13 July 2008
The Reality of Scouting
Posted by admin under: policies .
Dan Lyksett writing for Wisconsin’s Leader-Telegram states that there are deficiencies in the programs of Boy Scouts and even Girl Scouts in his article “Boy Scouts’ pledges ignore realities of everyday life“. His biggest personal issue with the way Scouts apply the program is the duty to God. Mr. Lyksett believes that because individuals have variations in the religious beliefs throughout their lives, the Boy Scouts of America should not have a duty to God as a core value.
For some reason, Mr. Lyksett and others like him feel that their personal beliefs that don’t agree with the stated values of the Boy Scouts of America should supersede the program that has existed for almost a century. He sounds like some members of various Christian denominations that acknowledge the positive impact of their faith, but would rather not have to live by all of the rules so they want the denomination to change to suit their own desires.
There are a host of magazines and books to teach outdoor skills. Values are always able to be communicated by family. What Mr. Lyksett seems unwilling to acknowledge is that the Boy Scouts of America is as successful as it is because of the values it has, not in spite of them.
Two other small quibbles with his article are that he looked up in his old Boy Scout Handbook how to tie a “blow-line” knot (I’m assuming he meant a bowline) and that Boy Scouts of America does not allow girls in it when in fact girls 14 and over are allowed to join a BSA Venture Crew.
The reality of Scouting is that the program teaches skills, leadership, and helps reinforce the values of the families in it. They are not only trying to meet the needs of contemporary boys and girls, they are succeeding.
- Religious But Not Churchy
- boyandgirlscouts.islam
- Any Questions, Girls?
- Same Mistake, Same Impression
- And Now a Rant from the Right
