tyke

Thanks for the interesting discussion. The fun loving youth leader being derived from a pastor is very different from the UK, as kids don't go to church (UK church going is around 10% of the population but this is in decline with it expected to be around 8% by 2025 as the older people die off and arn't replaced with 45% of people under 25 say they have no religion). So they are never going to meet there pastor, let alone do any fun things with them. Scouting UK is a strange place too regarding uniforms, as lots of the 'old guard' like the kids to wear full uniform at all times, nicely ironed. where as lots of the newer leaders and the uk commissioners prefer a more modern image, neckers and hoodies.

As a gay, atheist scout leader that has 3 girls in his troop it does feel a bit random reading some of the comments here. Scouting in the UK has had an open to all policy for years where no one is left out and I believe scouting has benefited for it. I bet if any of the scouts came to over to our troop they'd not see much difference, we still go camping, play with axes, knives, fire, play rough games etc. As an outsider looking in the BSA seems to come across as very serious, conservative and stuffy, if you look on the website the head scout is wearing a suit, in the UK anyone from scouting that appears in the media, including the chief scout, never wears uniform its generally a necker and hoody, and this is backed up by the media policy given to all leader to encourage a more relaxed atmosphere, as the stuffy image of tucked in ironed shirts puts kids off. It seems to be working as scouting UK is growing not declining.

Which is a shame

Yep it's all about the kids, and having fun

not trying to press buttons, I thought i'd say hello and write a bit about me. I run the troop with my partner, the kids really don't care, the parents all know and don't care either, in the UK its a none issue. I'm a rock climber and down hill bike racer too . I do find it interesting reading some posts on here, which are so different to the uk, but equally there are posts that are the same with leaders looking for help and advice, mostly about the kids

Gay, Atheist scout leader from the UK, saying hello and seeing how scouting is done in America )

the border guard sounds like a complete tool.

Scouting UK works really well without the need to make any oath to god or even be religious.

thats well ****, we sometimes have parents turn up a little late, but 12 hours.