SSScout Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 (edited) Always liked REM... Okay, so it's the end of the (Scouting) world as we know it. Exactly why has Scouting (as we know it) gone down hill of late? Has it gone down hill? In no particular order, here's what I've heard.... Let's make a list. 1) PTB began catering to the urban family in the 70's. 2) Loss of "traditional" outdoor, rough and rugged activities in favor of electronics/indoor/STEM/ 3) Society views Scouting as old time, not socially relevant. 4) Loss of "Patrol Method"/Boy Centered in favor of "Adult Led". 5) Requirements for ranks and Merit Badges have gotten easier (Parlor Eagles?) 6) Society has changed (Allow any healthy human to join?) 7) Game with a purpose? Games are not socially progressive enough. 8) Old style patriotism versus real patriotism? 9) Religion versus faith versus .... what need for religion? 10) Competition for our youth's attention is greater than in years past. What gang is a kid to join? Scouts? MS13? Minecraft? 4H? Soccer? Grand Theft Auto? Football? 11) Who wants to wear that dorky uniform? Band? Football? ROTC? 12) Oh Hum.... Is some folks concern for "Numbers" and "Money" totals really not the issue we should be concerned with? Quality versus quantity? What's my commission for organizing a RoundTable? Edited February 6, 2018 by SSScout 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwilkins Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 I don't mean to be critical, but I tried to sing along to your version and I couldn't make it scan at all. Ian (also an REM fan) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocomax Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Not only is scouting doomed, Civilization as we know it is doomed. . . we have left the slippery sloop and are now in free fall without a parachute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jameson76 Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 7 minutes ago, cocomax said: Not only is scouting doomed, Civilization as we know it is doomed. . . we have left the slippery sloop and are now in free fall without a parachute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sentinel947 Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 Giant Meteor for President 2020! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post The Latin Scot Posted February 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 6, 2018 The only thing that can doom Scouting is people who allow themselves to believe that Scouting is doomed. If we embrace the pessimistic idea that Scouting's days are numbered, then sure, it won't last long. But while I may not be able to rescue the perceptions of cynics and fatalists, I can certainly save Scouting in the eyes of the boys in my Den or Troop. I can instill in them the ideals and aims of Scouting, and lead them to believe in the power of this movement, however it may be distorted or warped by reactionaries and so-called 'progressives.' I can motivate them to live the Scout Oath and Law, and learn the lessons and skills embodied in the Scouting movement since the beginning. Scouting is only dead if you let it die. But so long as it lives in me, and in those who believe in it, it can never truly go away. So why give up hope, when you can instead labor to instill hope in the boys you work with? You fear the end of Scouting as you watch the top come crumbling down? Then counteract the collapse by establishing a foundation of bulwarks from the bottom up - build it up in the boys, and they will hold it up in the future. I refuse to subscribe to fatalist ideologies that simply wait to claim "I saw it coming!" when they end comes. Poor fools; they just end up waiting and waiting forever .... 1 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJCubScouter Posted February 6, 2018 Share Posted February 6, 2018 ... and I feel fine? I think that song was meant to be taken ironically. And where would "Leonard Bernstein" fit into your lyrics? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walk in the woods Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 The answer to each of your reasons is true and false depending on your perspective. From my perspective (rural middle of the country) will be different than suburban, urban, exurban, coastal, intermountain west, etc. @LatinScot, all you said is true, and none of it requires the corporation that is the BSA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSScout Posted February 7, 2018 Author Share Posted February 7, 2018 (edited) FINALLY, discussion begins. Thank you Latin Scout... Altho as some of you may note, I have penned the occasional song parody, but this wasn't really meant to be sung.... Like Will Rogers said once, "all I know is what I read in the papers." Wellll, now we have internet to read, along with my Roundtable and oldtimers (older than me, even) to hear from.... and so we progress, (tongue firmly in cheek). So what has (in some peoples minds) doomed Scouting? Anything to add to the list? Did I get it all right? Anything missing we have to contradict? Edited February 7, 2018 by SSScout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwilkins Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 17 hours ago, SSScout said: So what has (in some peoples minds) doomed Scouting? Anything to add to the list? Did I get it all right? Anything missing we have to contradict? UK Slant... 13. Getting rid of berets 14. Banning "pegging out"* 15. Getting rid of patrol tents** 16. The Adventurous Activities permit system*** * Hazing, basically, but not necessarily the new kid, just someone who had usually annoyed the Alpha Scout, or was generally the victim. Tied out to four pegs and various jams (jellies) sauces food slops applied. Acceptable in the 80s. ** Great big green canvas things that slept the whole patrol in. And they're still used by some. *** That means, for example, you can't go climbing without being trained and checked that you know what you're doing. Of course, maybe it's already changed so much that it isn't "proper" scouting any more, and therefore scouting isn't just doomed, it's already gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJCubScouter Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 43 minutes ago, ianwilkins said: * Hazing, basically, but not necessarily the new kid, just someone who had usually annoyed the Alpha Scout, or was generally the victim. Tied out to four pegs and various jams (jellies) sauces food slops applied. Acceptable in the 80s. Um. The 1980s or the 1480s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwazse Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 In sort of chronological order ... No more Eagle, old guys. Bird Study? Bye Bye. It's for boys, so make it school. Bookwork MB's have them drool. Girl, Godless, Gay? Don't say! SCOTUS: "National, have your way!" Achievement? Bah! Identity! Drop the First Class Journey. Uniform the committee. Fancy knots in rows of three. YPT? That lawyer's fee! Secret files are so scary! No adult? Stay at home! Camping kids go on their own. Explorers camping. Really? Call them Venturers, set them free! NESA's Eagle promos grind. There's one on Silver! "Never Mind!". Older ventures, that's not fine. Twenty-one can't be the line. Paperwork for all adults. MBC's must join the cult! Girl Scouts, where are you? "Find us flushies." Boo hoo. First class ladies: "Help us please!" Old farts: "They make us sneeze!" The World Jamboree's coming. Don't blow it! Scouting's co-eds are cool, and they show it! Even Saudi and Pakistan know it. We'll be fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoPenn Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 (edited) On 2/7/2018 at 3:01 PM, SSScout said: So what has (in some peoples minds) doomed Scouting? Anything to add to the list? Did I get it all right? Anything missing we have to contradict? * Female Scoutmasters * Liberals * Conservatives * Heavy influence by the Church of Latter Day Saints * Elimination of merit badges for farming Scouts * Public schools no longer sponsoring units * Churches no longer sponsoring units * Trail Life * Guide to Safe Scouting rules * Helicopter Parenting * Troop only Merit Badge counselors * Popcorn Sales (product too expensive) * Parents afraid of the outdoors making their children afraid of the outdoors. * Millenials * Baby Boomers and etc. etc. etc. Edited February 11, 2018 by CalicoPenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle1993 Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 (edited) Given that many youth organization numbers are down, I’d recommed looking at society. - Women working outside the home/dual income families - Internet and gaming improvements - Year round sports organizations - Lack of buy in that an outdoor organization has relevance in today’s society Edited February 11, 2018 by Eagle1993 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HelpfulTracks Posted February 11, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2018 2 hours ago, CalicoPenn said: * Female Scoutmasters * Liberals * Conservatives * Heavy influence by the Church of Latter Day Saints * Elimination of merit badges for farming Scouts * Public schools no longer sponsoring units * Churches no longer sponsoring units * Trail Life * Guide to Safe Scouting rules * Helicopter Parenting * Troop only Merit Badge counselors * Popcorn Sales (product too expensive) * Parents afraid of the outdoors making their children afraid of the outdoors. * Millenials * Baby Boomers and etc. etc. etc. To you list I will add: Complaining about is problem is MUCH easier than rolling up your sleeves and working to fix it. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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