The trappings of Scouting
Beaver (xl23795@SWBELL.NET)
Thu, 15 Jul 1999 19:23:49 -0500
While I appreciate the fact that each and every Troop has its own
culture, I am somewhat concerned that Scouting has become "what we have"
more than "what we are." A Troop can have very little in the way of
equipment and it can still have a great outdoor program. If a Troop has
tons of money and wants to buy a bunch of equipment, I suppose that is
O.K. However, it's not necessary.
If I could wave a magic wand over Scout land, here is my view of how
available Troop cash would be spent. "Available Troop cash" means cash
in the Troop treasury, cash available to Scouts and cash available to
leaders.
Number One - Everybody, including the leaders, would own and proudly
wear a full and complete uniform. This and the Scout Handbook are the
most important pieces of equipment we own. If a Scout doesn't have a
full and complete uniform, buy one of these before a dutch oven. And
yes, this does include Scout pants or shorts (or BDU's or whatever).
Everybody looks the same, rich kids and poor kids, white kids and green
kids. I hope every Wood Badge course in the country continues the
tradition of the "stripped" uniform with no personal options.
Number Two - Advancement awards.
Number Three - A good Troop resource library (merit badge books would be
a small part of this library)
Number Four - Ground cloths for everybody.
Number Five - Good quality sleeping bags for every Scout and leader. A
bag that can actually be stuffed easily by a ten year old. A bag that
is designed for cold temperatures in the pertinent geographic area of
the Troop. Nobody likes being cold. You can't have fun if you're so
cold you can't sleep.
Number Six - A good quality, external frame backpack for every Scout and
leader. Everybody would use them to carry their gear and their share of
any Patrol gear. This is the physical fitness that Steve Hoar was
talking about in a previous post. He hit the nail right on the head.
Number Seven - Tons of binder twine
Number Eight - A good quality water purifier for every Patrol.
Number Nine - A lightweight stove or two for every patrol (not a two
burner Coleman type, a real lightweight stove).
Number Ten - A Troop flag.
Tents, trailers and tooters would only come after every now and future
Scout was so equipped. My Troop has a flatbead trailer that we dearly
love. However, we could get by without it and it wouldn't affect our
outdoor program.
No equipment would be made, purchased or taken that could not easily be
carried by a ten year old a half mile and then set up by him at a Patrol
campsite under the direction of a twelve year old.
Pots and pans? If you have to have them, go to garage sales and get'em
for pennies.
If a leader has to have a tent, let him buy it. If a leader needs to
have expensive cooking equipment, let him buy it. If a leader doesn't
want to walk and carry something on his back, let him come but don't
allow him to anchor the Troop or a Patrol down. Carry his stuff in for
him. Ask the Scouts to help you. They'll understand and they'll get to
rib an adult in the process. Get out and hike, canoe, etc. and set the
example. These are good ways to shed a few pounds. It's fun.
Now, as for leaders spending money on camping equipment as well as
taking time off from work, family, etc., I think it's whatever you want
to make it. I hesitate (no, shudder) to think how much Scouting has
cost me over the last several years. I don't begrudge one penney or one
hour spent on a boy.
I have friends who golf. I have friends who ride horses. I have
friends who have boats and lakehouses. I even have a couple of friends
with airplanes. But they don't have my Scouts. I wouldn't trade them
for all the gold in Fort Knox.
Do Scouting and don't be concerned about the trappings. I don't like
icing on my cake anyway. How about you?
See you around the bend.
YIS,
Dave Beaver
Scoutmaster
Mud Dogs 54
DeSoto, Kansas
