Re: Arachniphobia in Scout

I have to agree with Linda St.Phillips on having understanding and
compassion for Scouts with phobias. Its good to have some practical
advice on dealing with the subject as has been offered, but this is one
of those areas that may exceed the skills of a Scout leader. Phobias can
be a serious disorder requiring professional therapy. Homegrown
solutions like confronting the fear are in the right direction, but can
backfire. Usually an assessment is required before determining how to
proceed. Therapy usually involves gradual change. Learning about the
subject of the fear. Getting closer to what causes the fear. Learning
how to deal with the fear. And in the case of an object getting closer
and eventually touching it. Similar to fear of flying classes, where
participants study flying, visit airports, sit in airline seats in a
class, go sit on a plan on the runway, sit in a simulator, and finally
fly somewhere.

When I was an ASM we had a Scout that was afraid of being closed into
small places (claustrophobia). Needless to say tents and camp outhouses
were a subject of much fear. He wouldn't sleep in a tent or sleeping
bag. Instead he laid out his bedroll in the open near the tent. He was
subjected to a lot "good-natured ribbing" but withstood it. The first
night was blessed with good old fashioned Hoosier Sunshine - about three
inches of it in an hour. He quickly took shelter under a dining fly that
managed to stay up, where he fell asleep (we had him very busy all day).
The next night the SPL rolled up the sides of the Scout's tent so that it
was pretty close to the dinning fly. Again the rain came. This time he
tried the tent. It got damp, but worked. At his own pace the Scout
gradually came to terms with the tent and by the end of the week the
sides, but not the front and back were unrolled. Progress! The outhouse
was another story. About Wednesday the signs of trouble were there -
abdominal pain and tight as a drum. A word to the cook (dining hall camp
then) saw to it that his patrol got prune cobler. The rest of the lads
ate a little slower, carefully pacing themselves. (This was the patrol
leader's idea) The Scout in question was known for his appetite and
quickly plowed through the meal and probably never tasted anything.
Well nature ran its course and prompted by immediate urgings his fear of
embarassment overcame the fear of the outhouse. Or so we judged by the
quick pace he set on leaving the dinning hall. After that he was okay.
He returned to camp a number of times and the problems he initially had
subsided. His was a mild case and we were lucky with circumstances and
boys who acted fairly well in the circumstances. In retrospect, it could
have gone wrong, but didn't. We did talk with his parents, who were
clueless about the problem - hadn't paid any attention to him. As a
result they worked with him and a local Scouter who was also a mental
health professional - brought the family a little closer in the process.

Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
DDC-Training, GW Dist. Nat Capital Area Council mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG

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