From: golden cliff (c60clg1@CORN.CSO.NIU.EDU)
Date: Tue Jun 13 2000 - 17:29:01 CDT
In 1988/1989 the BSA changed the "Adult Male Association" method to
"Adult Association". They removed gender restrictions from all BSA
leadership positions.
In our troop I welcome any adult who believes in Scouting, believes in
boys, and is able to interact with them in a positive way.
I think Scouting is about providing positive experiences that allow boys
to find their strengths, abilities, and their true self. They learn about
teamwork, responsibility, self reliance, confidence, service to others,
achievement, pride, and integrity. They learn to set and achieve goals.
They learn to appreciate and respect nature. They learn to be caring
tolerant people, who have the courage to stand up for their beliefs.
I've never known any of those things to be exclusive to either gender.
The greatest value of Scouting is about what comes from inside them. Much
of what they learn comes from things they find within themselves rather
than anything we do or say. Scouting is about them. We provide positive
influence and opportunities to support their growth, but it's their
discovery through experiencial learning that makes it all worthwhile.
I have men and women who believe in Scouting and the opportunities it
provides. They believe in the boys in our troop. I think those are the
most important requirements I look for in an adult leader.
I have women in my troop that canoe, backpack, rock climb, snorkel,
snowshoe, sail, etc. They've helped lead trips to summer camp and high
adventure trips. We couldn't operate our program without the support of
our leaders, both men and women.
Having both male and female leadership has not been a problem for the
boys. They accept it as being part of our normal operation.
I feel very appreciative of all the adults who support our troop, both men
and women. I need them, so do the boys. It works fine for us.
That's my $ .02 worth.
YIS,
Cliff Golden
Scoutmaster Troop 33
DeKalb, Illinois
