fancyfelines

As a single mother, I was nervous about becoming involved in the scouting movement. Thankfully, I was welcomed into the fold with open arms in the Pack. The troop was a little less welcoming, but none the less, it is expected in Boy Scouts vs. Cub Scouts. Regardless, I have a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and mothereese to provide to a merry band of boys. This allowed an easy transition into the troop. Because of that, more leaders and specifically women, can see that anyone can offer something. Basically all parents are welcome and committees and subcommittees can be formed from that. Each committee shall be responsible for the initial phases of operation. For instance, if the boys have approved at the annual planning committee to have Activity A during Month B, then the parents can coordinate some of the activities in advance. Or some committees can be in charge of fundraising, complete patrol kitchens, etc. The range can be as wide as you want. Each troop is only allowed X number of Asst Scoutmasters (4 in our district), one scoutmaster, one chairman, COR, etc. Every one else would be considered a committee member. And you can be trained in that position just as any other. However, recently, there has been some changes in policy towards parents spending more active time with the boys, like on overnights and resident camp. Youth Protection is probably the most single important training that all parents should attend. To become a leader, you do need to be "approved" by the committee and signed off by the COR/Chairman. And hopefully, your council also conducts routine FBI, state, and local background checks, if not the chartered organization. Our council requires that anyone attending resident camp must be a registered leader with current Youth Protection. From what I understand, the National office will now require all councils to conduct these preliminary checks for the troop's overall safety, like starting this winter/spring. Granted all parents can offer something, but must understand the patrol method and that scouting is a BOY-Run Program and cub-scouting is a parent-ran program. Without learning these basic concepts, some involvement might be considered intrusive. My best advice, is to find a troop that works well for you and your boy. It is perfectly acceptable for you to scout out new scout groups. After all, most parents have their kids' heart in their best interest. JM Troop 209

First of all, I would like to say this website is very insightful for any leader needing any BSA information. Thank you. Secondly, in response to this issue,I find as woman scouter, that unfortunately we do have to take some extra precautions when it comes to camping with the troop. I strongly recommend that all leaders/parents in a troop read Guide to Safe Scouting and agree beforehand how to handle certain sleeping accommodations. This will avoid some problems that might occur. Having been on the majority of overnights for the last four and one-half years, I have always provided my own tent and personal gear. This allows the boys the fullest extent of their own equipment, and allows other women to attend an overnight without some of those very worries. However, in the last year or so, more mothers have taken part in overnight activities. It has come to the consensus that the committee purchase a tent, specifically for us women, since the majority of the male leaders sleep in one large tent. As our membership by leaders increases, male or female, it is important to continue that solution. With that said, resident camp has proven to be a challenge when I have attended camp three times in the last 4 years. The first year I was able to tent by myself in a wall tent provided at camp, and during the session, another female leader from our troop joined me for a few days. The second year, the campsite could not accommodate me within the troop's site, so I spent that session with another woman in another campsite from a different troop. This coming year will be interesting, pertaining to leaders sleeping in a cabin vs. wall tent. We have more women leaders attending than men. It has already been decided, if that does turn out to be the case, then the women will attain the cabin, provided that we are the only troop in a campsite. If there is not a huge significant number of women attending, then the camp itself will allow all women from camp to sleep in one/two cabins somewhere in the camp and not necessarily with our respective troop(s). Each council's camp shall have its own policies that must be followed. Regardless, winter camping vs. summer camping, shall always follow basic rules. Women: use discretion about clothing options, Be prepared for your own accommodations, and remember, that we, along with other non-classified leaders, are the guest. We women are setting the example to the boys, and must put our best feet forward to uphold all that Scouting signifies. We can still provide effective instruction while maintaining a sense of modesty amongst teenage boys. And yes, I do have a very small light in my tent, for dressing purposes, at which is placed appropriately as to not embarrass myself or others when changing. I encourage mothers to participate more fully in their young man's quest for Eagle. J.M.