KenPCPilot

I was a Tiger Cub leader last year by default after the original leader quit. I heard of 3 other past and current leaders in our pack report similar stories. Here are my observations and opinions. Yes Scouting is shrinking. Last year there must have been 60 potential scouts at the recruiting meeting and maybe 25 this year. Pathetic! 1. New or Potential Leaders- poor resources on the role of den leader and and scouting activities. They get scared off quick. 2. Parents- Can't I just drop my son off and come back in 2 hours? 3. Sports- Over-valued in today's society. Competition (Win! Win! Win! all that matters). Much better chance to get football scholarship (seems like an oxymoron. Shouldn't we call it "Paid to play sports at our college".) vs an academic or leadership scholarship. Do you know any Scouts or leaders paid mulitmillion dollar contracts for product endorsements? Youth sports has taken on a life of its own. I admit I have put my sons in youth sports programs but I don't believe it provides that much moral, value, character development. I observed at least 150-200 kids playing at soccer fields last Saturday here in our small town of Olympia WA. 4. More people are becoming spectators of life than actually living it. Yes I am guilty as charged. The worst contributors are spectator sports as above, mulitmedia entertainment boom (DVDs, 200+ cable or satellite channels, XBox Game Boys etc, INTERNET!!!(lol), 20 screen multiplex movie theaters. 5. Outdated traditions. Yes many traditions are what define what an organization is but I think BSA needs to make a serious effort to update to 21st century. ie The Cub Scout Handbook looks alot like it did 30 years ago from what I can tell. The layout is bizzare. I have to read it and completely reorganize the activities to meet the requirements so I can plan a den meeting that makes sense. I am dissappointed by many repeating tasks. We did Cub scout motto, food pyramid etc last year and have to repeat them again this year. My cub scouts are already complaining "This is boring. We did this last year! 6. Dork Factor- You can't deny this is a real issue. We are way to image concscious in this society to ignore it. I think some changes to acitivities, award/merit patches badges, and yes the uniform are necessary. How can we expect to attract new recruits if the image perceived of scouts is viewed with disrespect? How can our sons develop self-confidence, pride, and have the admiration of others? I believe these are some of the reasons for poor recruiting and shrinking membership. I my son and the other scouts in my den enjoyed last year and are returning. I hope BSA is worried as I am about this trend. I can't help but see this as directly related to the trend of values in the USA. I want to help redirect this trend so my son has personal investment in his future, this nation, and world so there still will be a future. Ken Thompson Olympia, WA