Wonder if they will institute all female Troops.

I can't see this functioning "mixed".

Who will watch the chaperones? Who will chaperone the chaperone.

Yeah, I could really see my wife liking me camping with some scouts MILF.

Too much room for hijinx on all levels IMHO.

quote:

The boy scouts is one of the few place my son can go act like a 10 year old boy.

Ah, and now you know why it must be destroyed.

From what I've read lately, this could get them all ready to join the Navy.

quote:

Originally posted by BillyBonesNY:

Yeah, I could really see my wife liking me camping with some scouts MILF.

I think that is the least of the reasons to object. I presume you won't be molesting the scouts' moms and that you won't engage in consensual sex with them either. I can't speak to your wife's concerns, but I hope that she doesn't frown on you being around women in general.

Even 10 years ago when my boys were scouts, we had a few moms who came on camp-outs and were active in the troop. They didn't come on every trip, but there were several who came on the extended summer camp outings. Some women were even official leaders - Assistant Scoutmasters and the like, which has been BSA practice for some time. We never had one bit of improper behavior between adult leaders.

It is the mix of the boys and girls that is worthy of consideration. First, there is the obvious potentiality for romance or improper behavior between the co-ed scouts. Of course, this is a potential concern in any mixed sex group of kids. The Scouts, in my experience, have been pretty good regulators of kids' behavior though, so this may be lesser problem. I think the adult leaders can supervise so that this isn't a problem.

Second, there is a fundamental difference in dynamics between single sex groups and mixed sex groups. That is the factor that is most worthy of care. What is lost by including girls? What is gained?

It will save them the 2 mile swim to the other side of the lake like I had to do to get to the girl scout camp

quote:

Of course, this is a potential concern in any mixed sex group of kids. The Scouts, in my experience, have been pretty good regulators of kids' behavior though, so this may be lesser problem. I think the adult leaders can supervise so that this isn't a problem.

Perhaps, but not completely and with any reliability. Given the likelihood of what will be characterized by a parent as statutory rape or possible pregnancy, and the then likely lawsuit of everyone involved whether the troop, sponsoring organization and especially the leaders it will crush the ability to attract and retain good leaders.

It already comes with enough risk that it sounds like you, me and many others were willing to take on in exchange for the good for the boys. This just adds another layer to that. A layer which I don't know I'd be willing to take.

Put another way - am I willing to risk my family's financial well being in exchange for this program? Even if not at fault, a suit would crush most of the leaders I worked with financially, not to mention emotionally. And the odds go up a lot! Anybody who argues otherwise has completely forgotten the fervor with which teenagers will scheme to get time alone together for these "activities".

Bet this whole thing shows up on a SNL skit this week!!

Another casualty in the war on masculinity.

Eagle Scout dad here.

I really think this is about money and numbers and has little to do with emasculating the Boy Scouts.

In my own circles, I see as many moms going on camping trips and off to Scout camp as I do dads.

I know the Boy Scouts have sold off camps, are having trouble attracting boys and young men to the organization. Way too many pulls on kids time.

I love Scouting and think they have a great program for boys. But economic reality is setting in.

quote:

Originally posted by BillyBonesNY:
Wonder if they will institute all female Troops.

I can't see this functioning "mixed".

Who will watch the chaperones? Who will chaperone the chaperone.

Yeah, I could really see my wife liking me camping with some scouts MILF.

Too much room for hijinx on all levels IMHO.

Women have been Cub Scout den leaders for a long , long time. Before men, even. And it's been several decades since there were any restrictions on female leaders. The youngest cub scouts must have a parent or guardian at all events, which is often a woman. So unless the MILF your wife is worried about is a female scout, then nothing's changed in that regard.

I have no issue with female den leaders, we have several in our den. My issue is changing the whole dynamic of the kids group. This will end the scouts I think, cub scouts may go on but boy scouts is now doomed.

Make no mistake. This is all about money. Scout membership has been declining for years. They see the girls as a new source of income. And like someone said, the scouts are probably counting on the girls to bring back the guys.

Glad my son finished his Eagle. I would not want to be on the camping trips trying to keep them separate at night. And now moms are going to be going on camping trips too. That should be interesting...

It should make camp outs a lot more popular.

quote:

Originally posted by BigJoe:
Bet this whole thing shows up on a SNL skit this week!!

They've been on top of the changes in scouting for quite a while.

quote:

Originally posted by Scoutmaster:

quote:

Originally posted by justjoe:
I object to the "boy" in Boy Scouts. That is just age discrimination. It's wonderful that girls can join the Boy Scouts-- err-- Girl'N Boy Scouts-- but older women, say in their 50s and 60s-- should also be able to become Girl 'N Boy Scouts. The name, of course, should then be changed to Person Scouts of America.

"Of America," though, sounds hostile to non-documented citizens. And "scouts" has the ring of toxic masculinity about it: you know, going out ahead of everyone to check things out-- all the risk, and "adventure." Toxic!

So............let's see..........we should call it............ --let me get back to you on this one.

In CA it will soon be illegal (kind of) to use gender specific pronouns.

Yeah... I got nothin'. In the language of Political Correctness, there is just no way to say, "Boy Scouts of America."

quote:

Originally posted by Appliance Brad:
Eagle Scout dad here.

I really think this is about money and numbers and has little to do with emasculating the Boy Scouts.

In my own circles, I see as many moms going on camping trips and off to Scout camp as I do dads.

I know the Boy Scouts have sold off camps, are having trouble attracting boys and young men to the organization. Way too many pulls on kids time.

I love Scouting and think they have a great program for boys. But economic reality is setting in.

I'm an Eagle Scout. This makes absolutely no economic sense. All the Girl Scouts aren't going to join the Boy Scouts. BSA is going to gain less than 5% in new membership and lose greater than 10% in current membership. As a Boy Scout in the 1990s, it wasn't exactly "cool" once you got into the advanced teenage years. I can only imagine the ripping boys are going to get once girls are in it too.

I am the father of a 5yr old boy and a 3yr old girl. At that age, gender is indifferent. Heck, they could probably get by with mixed gender Cub Scouts Packs AND Dens without problems. However, teenage hormones are a powerful force and a strong distraction. 20yrs ago the leaders had enough problems making sure the certain kids were getting their psychotropic meds at the right time. Now they will have that and keeping the genders separated at the correct times. And what about the NAME? Will it be changed to The Scouts? Its pretty dumb to keep calling it the Boy Scouts, isn't it?

They're allowing girls in so the gay boy scouts can have someone to relate to.

WELL, what about the girl scouts? I don't see why the BOY scouts would need to let girls in, when they already have the GIRL scouts....unless it's to get to their cookies!!!!!!!!!!!

Appliance Brad, I mean this with all due respect. I think you are beginning to think a bit to much like a politician.

Maybe spending a bit touch much time in that venue my friend.

I don't agree with your opinion on this subject. But if that is truly your opinion. I respect it.

But to your point. Why are the numbers down? In my opinion many do not like the direction the leadership has taken the organization in. And in my opinion it is to make it less about turning boys into men. Taught by men. And more about watering down the whole organization and removing many aspects that some feel offended by or are fearful of.

I'm an eagle scout and is my brother. Between tagging along to his meetings before I could walk to working an entire summer on camp staff the summer I turned 20, it was a pretty serious part of the 1st half of my life to date. I'm now also an adult leader for my 4th grade son. He's been in since 1st grade. I'm very disappointed about this. Even the Girl Scouts national leader is opposed. Yes they should change their program to make more outdoor activities available.

I texted my bro about this as soon as I heard and he thought it was BS as well. My mom was an adult leader in cub scouts in the 70s and 80s for my bro and myself also thinks it's a terrible idea. Boys just need a place where they can be boys and not worry about girls being present.

They should expand the explorer program and lower the age for that if girls want to join that. In fact just last night I was watching a HBO documentary about Steven Spielberg and was looking at a list of celebrity Eagle Scouts. ( he is one). So many astronauts congressman and other leaders and business executives are Eagle Scouts. ( we disavow Ted Bundy). BSA national is just dead wrong on this IMO.