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    • Tron
      It's about time that Scouting WOKE up

      By Tron · Posted

      For me the issue was a two point problem. First of all the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge requirements for Merit Badge Counselors were the most stringent and only MBC leadership requirements universally enforced in scouting. To council the merit badge you had to have your MBC training complete prior to the special MB train-the-trainer session, and you had to sign a special contract above and beyond the MBC requirements attesting that you would not add to, remove from, or steer, or alter the merit badge materials. A fine process; however, no such process for any other merit badge. The fact that national knows that the merit badge program is compromised with unqualified and incompetent councilors and did nothing to improve or ensure quality control on the rest of the merit badge program pissed me off.  Second of all the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge itself is the only merit badge without a test of knowledge or skill. As structured the merit badge simply did not have the legs to stand on to be considered a merit badge and never should have been in its structure and condition entered into the merit badge program.  This is the weak minded straw argument of the left. No one, not even Hegseth or any of choogy boys have said they want to kick girls out. What has been stated publicly and everything that has leaked has literally only been about concerns about political indoctrination and deviation from the true purpose of the program.  Trans kids have always had this dilemma. Scouting Americas policy has always been that registration must align to gender within the confines of the state and federal laws governing the geography of the area of the unit. This argument is a nothing burger, this is a no change. NOTHING IS CHANGING in regards to this for anyone in Scouting America.   This right here is actually part of the problem that Hegseth and his toadies are rallying against. The mission statement of Scouting America has somehow deviated quite a bit from our congressional chartered purpose [which is]:  That the purpose of this corporation shall be to promote, through organization, and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods which are now in common use by Boy Scouts. Our membership is down to 1946 levels. 50 years of experimentation and deviation from the core mission of the program led us from a membership peak of 4 million scouts in 1970 to 821,000 scouts in 2026. With the doors open to male and female scouts our membership should be at a new record level, not collapsing towards mediocrity. Trying to push all of these other things, secondary mission statements, tertiary vision statements, derivative after derivative after derivative; all these watered down straying from the roots things are what are killing this organization. 
    • Navybone
      It's about time that Scouting WOKE up

      By Navybone · Posted

      terms you use  to refute the value of the MB are "feel good requirement" and " no challenge."    The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.  Its vision to make people good citizens.  Understanding people makes them good citizens.  It does not need to be hard, but knowing how it see others from thier point of view is a mature and effective tool to be a good citizen.   You think there are no answers to the terms and that they can make you Racist.  There are definitions.  They are in the training that the MB Counselors have to take:   Key definitions included in the materials: Identities: Traits that make up who a person is, including race, gender, age, religion, and ability. Diversity: The presence of a wide range of individual identities. Equality: The state of having equal status, rights, and opportunities. Equity: Providing resources tailored to individuals to ensure fair access to opportunities. Inclusion: Active efforts to create a sense of belonging and participation for all individuals. Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people. If a scout does not understand them, then we talk about them.  Maybe you can explain now they are racist.   
    • FireStone
      It's about time that Scouting WOKE up

      By FireStone · Posted

      Can we also just put it into perspective that this is a whole lot more than a merit badge discontinuation, and today's news effectively kicks many trans kids out of Scouting America?  Trans kids now have to choose between switching to a troop that aligns with their birth gender or joining a coed troop, if one exists in their area.  If a coed troop isn't available to them, and they don't wish to join a troop that doesn't align with their gender identity, they're effectively kicked out.  This is awful. 
    • FireStone
      It's about time that Scouting WOKE up

      By FireStone · Posted

      So you want to kick all the girls out?  Maybe you'll get your wish. Scouting America bent the knee and now we can only wait and see how they'll pay for it. Today's demands aren't the end of the list for Hegseth, and Scouting America showing this kind of weakness only opens the door for him to demand more and more and expect to get his way.  I guess when that happens, we'll see if there is any bravery left in that building in Irving. 
    • Navybone
      Citizenship in Society MB Discontinued

      By Navybone · Posted

      I can read this two ways.  The first is one where you are both condescending and dismissive.  It is at best patronizing.  It tries to shut down any conversation by dismissing my comments, implying I do not know what I am talking about and pretty much "shut up and color.     Yet you include: ""A Scout is courteous.  A Scout is polite to people of all ages and positions.  He understands that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.  Being courteous shows that you are aware of the feelings of others. ..."  "A Scout is kind.  A Scout treats others as he wants to be treated.  He knows there is strength in being gentle.  He does not harm or kill any living thing without good reason.  Kindness is a sign of true strength.  To be kind, you must look beyond yourself, and try to understand the needs of others.  Take time to listen to people and imagine being in their place.  Extending kindness to those around you and having compassion for all people is a powerful agent of change to a more peaceful world." Should I write a response in the same manner that you did.  Should I imply that you know nothing about scouting and then sign of with a similar line - like "get on board or leave?"   You make a great case that Scouting America does not need a merit badge that discusses empathy, how to work with other, see things from their point of view, and how to understand what you see (or read) is not the whole story.  
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