Criticism and Change

Sometimes we get so involved and so closely identified with Scouting that we bruise easily.

Perhaps the sharpest criticism is when our Scouts seem disinterested or uninvolved. Boys are Scouts because they like the idea of Scouting yet battle with some of the things that Scouts do. In a period of life when they are intent on forming an individual identity they sometimes despise those things that make them a part of a group. At the same time, paradoxically, they want to be accepted, to fit in, to fully be a part of the group.

Their attitudes may change from week to week, day to day or hour to hour. This is confusing and frustrating for them and us.

Parents of our Scouts and our fellow adult volunteers may cause friction when they offer advice or criticism. They may offer good-intentioned assistance, aggressively defend their interests, or indiscriminately wreak havoc.When we are personally involved any frustration we encounter can become personal affront. Boys may feign disinterest, parents may complain, fellow leaders may argue.

When these inevitable difficulties arise I have try to look at them as an opportunity to examine my work. If that work is true to the principles of the Scouting movement then criticism is not directed at me but at Scouting itself. If I am criticized because I have misapplied or ignored some part of Scouting than I have to own up to it and make the necessary changes.