Boy Souts

[RCDad]

Are any of you involved in boy scouts? When I was a kid, this organization was so different, now as a father of two boy and being forced to be a scout leader I see that this is solely driven by money.

For instance, they claim the popcorn they sell stays with the pack, however, about half stays in the pack, the rest goes to wherever.

Everything has become so expensive, it just amazes me how commercialized the boy scouts have become.

 

[NCNitro]

So who's actually forcing you to be a scout leader? If you are forced to do anything, it will not be enjoyable. Do your kids want to be scouts, or are they being forced as well? Just curious, as I would much rather spend my time with my two boys enjoying it, not feeling as though I was forced to be there.

 

[FastEddy]

I ate a Browne when I was a kid.

 

[RCDad]

For us it was either we became scout leaders or our kids would not be in the scouts. No one else wanted to do it

 

[sweetdiesel]

I ate a Browne when I was a kid.

Did it taste like chicken or fish?




RCDad, I was involved with the scouts many years ago, but left as soon as I achieved my Eagle Scout. Back then my troop was relatively new, we did much more scouting activities like camping and hiking than we did fund raising. It was amazing back then how we could go on a three day camping trip and have all the food provided for only 20 bucks! Talk about learning how to budget! It was fun, but after I achieved my Eagle Scout ranking I kind of fell out of it.

My nephew is currently in the same troop that I was in many years ago and they are more concerned with kids not moving up in rank than anything else. They kick the kids out if they don't show any progression after 6 months. My nephew hates it but is being forced to stay in it. They do alot of fundraising but they do not get their supplies from the BSA. They do things like car washes, creating community newsletters and selling them at fairs, basically things that do not directly profit the BSA. I do not know how your troop is run, but if you need to fund raise there are definitely ways to do it and all the money stays in the Troop. If you are being asked to be a Scoutmaster, and you decide to do it, please put all your energy into it. It is a thankless job and your kids deserve it and will appreciate you for it later in life.

Right now you sound a bit cynical about taking the position because of fund raising issues, but if you join you have a chance to figure those issues out and there is any wrong doing going on, you have a chance to try and stop it.

 

[Rolex]

Did it taste like chicken or fish?

That's from the seafood thread.
FastEddy, you make my sides ache.