Sentinel947

Yea. It's gotta be fast, and the emphasis has to be on making sure the Scout understands what the boundaries are and what the consequences are for crossing them. My personal style on discipline issues is to really push the Scout to explain why they did what they did. I hear a lot of "I don't know." or "I wasn't thinking." And my response is always, "And that's the problem eh?" Again my hang up with co ed scouting isn't so much behavioral issues, but really if we have an environment where boys get to be themselves, don't have to compete for the attention of girls. The solution to getting girls to do outdoor activities is to fix the GSUSA, not push outdoorsy girls into the Boy Scouts. I roll my eyes when I hear the. "Well girls can't get outdoors activities in the GSUSA, so let them be Boy Scouts." It shouldn't be about BSA membership numbers, or what the GSUSA doesn't do. It should be if/when the BSA decides that going co-ed makes a better program for both boys and girls and will provide guidance to Troop leaders on how to make it happen. When that happens I'm all for it. Sentinel947

A singular offhand observation from working at a BSA summer camp this past summer. (Encourage your Scouts to work at a summer camp, it's a one of a kind experience!) Camp staff was co-ed. The only area where this was an issue for staff members was the 14-15 year old Counselors in Training. I'd say 95% of the boys had the maturity to behave themselves with girls on staff and not harass them. We had a one incident with campers acting inappropriate around female staff members, but that was taken care of extremely quickly. Working as camp staff has definitely made me a believer in venturing. I'd be more than willing to take up Venture crew advisor if my Scouts or siblings expressed interest in that. I think girls are more than capable of interacting with boys, and doing the same activities. As long as a Troop can attract the co-ed leadership to manage it, I think it's great. The one concern I have is for the boys. Having co-ed groups definitely changes the dynamics. As one of the nerdy guys in school, I can honestly say I was low on the social totem pole. Scouting was my escape from being bullied at school. It gave me the confidence to become who I am today. A big part of what made me an outcast in school was interactions with girls. I wasn't cool with girls, because I wasn't a good looking athlete, and I also wasn't one of the funny guys. The opposite is true for girls as well, where they have to act differently around guys. It's competition for the attention of the opposite sex. By the time kids are Venturing age.. this isn't as much of an issue as it is when they're Cub Scout or early Boy Scout age. Maybe the kind of girls we'd bring into Scouting wouldn't change the dynamics, but I'd be cautious about making the BSA universally co-ed. Maybe like alot of the other issues in scouting, a local option is the way to go. Sentinel947

Why do that? Adults should learn the Scouting skills, they don't need rewards for it. IMO this makes earning Eagle an even bigger part of the program... It shouldn't be.

The Mission Accomplished banner was never authorized by the President. He never said the mission was complete in the speech he gave. http://csis.org/blog/bush-never-said-%E2%80%9Cmission-accomplished%E2%80%9D

I have Wood Badge Starting in two weeks as well. Some of my friends are on staff, and my Troops Scoutmaster and I are going through the course together. Should be fun.

I had a similar realization when I met other Eagles in college.

This is good news!

I'd be curious what precept of your religion BSA involvement violates.

Old Scouters are just as likely as young scouters to not "get it."

I closed the thread. I didn't threaten anybody. I posted my reasoning for such.

It's both. The Scout to retain, and the Scoutmaster to coach the PLC to provide opportunities to practice and use Scouting skills.

I may stand alone, but I think there are merits to having separate groups for boys and girls. Having co ed groups changes the dynamics.

Pack , BPDT made a mistake. Next to the quote it has an arrow. Click it and it redirects to a post you made. It's not the one he quoted. User error I think. Anyhow. I hereby exercise my moderator powers. I'll be letting this thread cool down. I'll reopen it if anybody requests it and wants to discuss Mormonism, or how the policy change may effect BSA-Mormon relations. Yours in Scouting, Sentinel947

Looks like we are reading two separate comments. My bad

Catholics have their own. We wouldn't name the youth group of a global church after the Vatican though. Lol

Part of what makes me ok to put my children in the BSA in the future would be its non sectarian approach. I don't trust Trail Life or any other avowed "Christian" organization to not peddle their brand of Christianity. Considering the historical beliefs of many Protestant groups about Catholics, and Churche's ability to start youth groups, that will be where I put my children if the BSA is no longer an acceptable option. If my parish didn't have a youth group, I think Scouting has equipped me well to start one if necessary.

Bad Wolf, he said membership, not units. I think his assertion is perfectly reasonable. If TL is the BSA alternative, than it should be growing more than 5,000 this year. Especially after this decision.

Why as a Catholic would I want my son or daughter in a Baptist youth organization? Better question, are you here to dump on the BSA and promote RA?

Why would you trust an executive of a competing organization? Non story. Scare tactics.

Most of us aren't Southern Baptist.

"This policy isn’t perfect, and this is progress, not a final victory—but I hope you’ll join me in celebrating tonight." -Zach Wahls. This concerns me greatly. From this point out, I cannot support groups like GLAAD and SFE. Forcing religious COs to accept leaders they don't approve of will cause those COs to withdraw support for Scouting. This will cripple the BSA.

Aye, there be the scorched earth liberals.

This change and the statements from the HRC and Scouts for Equality makes me nervous, but I'm still on board with the BSA.

Grand Tetons...

What a tolerant and open minded opinion you have there!