From: Alexandria Lone Scout (scouts_alex@HOTMAIL.COM)
Date: Sat Jul 29 2000 - 20:19:12 CDT
I support training but if it were to become mandatory in all situations it
would slowly kill the program. I've been associated with scouting since
1956. When I became re-associated with unit scouting in 1995 after being a
merit badge counselor for 20 years they wanted me to attend two basic
courses. Both were offered only on weekends. One of them required two
overnights (Fri-Sat) for no particular purpose except to sleep in a tent on
the ground and attend a passing out parade on Sun.
At the time I worked most weekends to maintain the family house and table. I
managed to get YPG at summer camp but SALT wasn't on offer.
I ended up finishing my stint as ASM and SM after five years without being
"trained" while producing 6 Eagle Scouts. I was willing to be trained and
made that quite clear but there needed to be classes available when I could
attend. Since everything was offered only on weekends and I was unable to
participate.
In our current situation overseas, requiring training would wipe out units
and kill the Lone Scout Program. The Direct Service Council hasn't made a
move in that direction which is good. If it did they might as well close
down because training isn't available. Unless basic training can be reduced
to a video (and freely lent) and/or made available in paper form, making the
training a requirement for registration would be onerous.
Yours in Scouting,
Phil Abbey
Alexandria Lone Scouts, BSA
Alexandria, Egypt
Email: Scouts_Alex@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.geocities.com/scouts_alex
American Scout Traders Association #3281
Vice President for Africa & Southwest Asia
U.S. Forwarding Address
(allow at least two weeks one way):
Philip R. Abbey AGOSD-ISPR
c/o Chemonics International
1133 20th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036 USA
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