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Scouters, I see, know and live your dilemma as well. I will keep my commentary short. If a mother doesnt teach her child to not play in the street, they may very well play in the street. If a father doesnt teach his son the dangers of guns, they may very well find out the consequences on their own. If their pastor doesnt teach the dangers of dealing with the devil, they may find out the hard way. Im not sure whos responsible for teaching sexuality. I certainly know that Im not too comfortable leaving it up to my local school district. I believe everyone is very aware of the BSAs stand o

I'm sorry, but I just don't have the time to read all the threads. However, it seems to me that it should be up to the tax payers of the individual school district to decide. Like all other referendums, it could be decided by a simple majority. There are many issues approved and disapproved this way. I believe a majority of Americans currently agree with the BSA. Further, I believe a majority of Americans believe the BSA is a healthy addition to their community. Since we live in a democracy, everyone is free to voice their opinion and vote. If a majority feels in favor, it ends the dile

Please understand, I am not attacking you or anyone personally, however, I believe most of the answers to your questions are very clearly printed in the current Boy Scout Handbook and have been a part of this program since the first printing, A Handbook for Boys. I get the feeling that people are trying to re-write the meaning of the Scout Oath and Law to fit their own personal needs, because the current meaning is not convenient to them. Just because something is difficult to live by does not mean that it should be changed to something of a lesser standard. You ask what specifically

OldGreyEagle, you know the BSA's answer to that one. Im sure they would be encouraging a youth-ran program. However, between you and me, I didnt get my troop and team from 0 to 45 by only allowing the boys to run it. Theres nothing wrong with the 16 year old Scout running the crew, but remember you have a lot more knowledge and experience. I suggest either sharing your ideas and getting them to buy into it or just do it yourself with the other leaders (at least initially). Work the program around their schedule and make it cool, fun, adventurous, exciting, and before long, theyll be knock

Listen, if you want to think that defining what being trustworthy means is open to a lot of interpretation, thats fine, just dont come around my troop. There is a very clear line when it comes to trust with my Scouts. If I tell them, well ya know, I really could go either way on that trust thing, `cause it could mean oh so many different things, and ya know it really doesnt matter in the long-run anyway, after all who am I to say what trust is. Give me a break! Just what am I teaching them? It does them no service to say there are no absolutes. And their parents expect me as their Scoutm

Yeah, Mike is definitely right. You gotta have a program. And it cant just be the same thing they did as younger Scouts. It has to offer them more adventure. We started a Varsity Team for our older boys. We do activities separate and in conjunction with the troop. Ive got about 20 boys over the age of 14 in our program. They dont all come at once, well except for spring break when we normally do a big cross-country trip. You have to be understanding of their schedule and not make all-or-nothing demands. Work around their schedules and reference the school/athletic schedule when planni

Yes there is a Scout Executives Oath. Don't think you'll find it on the Net. Why don't you ask you local Executive? I'm sure they'd be happy to share it with you.

I used to endorse the full Class A uniform. At one time in my life, I was a camp director and program director. I always harped on my staff about setting the example. Then I noticed that we did not have one single troop in our council that wore the entire Class A uniform. I started an incentive program at our summer camp. Each troop that came to camp in full uniform would get free pizza instead of one of the regular meals. After about 2 or 3 years, we had about 5 troops in full uniform. Now however, I encourage all of my Scouts to go down to Target and get a pair of Dockers. After all,

As a member of Lions International, I strongly urge all units and Scouters in need of places to hold meetings to contact their local club. The Lions wholeheartedly believe in Scouting and support hundreds of troops across this great nation. Well, WoodBadger I disagree. I dont believe compromising is an option. The parents of my 45 Scouts had their kids join my troop because it fit with their values. I dont think our boys program is at stake at all. Unfortunately society seems to be forgetting what a family is. Remember the good `ol days when we used to eat together and pray together

Look folks, I'm not sure what side of the isle you sit on, but I'd have to say that the past 8 years haven't been very good morally for this great nation. But theres light now and I think were going to see some things turn around. All we need are people willing to stand up and fight. The ACLUs sole purpose is to attack anyone that has a mission different from their own. They think we all should just check our ethics, morality and membership guidelines at the door in the name of acceptance. When I say fight, I dont mean that we need to draw arms. Rather, we should be willing to stand up a

From a page on the Web- "Accordingly, the Agnostic Church seeks to discover the true nature of God, not excluding the question of whether God exists or not, by encouraging further scientific research and the gathering together (and integrating as a whole system of thought) of the entirety of knowledge known to all individuals throughout the universe." Now read page 54 in the current 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others. In other words: 1. There is a God. 2. Do

Hooray for all three posters! Im glad youre not attacking the United Way (UW). Overall it is a very good organization and has done a lot of wonderful things for communities. Unfortunately, like TheCommish says, there are a few people that know how to use the press. They are making it their job to advance their own political agenda by manipulating others. I believe what people need to do is 1. Promote the Good things that Scouting does. I constantly remind Scouters to submit positive news to the local papers and TV stations. Its a lot harder to wage a case against a group that p

You're wrong. Page 389 of the (current) 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook clearly states "bathe regularly- once a day if you can." I dont consider that open for much interpretation. As a Scoutmaster, do I monitor this? Yes- Not in person of course but in a manner consistent with the role of a Scoutmaster. Duty to God? Whats so subjective about page 54? It plainly states A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others. This is very consistent with what we teach, which is actually very un-subjective. 1. There is a

So are saying that because we live in America, (the greatest country on earth) that anything goes? Are you claiming that unless we agree with everyone, we are bigots, hateful and prejudicial? Are you trying to say that we are not allowed to have beliefs, values, and morals? Pardon me, but membership in the BSA is not a right, it is a privilege. How unfortunate it is that you should draw the conclusion that exercising a constitutional right to freely associate, as being un-American. Do you claim it is more American to tell other people what they should believe or think and who they

So are saying that because we live in America, (the greatest country on earth) that anything goes? Are you claiming that unless we agree with everyone, we are bigots, hateful and prejudicial? Are you trying to say that we are not allowed to have beliefs, values, and morals? Pardon me, but membership in the BSA is not a right, it is a privilege. How unfortunate it is that you should draw the conclusion that exercising a constitutional right to freely associate, as being un-American. Do you claim it is more American to tell other people what they should believe or think and who the