Not my favorite Org: the Boy Scouts

[liveonearth]

Turns out the Scouts are not so pro-conservation that they won't sell off tracts of woodlands to developers, or loads of lumber from their "camps", for a pocketful of cash. And there are other distasteful things about them, not the least of which is a long record of homophobia. I learned something of their culture when I was working as a riverguide. While it's important for someone to teach values to the youth, I'm not sure exactly what values are being taught these days by the scouts. Are any of you scouts? My father was an eagle scout. Here's a collection of articles that sheds light on the organization and what they're up to:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/specials/scoutslogging/

Comments

[inibo.livejournal.com]

I was in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts back in the Sixties. All I remember was lots of fun craft stuff like the Pinewood Derby and camping with my friends. I don't remember any kind of indoctrination other than to be a good boy. Maybe because I was a kid in Eisenhower/Kennedy era West Virgina the Scouts didn't need to indoctrinate us because life was an indoctrination.

[hausfrauatu.livejournal.com]

My son wants to join, but I haven't let him. Boy scout parents are creepy. Plus, I think my son may not be exactly straight, so I don't want him in homophobic environments. I feel bad because my oldest girl is really into the girl scouts. I've even been a troupe leader.

It's sad, really. It's a great organization. Plus the founder was probably gay. Closeted, but gay.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Ha. I didn't know that about the founder. I do see that it can be really beneficial for groups of kids to have interesting civilized activities outside of school....but the girl scouts. Oh, don't get me started. They are IMPOSSIBLE to run a raft trip for. So picky and protective of their precious girls. At least the boy scouts get to rough-house and be boys.

So do you have a plan B for your boy? Or does he?