Summer Camp

All the world’s a trail, And all the boys and girls  merely hikers; They have their exits and their entrances, And one Scout in their time plays many parts, Their acts being seven ages.  At first, the Tenderfoot,  Huffing and aching in the Patrol Leader’s gaze. Then the willing Second Class, with his backpack And shining new boots, creeping like snail Willingly to camp.  And then the First Class, Working like journeyman, with a woeful ballad Made to his buddy’s ’ cookset. Then a Star Scout, Full of fun tales and dirty like the worker, Jealous in honor, sudden and quick to help, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the campfire’s smoke. And then the Life Scout, In fair proud and downlooking to the Tenderfoot, With eyes severe and mien of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the sage and sought after , With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful face, well shaved, a world too wide For his Eagle earned, and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is Scout Leader, signed and devoted he, Sans time, sans money, sans gear, sans everything but Scouts to inspire.   

Ultimately, the failure before, and very likely again, is not a Scouting issue.  What is a Scouting issue may be too many NOT paying attention or simply following the rules, no matter how they may feel personally.  IF the concern is not valid, then it will likely prove itself, but if it is valid, and it is ignored due to public opinion and personal friendships, then the failure is not on the back of Scouting.    

What would be more surprising is if we never had another YPT/SYT failure. 

This appears to be another that goes out at random rather than to every registered leader.