Female on campouts

Having been on Scouts-L for over 4 years, I generally reply directly to
the author of the posting but this time I feel compelled to reply to the
list as a whole in regard to females on campouts.
Upon reading Mr. Dorsey's message, I realize how fortunate I have been
in the ten years that I have been involved in Boy Scouts in that my
abilities have never been questioned in regard to my gender by both the
youth and adults in my council. I was specifically asked to become a
Boy Scout leader due to my extensive backpacking skills, my leadership
abilities and rapport with scouts. Many times over the years I have
expressed my thanks to my scoutmaster of Troop 100, a United States
Marine, for opening doors that have truly changed my life and made it so
much richer in meaning and depth. Over time I have attended summer camp
with the troop six years in a row, once being completely in charge due
to the military commitments of the scoutmaster. The older scouts in the
troop asked ME to be their assistant scoutmaster and most of them have
truly soared like eagles. Many have gone on to college but continue to
stay in touch with me during both proud and anxious times looking to me
for guidance. God in his infinite wisdom gave me only one birth child
but I have many sons of all sizes, shapes and colors and whom all have
come to my heart through Boy Scouts. My concern with your message is the
attitude of the scouts in the troop. Why do they have such a low esteem
for women? This is 1998. What will they do if they have a female boss
later in life? A female surgeon/attorney/minister? This is an issue far
beyond the realm of Political Correctness. Cramp their style on
campouts? Give me a break. I am the one generally behind shenanighans
at camp (including Philmont 2 years ago) with my goofy sense of humor
and love of laughter. To this very day I remember the wise words of the
very first scouting trainer I had who said to KEEP IT FUN and over ten
years, that is what I have endeavored to do in the program as I have
advised the many, many young men with whom I have crossed paths and sat
around infinite numbers of campfires. Judge a person on what is in
his/her heart not on the gender of the individual. NEVER EVER has my
heart been so filled with emotion as when my name was called three years
ago during my OA lodge's Vigil callout because this was a decision of
the YOUTH of the lodge. And so I continue in Scouts with a much more
serious mantle of responsibility on my shoulders as I work to promote
the finest youth program in the world.

Most sincerely,

Barbara Butler Long aka Mama Long and darn proud of it
Advisor High Adventure Exploring Post 221
Netami Ochquev Muscogee Lodge 221, NOAC 98 Adult Adviser
Bobwhite-in-Flight SE 604 District Award of Merit and
Silver Beaver
Not too shabby for an old woman

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