nwasness

I think my mind has been changed by Moosetracker & Irsap. I going to talk to my son and go visit some other troops. I know of one that will except my son and I with open arms.

My Son is 12 years old. I have always been in nontraditional positions in my life. I went into engineering and was the only female student in my engineering program in college and I felt excepted. I was hired in an all male office and no one objected. This is the first time I was told I could not do something based strictly on my gender. It really annoys me that people still have the archaic beliefs. I will let it go. But I will miss the camping.

I have been an active BSA member. I am currently a Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner for my district. I moved my son to a troop that was highly recommended and closer to our home. When I said I would be camping at the next campout I was told that I could not come because I was a woman. When I explained that I had extensive training (Woodbadge training & beads, Scoutmaster indoor & outdoor training, Doctorate of Commissioner Science Knot Award, District Award of Merit and many more.) they told me that it did not matter what training I received. The Charter Organization (First Baptist Church in South Carolina) has a policy that states no women allowed at Troop campsites after dark or if the scouts travel and stay in a hotel that female parents must stay in a different hotel. I said to the Committee Chair that BSA policy states that parent are allowed to go on Troop campouts no matter what gender. I allow stated the change in policy women can be Scoutmasters or Assistant Scoutmaster. They also told me the Charter Organization prefers that Boy Scouts be led by Men only and this is stated in the Troop By Laws that I have not seen as of yet. They were even begging infront of me for a man to be Assist. Scoutmaster. I called the Council and they told me that the Charter Organization can deny women. I thought that the CO has to follow the of BSA By Laws. Why have BSA National By Laws if they can be rewritten by the Charter Organization? If the BSA National By Laws can be used as more less "Guide Lines" than actual rules, then why have them. Readers: What would you do in my case? Should I look for another Troop, which means my son will be removed from his newly found friends.