TeamOutsider

Sounds like you're saying they need to change the stated Mission and Vision of the org: "Scouting America will prepare every eligible youth in America **to become a responsible, participating citizen** and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law." https://www.scouting.org/legal/mission It's fine if you think that, but understand Citizenship is a CORE part of the Vision, so it's a MAJOR suggested change.

I'm a "Life for Life" that got to 19 MBs. The primary ones I missed were the Citz in Com/Nat/Wrld. If you had your way, I'd probably be an Eagle today, but I still respectfully disagree with you. When I review those requirements now as an adult - I disagree that I got the same experience in high school (which I did finish). I did not: Citizenship in the Community: - learn the history of my community (req 1) - "Attend an in-person meeting of your city, town, or county council or school board, local court session; OR another state or local governmental meeting approved in advance by your counselor. " (req 2) - "volunteer at least eight hours".... at a" charitable organizations outside of Scouting" (req 7) - "Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community" (req 8. ) ...and that's just the 1st of those badges. I'm happy to drop it and agree to disagree - but my experience has been different from yours, and I believe there's value in all 3 of the current Citz. MB's. Edit: After I posted this on a re-read, I want to acknowledge you did say "Citizenship in Community provides value and is often missed in school". So we're at least in agreement on that. Thank you.

I get the sentiment of the opt-out idea, but in practice it's not a great idea. It would be abused. Also... if it's covered in school - it should be that much easier to knock it out for Scouts, and the refresher doesn't hurt to know that "An Eagle definitely covered this topic". That's my $0.02.

Please understand that Scouting America (founded 1910) and "Girl Scouts of the United States of America" (founded 1912) are two entirely separate / disconnected orgs - both of which are offshoots of the current "The Scout Association" (founded 1907 by Baden Powell) in the UK - formerly "The Boy Scouts Association" until 1967, when THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM dropped "Boy" (https://www.scouts.org.uk/) Let me repeat that year: 1967. Almost 60 years ago. If Scouting America created their own version of "Girl Scouts", then GSUSA would sue Scouting America into the ground. They are 2 different orgs with different agendas. Scouting America has decided to follow the path the ORIGINAL scouting org started almost 60 years ago to NOT divide people based on who they are, but to include EVERYONE equally as "Scouts". Even BSA allowed Girls to join Explorers as far back as 1971!!! They didn't create "Boy Explorers" and "Girl Explorers"... they were just "Explorers", like now we're just "Scouts". This has been the state WORLD-WIDE since the 1960s: - Scouting America is a member of the WOSM: World Organization of the Scout Movement (that purple patch we wear) (https://www.scout.org/) - The Scout Association of the UK is a member of the WOSM (purple patch) - Girl Scouts of the USA is NOT a member of the WOSM, they are part of WAGGGS - they don't wear the purple patch (https://www.wagggs.org) WOSM was originally "The International Conference of the Boy Scout Movement", but they ALSO dropped "Boy" in 1961 - 6 years before the ORIGINAL PROGRAM dropped "boy". WOSM is NOT a "boy only" international group, and hasn't been for 65 years. Chances are, this is when you were very young or before you were born. This is not some "new democrat party woke conspiracy" that many conservatives try to imply (unless the conspiracy started in the 60s in England... I suppose?). It's part of the world-wide Scouting movement's values to INCLUDE EVERYONE, rather than DIVIDE PEOPLE.