Unrelated Male on Overnight

Lorie,

How soon is this event? Before you go, attempt to MEET this person. Does
he have any scouting experience of his own? Watch him interact with this
boy. See if the boy behaves for this young man. Boys will behave for some
people and not for others, ask me I KNOW! Sometimes, young boys will behave
better for an 18 yo than they will for their own mother, scout leader, etc.
(I've got one!) If the boy will NOT behave for this boy, I would STRONGLY
suggest to the mother of the boy that you just don't think it would work.
Suggest she find someone else. Considering that the boy in question has a
"reputation" you would probably be hard pressed to get any other parent to
"adopt" the boy for the sleepover. Whether or not you can/should deny this
boy this experience is not something I want to get into. But, I would also
suggest a conference with the parents/boy about expected behavior. And,
make sure they know that they will be expected to come and pick him up (even
if its 2 AM) if he is causing a disturbance to the others. {This in and of
itself might be enough to make the boy behave for the night.} I don't want
to suggest that the threats and consequences should be so overwhelming that
the boy doesn't even think about going. But, you also don't want to let him
ruin one of the best events for the rest of the unit, either. As for youth
protection, have all the parents in your unit viewed the tape? If not, take
this opportunity to have a second viewing. Invite ALL people who plan on
attending the sleepover to come to this viewing. (Have refreshments, door
prizes, whatever it takes to get them there.) Get medical power of
attorneys and permission slips, maybe tell them a little bit about what goes
on at the sleepover. Give out packing lists, tell them about other sites in
the area they can go see. But, when all is said and done, if you DON'T feel
comfortable with the situation, you shouldn't be forced into it. Good Luck
with the event.

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