UPS and 'gay' Boy Scouts

[Dubya61]

I grew up in a large family and scouting was just what you did. It was expected and you did it. I had a blast and loved it and think I learned a lot along the way from some people I consider to be great leaders, both adult and otherwise. I have great memories of it and associatively, the BSA. I have two daughters and wanted to get them involved in scouting. I investigated my options and asked them if they wanted to get involved in Girl Scouting. They did. When I attempted to register them for the system, I discovered at the organizational meeting that the unit my youngest daughter would have attended had no volunteer leader. There was this awkward silence around the room. I really wanted my kids to experience some of the scouting fun I did, so I asked if there was a gender restriction to the leaders -- there was not. I took on the role of troop leader for the Daisy unit and ran with it for a year, thinking that eventually, a woman would step forward and say she would take on the role. In the mean time, I had to travel out of country for about a year and that forced the issue. A woman did step forward to take over. I was incredibly relieved. I think it is very important to have a woman lead a Girl Scout unit. One of the most important issues I wanted my daughters to learn was that a woman does not need a man to lead the way.

[PennyQuilts]

One of the most important issues I wanted my daughters to learn was that a woman does not need a man to lead the way.

Nice. I appreciate your sensitivity in that situation. I wouldn't have automatically seen it from that point of view (too busy thinking about gender equality) so I appreciate you pointing that out.

[Spartan]

I grew up in a large family and scouting was just what you did. It was expected and you did it. I had a blast and loved it and think I learned a lot along the way from some people I consider to be great leaders, both adult and otherwise. I have great memories of it and associatively, the BSA. I have two daughters and wanted to get them involved in scouting. I investigated my options and asked them if they wanted to get involved in Girl Scouting. They did. When I attempted to register them for the system, I discovered at the organizational meeting that the unit my youngest daughter would have attended had no volunteer leader. There was this awkward silence around the room. I really wanted my kids to experience some of the scouting fun I did, so I asked if there was a gender restriction to the leaders -- there was not. I took on the role of troop leader for the Daisy unit and ran with it for a year, thinking that eventually, a woman would step forward and say she would take on the role. In the mean time, I had to travel out of country for about a year and that forced the issue. A woman did step forward to take over. I was incredibly relieved. I think it is very important to have a woman lead a Girl Scout unit. One of the most important issues I wanted my daughters to learn was that a woman does not need a man to lead the way.

Meanwhile it's 2012 and the Boy Scouts are teaching boys to keep the redneck race alive..

[Dubya61]

Meanwhile it's 2012 and the Boy Scouts are teaching boys to keep the redneck race alive..

In your experience, not mine.

[PennyQuilts]

In your experience, not mine.

That sure didn't go on when I was a den mother. We did crafts, for heaven's sake. We even had... BLACK KIDS!! OMG!!

Probably why they wouldn't let me progress to leading the webeloes.

[Spartan]

I will say this... Some of the absolute best role model parents I knew were becaus of Scouting. I still have some friends from my time..

Unfortunately, for me, the bad outweighed the good.

[PennyQuilts]

I will say this... Some of the absolute best role model parents I knew were becaus of Scouting. I still have some friends from my time..

Unfortunately, for me, the bad outweighed the good.

So sad that what should have been a great experience turned out to be cruddy. It sounds like you had a silver lining in the good role model parents and friends but still - just a shame.

[kevinpate]

I really enjoyed my adult years in Scouting, both BSA and GSUSA. Youth years were fine and dandy too for the most part. That which weren't was more a product of being in a troop with older brother and his friends, but that wasn't scouting stuff. That was just brother stuff that happened to take place in Scouting instead of the house, yard, nearby fields, ponds, etc. We got along much better after we got older, as brothers so often manage to do.

I still enjoy helping folks online presently, and wouldn't mind getting back out to volunteer at some camps, once I knock some more weight down so I can be more help than risk factor.

[ljbab728]

Rick Perry has put in his 2 cents worth.

Gov. Perry: Boy Scouts should keep no-gay policy | News OK

The following is obviously contributed to by allowing gays in the scouts.

Perry told the youngsters that the Scouts was a key reason he joined the U.S. Air Force and later sought public office, and that society's failure to adhere to the organization's core values was a cause for high rates of teen pregnancy and wayward youth who grow up to be "men joining their fathers in prison."

[Dustin]

Rick Perry is FOR discrimination... Shocker!

[venture]

Rick Perry has put in his 2 cents worth.

Gov. Perry: Boy Scouts should keep no-gay policy | News OK

The following is obviously contributed to by allowing gays in the scouts.

Indeed. All those gay boys running around causing high teen pregnancies...oh wait.

I'm amazed every day he continues to make it living in Austin without getting toilet papered or egged.

[GaryOKC6]

The way I see it this is really meaningless. They are just passing the buck. Most boy scout troops are run by churches and they (most) are not having it.

[frontallobotomy]

Rick Perry has put in his 2 cents worth.

Gov. Perry: Boy Scouts should keep no-gay policy | News OK

The following is obviously contributed to by allowing gays in the scouts.

What an idiot

[ShiroiHikari]

Perry told the youngsters that the Scouts was a key reason he joined the U.S. Air Force and later sought public office, and that society's failure to adhere to the organization's core values was a cause for high rates of teen pregnancy and wayward youth who grow up to be "men joining their fathers in prison."

...Huh?

You know what? I'm not even gonna try to make sense of that.

[Easy180]

Rick Perry has put in his 2 cents worth.

Gov. Perry: Boy Scouts should keep no-gay policy | News OK

The following is obviously contributed to by allowing gays in the scouts.

Dumbass with a great head of hair

[bucktalk]

Is this really just about money? I doubt the boy scouts would consider such a radical departure from what the Supreme Court already ruled if it were not for corporations threatening to no longer fund the scouts. It always about 1. money 2. power and the combination of the two.