This week news reports explained that the Boy Scouts of America is re-considering its ban on gay scouts and scoutmasters after decades. If approved by the national board, local chartering organizations such as schools, churches, and civic clubs would be free to admit or refuse membership based upon sexual orientation.
Does this mean that we could one day see a change in Scout policy on things like skinny-dipping too? Well, probably not in the near future. But it does show that mindsets and rules do evolve. We can only hope that exchanging swim suits for birthday suits becomes an option over time.
Then we could go back to the way swimming was once upon a time.
I came from a large scouting family. Our scout camp had open outdoor showers, and skinny-dipping was simply practical while camping and hiking in remote areas. If scouting had rules about such things, we were unaware of them. I have no problem with gays in scouting. As in the military, they've always been there. But it is a private organization and the sponsors often set the rules, as they should have the freedom to.
ReplyDeleteThey are not really a private organization. They are not chartered by some state like most organizations, but chartered by Congress. This gives them free access to certain taxpayer-owned facilities such as unused military bases, as well as other preferential treatment.
ReplyDeleteNot so sure adding naked kids to that nest of pervs is the best idea... Yeah, we know; they're not ALL child molestors.
ReplyDeleteAt a weekend campout we attended with our boys one of the most popular games, organized by the leaders, was 'schmeer the queer', involving surrounding someone and pounding them with thrown balls. Just good, clean, wholesome fun for boys! Raising them to be REAL men!
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Playing catch with a (for awhile) live frog was also a lot of fun as the boys learned respect for nature and other living things.
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No, we pulled our kids out after the fist-fight on the church balcony during a service when the boys were supposed to be in the basement at a meeting. Not the first time, either. Great leadership and great examples, those scoutmasters!
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Let the boys run around naked with that bunch? No thanks, we'd rather they spend a weekend at a retreat for priests.
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ReplyDeleteWe always appreciate the insights shared here. Food for thought...
ReplyDeleteAt a major summer camp for Scouts, most of my fellow scouts laughed at the head swimming instructor for wearing Speedos. (I do not know if they had not been exposed to that type of swimwear before, but they were obviously uncomfortable with it. Most took showers in their swimsuits. Naked showering was a major issue at meetings leading up to camp. Most were told that showering in their suits was normal. I know most schools were showering optional.)
ReplyDeleteMy fellow scouts would laugh at their own scoutmasters because we knew they'd shower naked and didn't care (for some strange reason). Adults could only shower in the wee hours of the morning or late a night. Never with Scouts or risk being labeled a pedophile and forced to retire. The event would also ruin their scout's career. They were not even allowed to be in the bathhouse at all during scouts' shower period. I believe this fear of being seen shaped our view of nudity more than anything. I can only imagine the further insecurity it created for my fellow scouts. (In contrast, things were very relaxed with the Venture Crew, a co-ed branch of scouting).
I was an outcast to begin with so they treated me less than dirt and I had little to lose. Therefore, I could shower naked if I wanted (and did, but not always and with other troops sometimes) because I was the "strange kid" (I think at one point I got a complaint for showering). They wouldn't steal my clothing because it meant they would be sent home to the humiliation of their parents (a fate worse than any) and only seemed to make them hate me more.
So, I'm of two minds. On one side, with the proper leadership (few and far between in my experience) it could help boys accept themselves and others. Help expand their minds and learn that their bodies are okay. However, I could also see it being added to the arsenal of the far too frequent Bully Scout (pushed by their father/family) and used against new scouts and other "weak ones."