Re: Regarding Parent Participation At Summer Camp
Anthony Mako (ajmako@NLS.NET)
Mon, 2 Aug 1999 10:55:21 -0400
<Daniel Smith wrote>
I am crying Uncle on this one! I have received many responses on this
one, mostly in disagreement and all making good points. Some have
cited a need for so many adults to act as drivers, others say it is a
great way to get more adults involved and trained, and yet others cite
it as great family activity to promote family togetherness. All of
the above are good things but I question their value at summer camp in
promoting a boy-run program for boys, how this can help a boy learn to
think, make the right decision, and learn to act independently...
</Daniel>
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the gentleman from Georgia...
(sorry, been watching too much CSPAN recently). I really have to agree
with Dan on this one. It's hard enough for me to remember to "let the
boys do it" without having to keep a huge flock of adults from taking
over. I understand the need of some units to provide transportation
and such, but I think that's the only reason I would agree to having
that many adults in camp (I mean, what else would you do with them?).
Summer camp may provide opportunities for continuing adult training,
but it's not the place to give potential adult leaders a taste of
Scouting. Take them on a Dad and Lad, or Mom and Son campout. Take
them somewhere where you have more control over the program. This past
year we had three adults in camp with five Scouts (that's almost a 2
to 1 ratio). The adults spent the week trying to find ways to keep
from being bored because the SPL was doing his job. Several years ago,
I went to camp with 35 Scouts and three other adults. Once again, the
youth leaders did a good job running the troop. The other three adults
spent most of their time at the waterfront working on BSA Lifeguard. I
spent my week roaming around and going to meetings. I can only imagine
what would have happened if the entire troop would have gone to camp
(52 Scouts, 30 adults).
As for summer camp as a place to promote family togetherness, well
that one confuses me a bit. More often than not, I have seen parents
volunteer to go to camp to spend some time with their sons only to
spend most of the week with the adults. Their sons come to camp to
have fun and be with their friends, not hang out with adults (related
or not). As Dan said, and it bears repeating:
<Daniel continued>
... but I think it is vital that we remember that this is the Boy
Scout Program. In Cub Scouting, family participation is stressed and
required but when they cross the bridge into Boy Scouting, it is
supposed to signify a crossover into beginning to learn to act as an
individual and the whole basis of Boy Scouting is boy leadership of a
boy program ... Too many cooks spoil the broth.
</Daniel>
YIS
A. J. Mako, ajmako@nls.net , Scoutmaster Troop 381
Home of the Unofficial Win95 Boy Scout Desktop Theme,
http://members.aol.com/Scouts381/
Old Portage District, Great Trail Council, BSA
"I used to be an Eagle (C-7-97), but I'll always be an Eagle (1981)"
