Re: [Philmont] - philmont Digest - V01 #1566

AMEN!

Dave Parmly wrote:

> Regarding the Troop with the potato cannon.
>
> This has nothing to do with Leave No Trace. That's like advanced
> quantum physics in comparison to the elementary level illustrated by
> this potato cannon incident. Let me say that, if I was 12 or 13 years
> old, I would LOVE to build a potato cannon and can see of a way to, in a
> controlled manner, tap into that youthful desire for cool things that
> launch inanimate objects. A lashed catapult would do much the same
> thing, and in an open field and with water balloons would be present
> fewer safety issues and accomplish much the same ends. But that
> illustrates the role of the adults in Scouting and highlights the key
> issue at hand: Appropriate adult supervision, and developing young
> people's decision making capability.
>
> As Scouters, we have to admit that we have had shockingly bad
> experiences with other members of our organization, youth and adult.
> Subcamp 19 at Jamboree and the issue with the shower house proves this
> and these were supposedly the cream of the BSA crop, trashing a shower
> facility, plugging toilets, etc. It has everything to do with the
> expectations that are set by the adults, the anticipated standards of
> behavior, whether on a trail or at a camporee or on a tour of the State
> House.
>
> I have no doubt that BSA Troop 506 and Venture Crew 506 would be larger
> if we would only lighten up a bit on the standards thing. If we would
> only let them wear blue jeans instead of BSA pants/shorts. Lighten up
> on the whole "socks" thing. If we would only let them bring electronics
> and cell phones on outings. If we would only let them "have fun" by the
> campfire instead of being safety conscious. If we would only knock off
> the "behavior" thing. My old First Sergeant called it "Lazy Eyes". We
> see the problem, we recognize it's a problem, we know we should do
> something about the problem, but we do nothing. Our eyes see, but are
> too lazy to correct it. And we had a tragic incident even in our troop
> involving a misuse of Coleman fuel that will leave a boy scarred for
> life as a consequence. It's not to say it can't happen anywhere,
> because it can and I know that. But even in that incident, a Committee
> chair who just wasn't willing to get assertive when he should have led
> to the larger problem. Boys will be boys and thank God the BSA has a
> place that they can be boys. There are damn few left in the world. But
> it takes willing, competent and capable adults to keep those boyish
> impulses from becoming dangerous.
>
> Well, I'm sorry, but if a coach can cut a kid who doesn't measure up to
> the team standards, then so can I. Scouting is good for everyone, but
> that doesn't mean it's FOR everyone who joins. Some aren't willing to
> do what I ask. And all I ask is what our BSA materials say I can ask.
> The issue isn't what our books and manuals say: The issue is what WE
> are willing to stand up for, to put into practice. I appreciate the
> great materials provided by the BSA, but the BSA has so allowed it's
> once clear, bright purpose to be diluted, that it has lost the
> willingness to make ourselves an organization that stands APART from
> what the pop culture has become. The BSA has become a NUMBERS GAME,
> from the district right on up to the National HQ. We are too often
> satisfied with mediocrity, from our youth, from our adults, and yet are
> shocked and saddened when we see the logical consequences of expecting
> mediocre behavior. And yet other SMs in our own district tell me we are
> too uptight about uniforms that we aren't opening Scouting to enough
> boys.
>
> But you know what? I can't control any of what the National does or
> permits. I can't control what the Council does, or even the District.
> I'm less concerned about my ability to even control my Scoutmaster. He
> doesn't set the standards for the "Flaming Arrow"/ new boy patrol in
> Troop 506. That is the group I can control. If I am asked to be a SM
> again, then my focus will shift to the troop, not just one patrol. The
> Scouters who ramrod that patrol are responsible for the standards of
> those boys. Fortunately, my SM does set the standard for the troop and
> expects me to do my job and that makes it a lot easier to demand a high
> level from my kids. And most of the kids are willing to and capable of
> meeting that standard, the one written about right in their BSA
> handbook. That's all we ask of them. Nothing more than that.
>
> But hey, that's just my opinion.
>
> Dave Parmly
> Knoxville, TN
>
>
>
>
>
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> -------------------------------------------------------
> As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
> Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>

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-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Mon Nov 14 20:01:10 2005