If your local priest also acted as the scout leader, would your son be up for a bit of 'camping'?

Answer 1

I normally dont get into questions that have 3 or more answers because I know my answer will never be chosen, but as so many of the answers were uninformed, wrong, or just plain mean I have to step up.

I am a Scout Leader, Cubmaster of Packs 526, and 578 in the Hiawathaland Council, and I have sat on many Boy Scout review Boards, and assisted in the Leadership of Boy Scout Troops 510, 526, and 532.

By the way, the asker never said the priest was Catholic, but, yes, a religious figure can be a leader, any person over the age of 21 can be, there is no rule which says a Scout Leader has to be a parent.

Also, an Athiest CAN be a Scout Leader, that restriction was declared unconstitutional a decade or so ago.

The Boy Scouts of America have been the leading force in this Nation, and many other nations as well, at implementing Youth Protection, most incoming leaders go through background checks, so I guess it may actually be a good thing to have religious leaders becoming Scout Leaders, the BSA could have exposed a few of the violaters years ago.

However, protecting our youth means the parents have to be involved. Many parents see the Scouting organizations as drop off day care, the responcible parents sit in on a few meetings, or assist in meetings, or join in the camp outs. And there is no replacement for being informed. I make every parent in my Unit take the Youth Protection Course that the link below will take you to. Even the parents who have no leadership role in the unit.

There is also a newer version of a video called "It could happen to me" available through any BSA Council, which you should watch with your child, it explaines to the kids what they should be watching for, and how to react when something happens with anybody who slips past the background checks.

Hope your son has an enjoyable camp out.

Answer 2

The Boy Scouts of America requires all leaders to complete Youth Protection Training, and recertify annually.

We also teach the youth the basic of Youth Protection, so they share in their own protection. Most units teach the parents as well.

The main premise is that an adult in the Scouts is never to be alone with a child- we call it the Rule of Three. We also teach youth what to look for an avoid, and to report. We teach leaders how to take reports and pass them on immediately, etc.

With all the focus on Scouts and priests as molesters, it is often forgotten that over 75% of sexual abuse occurs at the hands of family or close family friends- and most of those kids are still in hiding.

We may hate to admit it, but Uncle Joe is far more of a threat than Father Smith is.

Answer 3

BTK was a scout leader and church goer.

Rader served on both the Sedgwick County's Board of Zoning Appeals and the Animal Control Advisory Board (appointed in 1996 and resigned in 1998). He was also a member of Christ Lutheran Church, a Lutheran congregation of about 200 people. He had been a member for about 30 years and had been elected president of the Congregation Council. He was also a Cub Scout leader and registered member of the Republican Party.

Answer 4

You know, this really is beating a dead horse.

Yes, a small number of priests like young boys.

Yes, the Church covered it up rather than deal with it.

Yes, it's coming out in the news, so now the small minded rumor mongers can drool eternally over the Bad Things that someone else did.

Then, something else will happen, and the small minded rumor mongers can drool over something else.

You know, I wonder how the abused boys would feel knowing that everything they've been through is being used and trivialized by some twit who wants to snipe at the church on Y!A R&S?

Edit -

Pjerry2 - Bite Me. Twit offended me, I'm telling him I'm offended. If it bothers you're delicate sensibilities. Tough. I'm all broken up inside.

boo hoo. I'm crying. Hear it?

Answer 5

I don't even know my local priest but when I was in high school my two best friends (they are brothers) used to go on a week long RV camping trip to Florida every spring with Father Paul (our local priest) and *nothing bad* happened.

Answer 6

My son has been in scouting for many many years. He will be getting his Eagle Scout soon....project is already finished. But I have to say, if his troop was lead by a catholic priest, we would have changed troops immediately!!

I am not catholic bashing...but truth is truth. The California catholic church is not payin out 600 million dollars to victims for nothing!

Answer 7

be careful with the word 'camping', you might be perceived as suggesting priests and scout leaders are gay.

Answer 8

Priests cannot usually qualify to be scout leaders.

Answer 9

Let's just say my son wouldn't pitch a tent for any priest.

Answer 10

Yes, he would (jerk).
People like you love to accuse an entire group of people, just like racists do with people not of their own race. Statistically speaking, a child is safer with a priest than with his/her uncle.