Re: "Double-dipping"
CoopWright@AOL.COM
Wed, 30 Dec 1998 10:52:23 -0500 (EST)
Bill and all:
Thanks for all the discussion concerning double dipping. I think one of the
positive aspects of the Venturing program is that a young person CAN count
part of his or her leadership time in other activities OUTSIDE of Scouting
towards advancement towards the Gold award. If you read the Gold award
leadership requirement, it says "the candidate must have been an active member
of the Venturing crew, and served in one or a combination of leadership roles
within the past 12 months (roles may be concurrent) as follows" and it goes on
to describe leadership roles within and outside the crew. Only the Silver
award requires leadership within the crew.
If we go back to the goal of the Venturing program, it is to "provide
experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become
responsible and caring adults". The young people that I am fortunate to work
with are extremely active in church, theater, sports, academics and other
activities. Do these activities contribute to the Venturing goal of becoming
responsible and caring adults? I think that they do. I have always felt that
Scouting was somewhat myopic in its view that leadership could only be counted
if it was done in the troop. I volunteer my time to work admissions in our
area for the United States Military Academy. They are looking for young men
and women who are well rounded in their activities. If you made Eagle Scout,
that would be great. But if that is it, that will not be enough. Scouting
is just one part of a young person's life, What else have they done in their
community, church and school?
As an advisor, I am going to try to focus on the goal of building responsible
and caring adults. If I can do that, hopefully I will have succeeded.
Cooper Wright
Advisor, Crew 1519
Alexandria, VA
