Join Scouting Anyway

A brief discussion with a reader leads me to encourage parents who differ with the policies of the BSA to consider joining scouting anyway.

Most comment and discussion surrounding the issue of the BSA excluding atheists and gays from scouting assumes that all of us endorse these policies, we don’t.

During my 2 years as a Scoutmaster I have put up with a great deal of biased, prejudiced, improper words and conduct from my fellow leaders. I have also benefited from their tolerance, understanding and inclusiveness. Scout leaders are as much of a mixed bag as teachers, coaches, professors, clergy, police, politicians and other authority figures. Scouting remains decentralized enough that local groups reflect local values.

Submitting to the paranoia of isolating ourselves from those with whom we disagree is a two way street. I don’t want or need everyone to think and act as I do; these are things that are simply beyond my control. My advocating that the BSA drop their restrictions on gay and atheist leaders cannot be followed by the exclusion of conservative fundamentalist right-wing leaders.

Part of the experience of scouting, of attending school, church, being on a sports team, of drawing breath and being alive is sorting out all of the different influences and opinions one encounters. Children look to their parents and adults they trust to help them through this process.

Our experience as a nation has proved that vastly different approaches to life can coexist in relative harmony. We can’t teach our children this in an atmosphere of paranoia and isolation.

Scouting is a powerful tool for educating and nurturing our children. As the culture of our leadership changes so will the policies of our national organization. Scouting will never be perfect, we will always have our internal arguments and inconsistencies; join anyway.