My thoughts on the Boy Scouts

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Freakin A I would like to see the fathers STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

I'm happy to get out of the way of the fathers. COME ON AND RELEASE ME ALREADY. GET ONE OF THE FATHERS TO DO THE JOB.

Not going to happen.

I think that a shift of responsibility back to where it belongs, coupled with a retraction of the overarching camping emphasis, would be better for the boys. Those that fall through can get role models from their YM leaders. Take scouting and the overemphasis on camping out of it.

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

K-Dog, I think your argument will eventually win out. I think it is the wrong decision. But the march out of scouting is inevitable. Future Mormon kids will have to be in non-LDS troops (which are actually run better anyway).

I just think we can get a larger benefit without the trappings of scouting than with.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by K-dog

I think that a shift of responsibility back to where it belongs, coupled with a retraction of the overarching camping emphasis, would be better for the boys. Those that fall through can get role models from their YM leaders. Take scouting and the overemphasis on camping out of it.

Camping is the smallest issue IMO. Coming up with activities week after week is draining. At least scouting provides a framework with that.

You know what your plan will end up with? Basketball every week.

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Camping is the smallest issue IMO. Coming up with activities week after week is draining. At least scouting provides a framework with that.

You know what your plan will end up with? Basketball every week.

Hopefully my plan will end up with father/son activities every week. Basketball if that is the way you communicate with your son. Concerts if that is the way it works for you. Camping if that works. Bottom line, fathers and sons spending time together is better than scouting.

[MikeWaters]

Here is what is going to happen:

1. Church will drop scouting.
2. Non-official LDS troops will start up. They will have strong scoutmasters and strong committees. They will be superior to the old LDS troops. They will of course not be tied to specific wards.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by K-dog

Hopefully my plan will end up with father/son activities every week. Basketball if that is the way you communicate with your son. Concerts if that is the way it works for you. Camping if that works. Bottom line, fathers and sons spending time together is better than scouting.

You are delusional. Fathers showing up every Wed. night to run activities.

In the back of my mind I seem to recall you were raised by a single mom? If not, think of your own father and the fathers you knew.

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Here is what is going to happen:

1. Church will drop scouting.
2. Non-official LDS troops will start up. They will have strong scoutmasters and strong committees. They will be superior to the old LDS troops. They will of course not be tied to specific wards.

I hope so. Then, if my son wants to be a scouter, I'm on board. If he wants to join his AAU basketball team instead, I'll be a coach. If he wants to put on tights and dance in the ballet, I'll get a book on the subject and attend his...whatevers.

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

You are delusional. Fathers showing up every Wed. night to run activities.

In the back of my mind I seem to recall you were raised by a single mom? If not, think of your own father and the fathers you knew.

You still think there needs to be activities at the Church every Wednesday night. I don't. The Church should continue its move away from such activity nights.

I wasn't raised by a single mom, just had an absent father.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by K-dog

I hope so. Then, if my son wants to be a scouter, I'm on board. If he wants to join his AAU basketball team instead, I'll be a coach. If he wants to put on tights and dance in the ballet, I'll get a book on the subject and attend his...whatevers.

and if he doesn't want to go to the lame Wed. night YM activities? You know it is not either/or.

[MikeWaters]

I don't agree that the small amount of time taken away from families for scouting is damaging to the father/son relationship. I strongly disagree with your cost/benefit analysis.

Make these kids' worlds bigger. Give them more role models. Let them learn to work things out with their LDS peers, just as they will have to do when they are adults. Let them have a little bit of adventure and challenge.

You are proposing more FHE. Stupid.