99 years of Scouting in America

[night_watcher]

Hello, my name is night_watcher and I am a Boy Scout. Why is Scouting so taboo, at least in my community? For me to say I'm a Life Scout (which in US Scouting, is one rank below the highest of Eagle) is like saying I'm an alcoholic....I get a range of snickers to not caring. Fine, fine, but why? First, this week the Boy Scouts of America (or BSA for short) is celebrating 99 years. But for being in existence this long, I have yet ran into anyone that understands what the organization does. Well, we certainly don't help old ladies across the street, but rather we try to instill an ideal into the impressionable minds of boys. We also do community service and actually TRY to improve the world one good deed at a time instead of sitting on our butts and complain. So, this thread is two-fold! First, to celebrate 99 years. Second, I want to hear what people think of when they hear of Scouting and why.

[Techno]

Congratulations to Scouts for being so long in existence. The organization is not perfect, though no organization I know actually is. Despite the flaws in it, the motto and purpose is honorable. I would've like to be a Scout as a kid, though I never had the opportunity. Most of the skills learned in Scouts are handy, and the lessons learned are not that bad at all.

[ninja9578]

Ah right... "Always be prepared" *unless you're gay*

[night_watcher]

I dunno ninja....I've seen some gay kids at scout camp before.

[no-Name]

I only know one gay boy scout, and he has to keep it a big secret. Not a fan of BS, got up to the rank after webelo2, and jumped out because of shitty scout mates.

[ninja9578]

"I love being single, I haven't had this much sex since I was a boy scout leader." - Leslie Nielson in "The Naked Gun 2 1/2"

[night_watcher]

lol. Thats awesome ninja. And horrible at the same time. lol.

[metcalfracing]

Why is Scouting so taboo, at least in my community? For me to say I'm a Life Scout (which in US Scouting, is one rank below the highest of Eagle) is like saying I'm an alcoholic....I get a range of snickers to not caring. Fine, fine, but why? First, this week the Boy Scouts of America (or BSA for short) is celebrating 99 years. But for being in existence this long, I have yet ran into anyone that understands what the organization does. right. First up, "Why is scouting taboo" (I'll do this in list form to keep this short) -The boy scouts is a religious organization that doesn't allow gay people in. -This is also true for atheists, I have a friend who was kicked out for this reason. -The club is innately chauvinist and sexist. The fact that there have to be two different clubs for boys and girls is ghastly imo. Men and women have gotta learn to work together and you might as well start early. It's also no fair that the girls have got to whore themselves selling cookies. -The whole "God-and-country Scout Oath" is bullshit, how about we teach our children to strive to make the WORLD a better place, and without the implication that this can't be achieved without yahweh. -The uniforms are just rediculous and lead to school bullying. -Lastly, all activities are outdoors. Lots of nature experiences. No computer merit badges, and considering the way our country is moving, these skills are necessary at very least. ...rather we try to instill an ideal into the impressionable minds of boys. ... I'm sorry, but do you realize who messed up that sounds. Pushing your morals on kids that are too young to think rationally for themselves is wrong, whether you believe your ideas are the correct ones or not.

[ninja9578]

I have mixed feelings about the scouts. My grandfather was a scout leader, and did a lot of charity. However, they also have a very obvious antigay/rightwing agenda, which is very bad for society. They are a group primarily for blue collar children, and do activities like fishing and camping. I think children should be learning other skills at that age, like how to exercise and play sports. Especially with the problem of childhood obesity, that's why I often volunteer to referee / coach youth sports at the YMCA.

[night_watcher]

Heres the way I see it. First, yes, the right-wing agenda needs to go. But, a lot of the decisions in scouting is made at the local level. I got lucky enough to have a great troop. Again, I have seen gay scouts walking down the main trail in scout camp hand-in-hand. Year after year. Any decisions on kicking a scout out is made at the local level, and I disapprove of that. As for the Merit Badges, we do have sports and physical education. In fact, Personal Fitness is one of the Eagle Required Merit Badges. As with swimming, biking, hiking, ect. And, I do actually have the computer merit badge. There is talk of an Internet one as well. Well-rounding is one of the beliefs. http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badges Also, I am an atheist. My Scoutmaster knows this. Everyone in my troop knows this. And....I haven't yet been kicked out. We can't be kicked out by religion because there is no set religion in Scouting. My lack of belief can't kick me as being a Jew, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim can't get me kicked out. Yes, we do go outdoors a lot. I see no problem. It's like saying kids in school stay in the classroom too much. It leads to introspective. And leadership. "A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Curious, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent." This is what the BSA tries to impose upon our degrading society. I see no problem in any of these characteristics. Its the overall picture that I look at. Yes, I do disagree with the homosexual policy at the national level. But at the local level, so long as your Scoutmaster isn't an extreme conservative, there should be no problem. Mine is a staunch Democrat! There also IS a part of scouting for both males and females called Venture Crew. Are we perfect? No. Do we try to help people? Yes.

[magical mike]

Yeah, I am a boyscout also (Trying to come up with an eagle project idea, because I am life also). But yeah congrats to you, and the 99 years.. Some people dont understand, and some people think or know its brainwashing lol. I am just doing it so I can get all the attention, and to put it on my job applications lol..

[night_watcher]

Yeah, I am a boyscout also (Trying to come up with an eagle project idea, because I am life also). But yeah congrats to you, and the 99 years.. Some people dont understand, and some people think or know its brainwashing lol. I am just doing it so I can get all the attention, and to put it on my job applications lol.. Oh god yes is it useful on applications. And if you get into the military I think you get an automatic pay raise or rank advancement or something if you get Eagle. Brainwashing. Ya gotta laugh at how little some people know about scouting. As much as listening to your teacher is brainwashing. Good luck with your Eagle!

[ninja9578]

Oh god yes is it useful on applications. And if you get into the military I think you get an automatic pay raise or rank advancement or something if you get Eagle. Yeah, but why would anyone join the military? Don't the boyscouts also teach you about guns and stuff? No good can come of that, we're trying to get to the point of a society without guns, the boyscouts aren't exactly helping that.

[night_watcher]

I can't tell if you are being serious. That, or you have a weird sense of humor. We learn about how to safely cut wood. We learn how to safely use a rifle if you want to. We learn how to create a safe campfire. I will assure you, they are not training us to push society towards guns or training us to be mercenaries. Although, scouts have many survival skills that the military values, so that would be the reason that the military would want to have Eagle Scouts. We truly are not as radical as it seems you believe us to be.

[Xaqaria]

Yeah, but why would anyone join the military? Don't the boyscouts also teach you about guns and stuff? No good can come of that, we're trying to get to the point of a society without guns, the boyscouts aren't exactly helping that. Who is trying to get to the point of a society without guns? You say that like its a universal goal. I personally don't have much to say about the scouts because I don't really know anything about them, but knowing how to use a rifle is a useful skill no matter who you are or what your ideals are. Unless maybe you meant trying to get to a society without guns because they've been replaced with ion cannons and laser beams?

[ninja9578]

Who is trying to get to the point of a society without guns? You say that like its a universal goal. I personally don't have much to say about the scouts because I don't really know anything about them, but knowing how to use a rifle is a useful skill no matter who you are or what your ideals are. How so? Name a circumstance where I could possibly have the use for a firearm. Every gun nuts says that same thing: home invasion. The police are 15 minutes away, I have an alarm system and a dog. There is also no crime here because guns are outlawed with the exception of very hard to get permits. Maybe it's not so much a goal of the blue collar america, but white collar america, Europe, and Asia have no need for guns and constantly push legislation to get them outlawed. Gun nuts say that outlawing guns will increase crimes, but it's just like the republicans with the economy, they have no numbers to back up their claims. Outlawing guns dramatically reduces crime. Ergo, getting kids familiar with firearms in the scouts is a bad ideal. Even if the military offers pay raises for eagle scouts, if the kids spent more time doing things a bit more intellectual they would have the grades / intelligence to not need to join the military. I coasted my entire senior year in high school and I got into college just fine. Admittedly, I come from a more privileged background than many of you and I know that I see the world through a more upscale filter where military men at scoffed at and guns are seen as the toys of the underbelly of society. So sue me.

[magical mike]

Don't the boyscouts also teach you about guns and stuff? No good can come of that No, the BSA dose not teach about guns what you think. They teach about 22. cal. rifles.. Probably could only put someone in the hospital for 1 day.. (Unless shot in the eye or at close range in the head or something) The BSA teaches gun safety.. Trust me.. Guns are not going away in America (There may be a law soon, but that dose not mean criminals wont get guns).. So.. if America has a lay that says "No guns" or whatever. That means. Criminals can still get guns, Law abiding citizens will not have guns to protect them selfs. And the criminals will know this, and they will asult the law abiding criminals because they don't have guns to protect them selfs. In Switzerland (I think) Almost everyone has a gun, even some teens. Mostly hand guns on a belt or something as a means of protection. Now.. WIth that in mind, would you go into an alley way to rob someone? I sure wouldn't lol.. Yeah just look at BSA as something good for young men. Its life lessons that it teaches, and certian skills that will help in life. Like that eagle who was shot by that cho guy on that campus. How he saved his life, and some other persons life, becuase he knew First Aid or something. Someone should experiance boy scouts before they bring up alot of theories. (Not saying you are) I mean.. Look at this guy, do you really think he is going to be a mercinary? http://www.house.gov/deal/photos/Boy...0(Trenton).jpg

[night_watcher]

Ergo, getting kids familiar with firearms in the scouts is a bad ideal. First, I love how we turned this into a second amendment debate. Teaching kids how to use firearms is SAFE. Would you rather a child stumble upon a .22 and blow away their friend because they don't know how to use it? AND, this is besides the point! Scouting only provides the tools to knowledge, not an organization dedicated to pushing a gun-ruled world. Any anti-gun banter should be outside this thread. Even if the military offers pay raises for eagle scouts, if the kids spent more time doing things a bit more intellectual they would have the grades / intelligence to not need to join the military. I coasted my entire senior year in high school and I got into college just fine. Admittedly, I come from a more privileged background than many of you and I know that I see the world through a more upscale filter where military men at scoffed at and guns are seen as the toys of the underbelly of society. So sue me. A bit more intellectual? Are you calling us idiots? Its a good thing you aren't a bit elitist. I could ask you what contribution to society you are trying to accomplish, but I will not lower myself to your level. Personally, I do not look down on people or organizations because I happen to be upper-middle class. This does nothing for society. Please, a bit of research goes a long way! Though, I am glad you do not understand the concept of "doing a good turn daily." (Scout Slogan) This allows us to help others understand who we are and what we are about. Any more discussion about guns can occur outside of this thread, as can the overall topic of guns and children. I'm sick of getting off topic. Guns and Scouting, however, is perfectly fine. Thanks for not spamming.

[Siиdяed]

a child stumble upon a .22 This could only be considered a possible risk in a country that has legalised firearms. Good work. I'm involved in the Scouting Organisation. Don't much care for their God and the Queen angle. Will probably die out soon.

[night_watcher]

Cool! A Scouter from not America! Oh, I do believe Scouting will change, just as the times do too. But its amazing how solid the message has been all these years. I heard a recording of Lord Baden-Powell (Founder of Scouting just about 100 years ago, and I probably messed up his name.) and its amazing how much the message of helping others has remained solid. Take that politicians, we can at least keep our message straight! :p Do you happen to know how old the World-Wide Scouting Movement is? I know the BSA is 99, but didn't we celebrate 100 years worldwide a little while back?

[Siиdяed]

Baden-Powell was training mindlessly patriotic, church-going boy soldiers. I felt patronised throughout my time as a scout. The message now is wishy-washy where it isn't archaic. I like being a Young Leader, though. Misplaced sense of authority.

[night_watcher]

Ah crap. Its worse than they speculated! Forget being killers, we are now being trained to be politicians! I'm sorry you felt patronized as a scout. I'm glad you stayed on as a Leader, though. But, as I said before, its really mostly at the local level here for how you are treated. If you have good Leaders, then your set. If not, you are screwed. Really, though, thats exactly how life is. If you don't have good authority, then you shall blame the institution. Oh, and the recording I heard was late in his life, I think his last recording. After his warrior days.

[Siиdяed]

I'm taking the system down from the inside. Wish me luck.

[Amethyst Star]

I have good friends who made Eagle Scout. They value what they learned and I'm glad that there's something to get kids outside and learning something they might otherwise not learn. If they really enjoy it, so much the better! During the forthcoming zombie invasion, I'd rather work with a Scout than a(n average, non-ninja) Java programmer.

[Siиdяed]

During the forthcoming zombie invasion, I'd rather work with a Scout than a(n average, non-ninja) Java programmer. You will regret this when the only feasible solution to removing the zombie threat is a carefully composed Java program to reboot and activate the underground Tokyo robot army (whose original programming was destroyed in the first zombie wave somehow). As opposed to tying knots and lighting fires. These skills are not applicable.