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There's hostility on every forum. Towards every conceivable demographic and category. This forum is very civil and polite vs most forums that I've been on. There are a few members that like to stir up hostilities, but thankfully they aren't regular contributors. Now I'm on my soapbox, so feel free to just skip the rest of my post. There has always been In group- out group status in people. The last couple decades have really stirred up "identity politics." This case from DC over the weekend is just the next chapter. The initial report was reported as a cut and dry case of racism, and hara

I largely agree with @sst3rd. My letter would be something like: Best of luck!

Eagle, at the risk of repeating what someone else said: You owe no explanation. And anything you provide will be a) twisted in meaning by the parents and b) viewed as encouragement for further engagement. People like the parents in question thrive on toxicity. Yes, it's cathartic to type it all out. But to actually send anything rational? It's a hill not worth taking. You'd be throwing your pearls to the swine. Recommend no reply at all, or a short reply such as "I wish you the best in all of your future endeavors."

Did the person ask you directly? In email? Face to face? Through someone else? I think that short and vague is the way to go, if you choose to reply at all. Something like, "My family has had X great years with Troop XYZ. Recently we've had struggles with campouts and other activities. (or other brief but not-too-specific or accusatory phrase of your choice) It was a difficult decision, especially with our long history and many friends in the troop, but it was the right time for us to move on and we are satisfied with that decision. We wish everyone in Troop XYZ all the best.

Even shorter.... Her: “I heard you left the Troop because of me, is that true?” You: “Yes” The letter was great, but probably better for the SM and CC vs a parent; however, I think I remember you already talked with them and they have responded. For her, you can simply say the Troop was not aligned with the primary mission of Boy Scouts, even after attempting to change it, so you sought out a Troop that was. I am concerned that there are many others like her (both men and women) joining scouting....

I'm glad you got it all off your chest, but If i was the recipient, I don't think I would even bother reading the entire email. Talk about a long winded response. You are no longer a leader of the old troop, it is not your responsibility to explain yourself to anyone in that unit.

This whole affair could be made into a very frightening episode of "The Twilight Zone."

Hostility toward white people in this forum? I have never seen it. It has always been my assumption that the vast majority of members of this forum are "white." (I am using the broad definition of "white" here.) That is partly based on the fact that to my knowledge, ALL of the people who have chosen to have a photo of themselves as their avatar appear to be white. I am not sure that anyone has ever identified themselves as being other than "white," with the possible exception of The Latin Scot who has identified himself as Latino (which doesn't necessarily mean he isn't or is "white") and I

You never have to lie or mis-represent, but neither do you need to explain things in detail. The best separations are short and gracious. AND, even more so if you are upset with each other. If you feel the need to share, do it face-to-face. Use it as a chance to heal and to re-build a connection with the other person. But if your intention is to not heal and re-connect, then just don't do it.

Thanks folks. Yes. I don't think she would get it. And yes. she is the type to retaliate. But just writing the that out was cathartic.

So one of the parents that caused problems wants to know if it was true I left because of her. I wrote a letter and was going to send it to her. Just typing the letter was closure. I am now debating whether to actually send it. Not because I am concerned about any confrontation or what not. But because I do not think it will make any difference. I do not think she will read it, and if she did, she would ignore it anyway. But I am going to share for your thoughts. XXXXXXX, Leaving a troop is never easy. You invest so much blood, sweat, tears, time, and treasure. Invaluable friendship

Our local council sent out an email that included info about an upcoming Powder Horn event. As I read the announcement, it became clear to me that their Powder Horn event is destined to frustrate more scouts than it will excite. The reason can be summed up in 2 words: BO RING!!! Here's what they're telling folks about their event.... "... Would you like to expose your troop, crew or ship to rock climbing, Dutch oven cooking, geocaching, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, firefighting, search and rescue, trekking in a different countries, mountain biking, fly fishing, ca

You must send the letter in order to have any chance of closure. That way you will know that you have done everything that you possibly could do to help right the course of Troop XX. Not sending your explanation will bolster the Webelos 3 mentality, "I asked him for an explanation, and he never got back to me. So he must have had personal reasons." Retaliation? These folks have driven you from your home troop. What could they possibly do more?

There have been women Scout Executives for a long time (although out of 250+ Councils, a relatively small number), but recently, a number of women have moved up in the organization. Wendy Shaw was promoted to National and runs the Membership and Program groups. Sharon Moulds mentioned above is in her 3rd council as SE and was also an area director with national. And there is now a woman on the BSA top leadership cabinet for the first time in history. Saw a list of Scout Executives hired in the last 4 years and it's a very good picture of diversity. Many more Hispanic and African-American

I keep a list of cool camps that I can occasionally mention to my son and his friends and let their minds wander and dream. There's cool programs at the 4 established BSA High Adventure camps (like Dog Sledding at Northern Tier, Scuba treks at Sea Base, and Cavalcade horse treks at Philmont), and there are cool, unique high adventure activities offered by various councils. A few of the coolest sounding council-run high adventure activities include.... Sea Kayaking through the Apostle Islands in northern Wisconsin (Northern Star Council), see: http://camptomahawk.org/apostles)

No doubt we have and that is going well - they dont always know what other troops do and love to hear other cool ideas. Then if they want they can take on those items too.

Your write-up is more succinct, but I doubt it would be received well. I fear it would further burn bridges.

They told you what they want to do, let hem do it. Another thing that may help, have them plan a patrol trip just for them. My old troop had a yearly AT backpacking trip with criteria: First Class or higher, and do a prep trip. That really got folks going and kept them motivated.

After reading this and taking a bit to think it over, I sense your frustration on the entire situation. This has been building up for some time it seems. I can relate to much of what you mentioned as I spent 30 years in scout units supported by the military. Many adults tried to apply military standards and discipline into the troops. Luckily, there were always a few of us that could reel them in. We were lucky that way. With military-supported units, we had turnover of leaders and boys every few years to refresh the unit. If you are going to send this letter, it should be kep

Great letter, but, as you said, it was probably more helpful to you than to the intended recipient. Thanks for sharing it. I think we can all see snapshots of some things we as adults in Scouting have experienced.

I share a great deal with your perspective on how things should be. A lot of echos on things I saw going on in my sons previous troop. It took about a year for me to really see that no one else really cared for any feedback and the majority of the adult leadership were still Cub oriented and I was the minority. I just took to clamming up and keeping myself as much at a distance as I could from the adults, while still trying to be helpful to the youth. I endured another two years of it, and would have gone longer, but thankfully my son came to realize that how the troop was operating just w

Feedback might be a gift, but I'm not sure it'll be accepted as such.

Great explanation. You don't owe her that explanation, and as others mentioned, it likely will not change anything. Feedback is a two way street and the receiver in this case has shown no signs she's willing to receive that feedback. Again, you do not owe her an explanation, no matter how much she demands one. You don't owe anybody from the troop an explanation unless you like them enough to let them in on it. Do not worry about the Troop dying. Almost no institutions last forever. You made attempts above and beyond to help that troop, and the committee nor the Scoutmaster, or the

I think it is an eloquent explanation of what we should strive for in Scouting. I am not so sure I could do as well. I like the way you made it as anonymous as possible. I am sure the folks involved would recognize themselves, none the less. I would go thru it and remove even veiled references ("... his son.." make it "another Scout..." ). Personally, I would add a short introduction, and say " You asked me if you were the reason I left the Troop. There were several reasons. " and go on from there. I think I would send it. Some people need to be reminded of their own hum

Even shorter than @ParkMan's, I would say ... This is definitely one of those "less is more" situations.

Eagle94-A1, If you send it to her, I think she will read it, get fired up and retaliate. Maybe she'll just continue to mess things up in your old troop, but she'll find a way to respond. If writing the letter brings closure, then close it. I know you won't, but it was a thought. Your letter was eloquent, detailed, and masterful. But you still won't let it go. For the sake of your sanity, put all of your scouting time into the new troop. They really do need that passion that you show for scouting. Don't shortchange your new troop. sst3rd

Elvis is not dead, he's just left the building. Pity the poor youth of today, never having the opportunity to rock out with the KING of rock n roll... Wellllll, evidently they still CAN. I've recently learned that Elvis Presley's Graceland estate hosts an annual event where they welcome scouts and scouters to visit Graceland and earn some advancement while they do it. Details are here: https://www.graceland.com/scouts-rock-at-graceland

They literally do not have a vote. What they want is irrelevant. What the CO / COR / CC want is relevant

I have been to pro-life activities with teens. This is exactly what they are taught to do when confronted by hostile and aggressive opponents. Smile. Say nothing. Do nothing. Just hold your ground and say/do nothing until the police arrive. The boy might not have intended any disrespect. His so-called "smirk" might have simply been his attempt to smile (as instructed) while being faced with a very uncomfortable situation.

Maybe the Omaha Tribe should send out a letter of apology to let us know that Philips is not representative of most members of their Tribe. A better title for this thread might have been, Omaha Tribe elder harasses youth visiting the Washington Memorial.

It is my understanding that the boy in the video did not approach Nathan Philips, but was just holding his ground. Philips was the one who got in the boy's face. Philips apparently didn't like the boy's hat. Philips had previously held protests outside of the Trump hotel. He is no fan of Donald Trump or of the President's supporters.

Time to run this further up the food chain. I think you, your COR and your Chartered Organization head should contact your Council Executive and make that person aware of what is happening, and that this is happening with the blessing of one of their unit commissioners. There's no "dismissing" necessary. This person is not a registered adult, so there is no dismissal that needs to take place. And yes, you are correct, Scouts are not permitted to operate power tools per the Guide to Safe Scouting, "Age Guidelines for Tool Use and Work at Elevations or Excavations." You must be 18 or o

"The possession charge"? Why is he CM if he hasn't passed a background check? That's a non starter. Your posting is rather confusing so I can just assume this is really bothering you. I do understand. Yes, you need to get the council involved. If the DE doesn't respond then move it up. Call the Council Exec. If you're afraid of this meeting for your safety then cancel it. If you're afraid because of the confrontation then just talk to everyone and make sure you all agree to help each other out. Be brave. The bottom line is if the CC and CM don't get along then the pack will fail. You

Really??!?!? Are you serious? If they changed the Boy Scout book to add some pictures of girls and changed some pronouns you would have went nuts claiming they “changed the program”. They are adding a girls book with picture of girls and adding “she” instead of “he”. They did this in a separate book so they don’t upset the existing boys and their leaders... and that is now an issue? WOW! Perhaps we need to add trigger warnings to any BSA announcements going forward so existing leaders can go to their safe spaces prior to hearing such things like there is a scouts BSA book with pic

Yah, Porteiro, welcome to da forums! Your scout shop is correct, the old National Camping Award has been discontinued. It's been replaced by the BSA National Outdoor Challenge, which sorta ties in with the new Journey to Excellence program. See http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/Adults/Awards.aspx Also, the boys can individually earn the new National Outdoor Badges: http://usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/outdoor-badges.asp And they can earn the new National Medal for Outdoor Achievement: http://usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/outdoor-medal.asp Hope t