Attacks on Ken Schneider
James Dooley (DooleyJ@USA.RED-CROSS.ORG)
Tue, 30 May 1995 17:16:42 -0400
Dear Readers of Scouts-L:
I have been reading your responses to Ken
Schneider's recent posting regarding
Scouting in the U.S., and I should have
posted this earlier. Ken, I'm sorry for the
trouble I seem to have caused you.
A few weeks ago, I asked (on behalf of my
Pack leaders who will be traveling to London
and Paris) for the addresses of Scout Shops
in those cities. Ken was one of those who
replied, quite graciously. He also reminded
me, in essence, that traveling around the
world buying things in Scout Shops is in
itself a poor substitute for traveling
around the world making Scout friends. I
agree with him.
When I read his message, I was embarrassed
for my posting, and I can't completely hide
behind the fact that I asked for the
addresses at someone else's request: it was
a question I could easily have asked on my
own behalf. I realized how easy it is for
me to visit gift shops instead of
experiencing the true values of the trip.
He then hypothesized for me why people might
be more interested in things than people, to
the extent that we may have been scared off
by the litigious culture in which Americans
live. Unfortunately, he phrased it in
Scouting terms, and unleased (I personally
feel) an unwarranted backlash.
If you've read this far, I hope you'll be
interested in my reply to Ken. I have his
permission to post it for the group:
"Ken --
"Thank you for the information. I will pass
it along to the Pack leaders who will be
traveling.
"There seems to be a lot of discussion right
now about the 'World Scouting' Badge, and
how it 'used' to mean something: actually
camping with Scouts from other countries. I
agree with you that collecting Scouting
friends is much more important (and
rewarding) than accumulating Scouting
paraphenalia. Although most if not all
Scouts would agree, I share your sense that
their attitudes belie their words. Perhaps
we can 'de-commercialize' by learning from
our fellow 'World Scouts.'
"I also share your sense that something
terrible has been lost, when 'trustworthy'
is a term that we no longer seem to believe.
"Thank you for all of your message."
I don't know Ken at all, but I appreciated
his message. It made me think, and perhaps
I'll be a better scout leader because of it.
Please stop the attacks. It pains me to see
you do this to a Scouting friend, especially
since I caused it.
Jim Dooley
Pack 350, Arlington VA
dooleyj@usa.red-cross.org
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
