(SPIN OFF topic) competing programs
Roman J. Smith (Roman.J.Smith.13@ND.EDU)
Wed, 16 Sep 1998 07:40:07 -0500
Tim Hewitt wrote:
>Donald R Izard wrote:
>>
>> OK - question - since I believe it was Boyce - a YMCA type person
>> who was a major force in founding BSA - why have the 'Y" programs
>> over the years, created "indian GUides" program and nation wide
>> youth camps that NOW compete with BSA and GSUSA for the same age
>> kids?
>>
>> Scouter Don
>
>OK. I give up. Why?
>
There are many competing programs out there, and each program fills a need
for a specific boy or girl. My boss was an Indina Guide as a youth and has
fond memories of it. My daughters never were in scouting, but have spent
many summers at our area Y camp. My oldest daugher found a special
intersest in Equestrian at camp which she hopes to continue in a college
Equestrian club. She is also interested in working on the camp staff next
summer. Both of my daughters were on the Y swim team. My son and youngest
daughter played Y t-ball.
Scouting is not for everybody. The Y, Boys and Girls clubs, 4H, Junior
Achievement, and other programs each teach life skills. Not everybody
wants to spend a night in the woods. Not everybody wants to go white water
rafting.
I was a Cub scout for 2 years, never went on to Lions, (I date myself). I
spent my high schools years as a member of my parish youth group. This was
a youth run club from the ground up, and my reflections on it are important
as I watch my scouts struggle with running their program. It was not
scouting, but I had some of the same opprotunities to learn to organize and
work with peopel who did not like each other some days. It fit what I
needed at the time.
I have always thought that competition is good for the consumer and the
program developers. Gee if we were all alike, we may all just be playing
youth hockey instead of camping in January.
Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting offers a special way to develop boys and
teach life skills. It may even be the best way. But it will only be the
best way if we are forced to keep evaluating our program and measure it
against other bench marks. We need the other organizations to fill the
gaps we can not fill, and keep us in tune to what needs others have that we
may find a way to help fill them.
YiS
-----------------------------------
Roman J. Smith
University of Notre Dame
(219)631-4624 Fax: (219)631-8223
E-Mail: roman.j.smith.13@nd.edu
------------------------------------
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 505
-I used to be an Owl
Committee Member, Ship 505
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
