HecticEclectic

Cubmaster Mike wrote:

The reason I give the youth for this restriction? Its simply not allowed.

Why? Because I value my time with you and dont want to share it with an LCD screen.

If thats not enough for the youth, then next time they can stay at home.

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Wow. Thank you. This is the most logical reason I've heard to date (not just in here) as to why electronics shouldn't be allowed on Scout functions.

Yes, technically, it is (supposed to be) different for Venturing Crews. THEY make the rules, the adults are no more than the BIC (Bad Idea Committee - this is taught in VLSC). Our jobs are little more than making sure that the G2SS is followed, an no laws are broken.

BUT - as Advisor, I can advise, and set guidelines.

For our Venturing Crew, I think a fair compromise can be reached.

To Narraticong:

I agree with you 100%. I have zero problems with electronics, when used on personal time.

Let them bring anything they want. It's all about MODERATION. I could care less if they want to tune out during downtimes, but I DO enjoy seeing a bunch of teenagers sitting at a table together all playing cards, or a board game...and really interacting with each other.

I'm sad when I see the one or two holed off in a corner, plugged into headphones and playing a hand-held game. What is it about this kid that makes him want to isolate himself from the others?

If a youth is going to pay money - and usually quite a bit of money - to come to a function, then I feel something is wrong if he is continually shut-off from the others... walking around with headphones on... nose in a game on his cellphone, etc... I mean, why go at all?

Isn't that what Scouting is about? Learning and Experiencing outdoors etc etc? Let the youth have their technology, but draw the line - lay out limits....

... or have THEM lay out - and agree to - their own limits. Work for a compromise.

John-in-KC writes:

Have the youth members write it. If you write it, even if they vote on it, it's your rule and not their self-chosen custom.

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I didn't write it. My daughter, who was the crew president in the prior crew, found it on the internet. She brought it in, and they tweaked it (a LOT).

She used those old ByLaws to use as a starting draft for her new crew.

Stosh,

This is what I've been used to.

But in Venturing, they tell us we can't make these kind of rules for the youth.

Herein lies my original issue.

If any 'rule' is voted into the ByLaws by the youth, then it can be enforced, and will. Yes, some of the youth DO feel that there does need to be something in writing, so that it won't be an issue in the future.

I received a tip from someone in a very functional, old Crew, who suggested that we also put into the ByLaws, that the Crew members are all allowed to "police" each other, without going to President... or ultimately the Advisor. That way it's not really a big deal for Crew member to say to another, "hey dude, put away the head phones..."

Remember, that paragraph that I quoted came from another Venturing Crew's ByLaws, that were voted in unanimously. But then again, that crew was run by an Advisor that wanted to ban everything, everywhere. Our founding members tweaked that paragraph a bit, then we got busy doing other things and never formally voted on locking the entire ByLaws in.

I like your idea of making it event specific.

"Also, please DON'T put such rules in your bylaws. Create a separate policies document and place them in that."

This sounds like a much better idea - thank you.

The founding members of the crew actually wrote those.

The original - a sample - was given to them, they added and took away.

This is how the electronics 'policy' reads in our Crew ByLaws that will voted on in the next couple of weeks. These were not in effect this past weekend. I see it as a fair compromise.

Electronics: Our Crew has accepted a minimum electronics acceptance. Small electronics such as mp3 players, radios, hand-held games, etc. are permitted only in personal tents/cabins after lights-out, during personal down-times or traveling. Acceptable electronics must have personal earphones and must not be heard by any other Crew member. Volume of earphones will be set so a Crew member is able to hear outside voices. At no time will a Crew member carry personal electronics while engaged in a Crew activity. Cell phones are permitted but must remain on silent during Crew activities. While cell phones are an excellent way to maintain contact with friends and the folks at home, over-use can interfere with a youths ability to interact with the Crew and its activities. Please restrict cell phone use to absolute necessary (emergency) communication.

Wow I love this! I showed it to both of my teenagers and they were amazed

Thanks for sharing!

My daughter is a VOA officer in our council, she plans to bring up the text contest idea

I really appreciate the feedback - it helps me get my own head into the right place -

I LOVE these ideas!! "Text Trivia" - send the answers to the front table, first one in gets the point. Waaay too funny!!

Thank you again everyone -

In all actuality, I sit in the middle of the road on this. This is the 21st Century and youth today connect themselves via electronics. We adults use our texting to locate each other and meet up. I've texted my daughter to double check where she wanted the Crew to meet, etc...

I've been around units that range from a parent wanting to 'report' me for letting 3 cub scouts (who arrived at a campout an hour early, and it was pouring rain) to sit in my van and watch a movie while they wait for their friends.... and a Venturing Crew meeting where all youth are required to turn off their cell phones and leave them on a table by the door...

To...

A boy scout troop where the boys brought their X-Box to summer camp. (they never let that happen again, though!)

I don't have a problem with electronics unless they interfere with the youth's ability to "do what they're there for"

This past weekend was a Council event. As far as activities go, we were at the mercy of what had been planned. I didn't like seeing a group of 3 girls isolate themselves at every opportunity and sit in a huddle and text their friends. Getting them to put their phones away and interact was a chore.

I didn't like seeing a single male youth walking around plugged into headphones the entire weekend. I didn't like having to say his name progressively louder, in order to be heard over his music. Shouldn't there be something in G2SS about that?

We've been a Crew for a little over a year, and this is the first time it's really been an issue. We just want to try to make sure it doesn't become one again.

"Put into the bylaws a law that says the program activities must be more engaging and exciting than text messaging."

HAHA excellent! Too bad this was a Council Event! I guess we'll know next time.

I agree, the activities must keep them busy enough to simply not want to sit in a huddle and text.

...and since there is nothing in the G2SS about personal electronics, then we are at their mercy

However, when one of the boys is walking around the function with headphones in, and another leader walks up to him and tells him to put away the electronics, how should he respond?

(again, this is the same Council Venturing/Exploring event)

I'm sorry if this topic sounds nit-picky, but a situation rose this weekend and it's time for me to do my homework...

I'm a Crew Advisor for Venturing Crew that's about a year old. We were at a Council sponsored event, and we had two youth with us as guests, who are possible members.

As any adult that's come up through Scouting (I started as my son's Tiger Cub Den Leader), the rule of "no electronics" has always been present. Sure, accommodations can and have been made through the years, but it's always gone without saying, "use your phones and your .mp3 players, etc during the trip, but not during the function".

I've had a modified version of that (since my son is special needs and uses his .mp3 player to play ocean music to fall asleep by)... We've said "as long as it's personal down time, in tents etc, it's okay..."

But this past weekend, one of the female youth guests texted on and off all weekend, which two of her friends (members) took that ball and they did it as well. We told them more than once to put their phone away.

We've decided that this issue needs go to into our ByLaws (which is in the works) but ... since it's Venturing, they really get to decide and I cannot find anything, anywhere in BSA that addresses personal electronics.

IS there anything, anywhere?

If these crew members actually vote that they can use personal electronics, CAN THEY? Are we adults at their mercy on this?

Help, please...