We recently started a troop for refugees, and have about 20 active boys, in the poorest part of this city. Some just arrived in the U.S., some speak very little English, none have much money. They are Burmese, DRC, Nepali. A few foundations and friends have thrown $ at us, and some of us (the adults) don't mind paying for stuff. There is no parent participation because parents speak zero English and work all hours at places like meatpacking jobs (if they are lucky). Kids don't get rides to meetings because families dont have cars, and we can't tell kids to take the bus at night in this hood--it is dark and freezing and there was even a murder recently. So, we pick up every kid for every meeting-- all are within a 2 mile radius but it still takes half an hour. When we arrive at the house, we have to do what parents elsewhere do: "come on time for scouting, get your books". The council has a donor who gives free uniforms and books. Our first campout is coming up and so far we are thinking we just have to fund all food from troop funds. Selling popcorn - we could probably get sympathy by selling in front of a whole foods in the suburbs (maybe we will try that) but we can't exactly ask these kids to sell to their classmates or parents coworkers.
So the issue comes up of entitlement. How to encourage some skin in the game, or should we? I realize that Scouting is mostly a richer person's activity, but someone on here has experience wit this. Also your answer to this may depend on where you sit politically on things like food stamps, medicaid, and welfare (all of which these families have).... i.e. they get free food, healthcare and money, so should they get free scouting? Does that lead to an entitled boy? My own boy is growing up in a privileged house...
I look forward to hearing some diverse thoughts on this.
If this is better posted in another forum then let me know, I'm new here!
YIS
