Boy Scouts going downhill!

[jlrhiner]

I think Tcoburn and I are in the same district.

I don't really want you to buy the popcorn. I think you should find a local Pack or Troop and volunteer. This is from someone who has been everything from Tenderfoot to Unit Commissioner since 1964. (in an effort at full disclosure, I did not make Eagle. The Navy got in the way. Only crime I've ever committed).

 

[Harrison]

I was a boy scout in a small rural town. in the 50s and 60s there were four scout troops in town. Even the tiny towns had at least one troop. Now, there are no scout troops in that entire corner of the state (about a 10 county area). I don't know where they went, but they are now gone.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Webelos, Tenderfoot and 2nd class-by then the hormorones had kicked in, pack meetings were Friday night....and well ya know....
Loved the scouts when I was in, Smoked my first cigarette on a camping trip, drank my first beer on a camping trip. learned how to smuggle in a can of lighter fluid to start that campfire. Boy Scouts was fun.

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

No more visible tattoos when dressed in short sleeves and collar?

 

[spricks]

Every organization has to hit a low before it rides up to the top....the Boy scouts of America are all about the leaders. Some areas have great leaders and some not so much...easy to blame...harder to fix...don't complain, do something about it...these young men need the direction Scouting gives them...in my opinion.

The popcorn is very tasty...by the way.

spricks

 

[mkk41]

Wow , did I start a fire! I never realized the Boy Scouts did this. I recall back when I was in , we went around offering to do chores for donations. I guess that would be construed as child labor these days. I could see Cub Scouts selling stuff like this , but I guess this is the 90s , 00s , 10s or whatever modern new age decade it is! (How'd I get this old?!?!)

Back when I had my gunshop (early 90's), an old friend and retired Army officer who came in weekly was a Troop leader and asked me about perhaps working with him to do some smallbore training with his troop. Since I was an NRA instructor and rangemaster , I would coordinate things on that end , get the proper certificates , insurance , legalities with my clubs range , etc. He would notify parents , get permission slips hold a class or two and have some Army buddies help out. He suggested me appearing at a meeting and maybe set a display of some guns we'd be using. I had single shot , bolt , lever and semi-autos as well as single shot break open .410 shotguns and a few.22 pistols

The parents were overwhelmingly AGAINST it!

 

[bgrafsr]

I had to go get a "bucket of steam" and go on a "snipe hunt" when I went on my 1st outing. It was fun. My dad came on one of the outings as a chaperone, and could he cook a good breakfast over a campfire. I really miss him.

 

[BillBingham2]

Scouts has changed over the years. Part of it is because the sponsor-ship has changed from schools (thank you ACLU) to private groups, churches or what not.

I was in Cubs for about three months, Scouts for about four years, did OA, stopped at life as they changed the program to be less outdoors/camping oriented. Learned lots of stuff that helped me form who I am today. Honesty, respect, lot of great things that I think are more from my leaders (Fred Farmer, Bruce Rohr, et.al.) than from the program.

Shot my first firearm at the range during summer camp. Shocked the 5hit out of the kids there as other than the first shot they rest were all within the second circle. 760 pump and my father taught me the basics and polished by many hours in the basement with a sand trap he built.

My wife and I were Den leaders for our oldest as no other parents would do it (started with 22 kids, crossed over 18) and was an assistant scout master as we bounced from troop to troop. Between bullying and stupid control issues in the first two troop we were in, not to mention at counsel, I got sick of the my tent is bigger than your tent mindset. Third troop ROCK, great leaders and kids but we moved to Iowa after one year there. Both kids lost interest after the first year here as the troop they selected did almost no camping.

Fund raising if I never see popcorn again in my next three lives it will be too soon. For high adventure stuff lots of troops do all sorts of things, sell candy at the train station, sell christmas trees, you name it. My oldest is a kick butt salesman because of selling pop corn door to door. Sadly he hates sales as much as my wife does (she was #1 in the world for her division at Xerox many moons ago).

While we were always in competition with Troop 176 from Mother of Sorrows (we were 175 from Paddy Hill) we always helped out other troops loaning stuff, never saw any of that as an adult. Maybe it was due to being in the North Shore of Chicago, money talks, niceness gets walked upon.

Very sad to hear that the parents were against basic firearm training. A few years back most summer camp programs had it available there, though that was before the ammo shortage really hit.

 

[pace40]

My comment to this thread would result in a ding, slap, pound or whatever.

WWW

 

[Engineer1911]

BSA & S&W

In 1990 my Cup Scout pack sold popcorn in Sioux Falls while I was assistant leader. Our den was guns & camping. Much emphasis on safety and accuracy. My local troop stops by every time for a "sale". They get a $20 check for knocking and I force them to promise " NO POPCORN DELIVERY!! "

Down in Georgia, the last weekend in March is for Marksmanship Merit Badge. About 70 young men, 15 Dads, and the former Scout Master is senior chef (my neighbor) and obtains access to private land for shooting and camping. I bring 22 LR match rifles for Marksmanship shooting. Scout fathers run the Marksmanship program. I and Chef neighbor run long range shooting for fun. Good time had by all and I get a bucket of cnterfire brass.

History repeats itself each year, "Can I shoot the buffalo gun?" is the most fruequent question during the "safety and organizing" meeting. I load round ball and 420 grain buffalo loads for the Quigley replica. It has a ureathane cushy pad. No one has missed the 50 yard or 100 yard 8" bullseyes, yet. Peer pressure is wonderful! The smiles are unbelievable.

 

[Bugkiller99]

Been volunteering with BSA for years. Our church has sponsored Scouts since it started (church). Had generations of Scouts pass through the doors. Yes we teach Marksmanship. There are still 12 Scout Laws. Scout Motto still the same.

Good leaders are better than all the money popcorn brings in.

Try it. You will never regret it.

 

[BruceHMX]

I love when people post if I said what I want they would ban me.

The bottom line is Scouting is as good as it's leaders. Many have said this already. Get off your *** go find a troop and help out. It's kind of like voting if you don't you can't complain!!

I was up at 0500, went into my Govt job that I have had for 14 years. Did 20 years in the Army. Still don't know if I have a job tomorrow. But you know what? I took my son to a merit badge group at 1700 that lasted till 2030. I'm a single parent. It's called DEDICATION guys. All the friggin crying about how it used to be. Well it's not used to be anymore. You either support it or you don't!! Bottom line.

Any Eagle Scout who does not step up during these times and help with a troop know matter how small doesn't deserve the title.

By the way the popcorn must be great the Marines in my office eat it all the time. How do I know. I bought all the left overs.

I love a lot of you guys from years back on this forum. But man give it a rest.

Yeah some of you have touched a big nerve. Go help rather than bitch on a forum.

 

[ditrina]

My comment to this thread would result in a ding, slap, pound or whatever.

WWW

Good Call...