'73 Eagle

First the stated Topic. I hear this same complaint all the time and comiserate with it. Several factors that contribute to it: 1. Scoutmaster with no youth experience as a scout or in a troop where this was the example he saw - if you have no example and poor training you do what you know and are comfortable with. 2. Basic Type A personality that leads to control issues 3. Terrible District Executives and Commisioners that focus on Troop creation and self promotion vs. Mentoring to achieve well run Troops 4. Backlash from a previous SM who thought Boy led meant hands off and completely Boy run which often leads to pandemonium 5. Too few Adults willing to participate in helping to plan, assist, or train Boys to be leaders within the Troop 6. Fatigue - It is easier to set up a communal kitchen than haul all the gear to set one up for 4 different patrols and adults fail to realize that the boys don't learn teamwork and leadership nearly as well in that environment - Plus separate patrol sites mean you actually have to teach the kids skills and then audit what they do. Second Issue Venomous attacks based on gender or some elitist attitude regarding Wood Badge have absolutely no place in Scouting. PLEASE stop working with kids immediately. The rant that you posted here reveals an attitude that will color your interactions with kids, other scouters, and the public that will not reflect well on Boy Scouts in general. I am an Eagle Scout, have been a Den Leader for Cubs, and have been actively involved in running a Troop for the last 4 Years.