About a year ago, my troop began planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park for 2008. We set up a seperate committee incuding boys and adults. My scoutmaster though, is not in favor of the trip what-so-ever because he thinks that the cabin we are staying in is too nice for Boy Scouts. A few months ago he came to a Yellowstone committee meeting for the first time so far. The only thing that he said though is that he is banning all of the boys from the yellowstone meetings because it is not a trip that we should be planning. All of the other adults though want us to be there so that we can give our opinion on what we want to do on the trip. The adults do not want to tell him this because it will start an argument, and he may then try to cancel the whole trip. Also, every few days he will bring up the trip to us and he keeps telling us that if we do not raise enough money or have enough boys go, that we will not be going on the trip. Is it right for him to ban us all from the meetings?
2007-07-20 04:18:40 · 7 answers · asked by Bradley K 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Hello Bradley:
Thank you for your question. The organization is called the Boy Scouts, not the Old Man Scouts. To ban a youth member from a planning committee for a trip that the youth choose to organize is wholly against the precepts of the movement. The purpose of the movement is to train young men to make decisions. I've heard of Scoutmasters having to beg, prod, bribe and pressure boys to attend planning meetings, but a SM who bars boys from them needs to revisit the training book.
Is your Scoutmaster the adult in charge of the activity, or is another adult the designated adult for this outing? If your Scoutmaster is the designated leader, perhaps you should request the Committee appoint another leader for this specific trip.
Finding suitable Scoutmasters is difficult, so you don't want to alienate your current SM. Do you know his specific objections other than the lodging? The focus of the experience is planning and executing the trip, not specifically staying in tents. You will have less equipment to deal with, and can just enjoy the experience.
Mind you, however, Yellowstone is a fantastic area for camping. Did your group look into back-country camping as an option? You might go with an outfitter, rather than staying at the lodge the whole time. This way they supply the gear, food, and itinerary, you just go and enjoy the activity.
If you would like a better forum for this type of query, visit http://www.scouter.com/Forums/ . There are thousands of very experienced Scouters who may have more insight to this situation.
Keep on Scoutin'
2007-07-20 13:41:55 · answer #1 · answered by OrakTheBold 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not right. This is the Boy Scouts! It is all about the members. Your Scout Master has several bosses. It use to be called the Troops committee it's like a board of directors. They are the ones who approved your Scout Master to be in the position he is in. Now the Scouts are about you boys not not the Scout Masters wishes.However if there is something going on that you are not aware of that is known by your leader I think it is only right to your troop to know his real view. Where and how you boys spend the monies for your outings is suppose to benifit all. Sleep under a rock or a 5 star hotel. The best thing I can suggest is use your chain of command all the way to the committee if that has to be to satisifing end for all. I'm sure there is more to this than meets the eye. Do things the right way that is what Scouting is all about you should learn alot from this experience that's a plus as well.
Good Luck and more important Good Scouting. 1970 Eagle Scout Troop 209 Tall Pine Council Michigan.
2007-07-20 04:58:38 · answer #2 · answered by mo55440 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should be at the meetings. Do I understand correctly that his only complaint is the cabins? I know that tents are probably traditional, but I think you would learn a lot from being included in the planning stage compared to what you would learn from staying in tent or other cabins. Maybe you and a few other boys can tell him this. That you would learn a lot about planning and organizing from the meetings.
I don't know if it's possible but would you still be able to do the trip but stay in tents instead? Good Luck!
2007-07-20 04:31:16 · answer #3 · answered by Simba 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think he is right and it sounds like an abuse of power, but his reasoning is unreasonable. You can report him to the Council, which I don't recommend, or you do it in a non-sanctioned trip--not as scouts just as people. I think going to Yellow Stone is a great idea and should not be discouraged. When I was a scout, the camping was my favorite and we did plenty of camping and hikes. I have gained a life love of nature from my Scout leader who was an ex Army Drill Sargent and loved the out of doors. That said there is a chance that if guys go over his head or alienate him he may quit and one of you guys will have to take over. Discuss his resolutions for his cabin dilemma and if he hasn't any reasonable ones then he should relent. Good luck.
2007-07-20 04:27:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be frank. If he won't let you go as Boy scouts, you'll go anyway and have fun. He can't tell you what is or isn't a good learning experience.
I recommend you get together with your adults and friends and plan the trip without him as a wet blanket. Rather than fund raising as boy scouts, do it as friends or get jobs to pay for the trip.
A good Scout leader should always try to focus on ways to involve the members in things that they are interested in, not try to tell them what they should be interested in.
2007-07-20 04:24:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a boy scout and my opinion is The Boy Scouts are an organization where the scouts should be in lead the troup no matter what you are doing. I believe that it is the leaders job to oversee and supervise the boy scouts actions. Your leader has(in my opinion, not to be rude) abused his powers as a leader.
Anyway; Keep On Scouting
2007-07-20 11:16:32 · answer #6 · answered by Tim 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont know but that sounds messed up that he is trying everything he can to bann the trip bc he does not like that cabin. YES I WOULD MAKE UNROAR ABOUT THIS he is nto being fair. Is there anyone higher up then him that you can speak too. HE IS NOT BEING FAIR and no he can not ban the parents from meetings they are the legal gardians they have say
2007-07-20 04:23:57 · answer #7 · answered by knowssignlanguage 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋