Re: Fw: LDS Scouting
GMarmet@AOL.COM
Sat, 30 Jan 1999 16:06:57 EST
I originally asked: << Can anyone give an example that is not LDS?
> > >>
And the question was directed to the "religious group Venturing". I simply
wondered about that part of the new Venturing program which consists of: Sea
Scouts and Venturers (which in turn consists of the old high adventure groups,
a few special interest groups (but presumably not career oriented special
interest groups) and "religious program groups"). In other words, finding
it very difficult to express myself properly, I wanted to know about these
"religious program groups" which are part of Venturing. And my specific
question was "Can anyone give an example that is not LDS?"
As I have had it explained to me, it is probable that these "religious program
groups" are not LDS things, but rather local churches or synagogues that may
have a young adult or youth program that wants to tie into Scouts for
insurance purposes or for access to Scout Camps.
As a matter of BSA policy I am unsure of how to respond to this idea, since I
do not get excited about others tieing into the BSA for insurance purposes or
for access to our Camps. We are after all not in this business to help local
churches fund their own programs, but to offer our program to local churches.
On the other hand, I cannot see a reason why a Venturer in such a program
would not have equal access to the Gold-Silver-Ranger rank track of Venturing,
so I guess I even wonder why there is a distinction made in the first place.
Certainly I am aware of Venture units that have no desire to get into the
Gold-Silver-Ranger track, and prefer to simply be like the, now old, High
Adventure Explorers.
Anyway the reason for this rant is simply that my original question has, in
past few weeks, taken on an entirely different tone. I respect the LDS Scout
program, and certainly did not intend any disparagement of it. I was just
trying to figure out who these "religious group" Venturers were.
Yours in Scouting,
G. John Marmet
ASM Glenview, IL
