3 ms·

I was emotionally and psychically abused in cub scouts, led by the pack leader because I did not buy into her specific image of evangelical Christianity. This w

by op00to 5y ago

I was emotionally and psychically abused in cub scouts, led by the pack leader because I did not buy into her specific image of evangelical Christianity. This was in a suburb outside of NYC in the 90s. the lack of oversight and vetting allowed this to proceed and turned more than a few kids off Boy scouting. I would send my kids to Baden-Powell scouting if that was an option.

tablespoon 5y ago
> I would send my kids to Baden-Powell scouting if that was an option. What's the difference?
- _j5l3 5y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baden-Powell_Scouts%27_Association https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baden-Powell_Scouts%27_Associa... vs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America Baden-Powell scouting is co-ed, non-religious, and founded in the 70s. Boy Scouts of America is the 'original' version, and, as recently as 15 years ago (I think some of this has changed since) explicitly excluded atheists, girls, and gay kids. BSA leadership is (or was, I think this has changed) heavily influenced by conservative Mormons. Also, they culturally appropriate the fuck out of Native American culture. Think white suburban dads dancing around with costume jewelry and plastic headdresses dancing 'native style' dances to 'commune with the Great Spirit of the land'. I'm glad of my time spent in BSA, but I wish I'd had the opportunity for BP instead.
lesuorac 5y ago
Adventure Scouts [1] is another option. [1]: https://www.adventurescoutsusa.org/#:~:text=Adventure%20Scouts%20USA%20are%20nationwide,friendships%20which%20last%20a%20lifetime https://www.adventurescoutsusa.org/#:~:text=Adventure%20Scou....
taylodl 5y ago
Had a similar experience with Cub Scouts in the 70's. I just stopped going. Joined the Boy Scouts because I had several friends who'd joined and were talking about the awesome camping adventures they had. That went well until the Scoutmaster quit 2-3 years later for whatever reason. The new Scoutmaster wasn't into the high adventure camping and believed the troop should head another direction. That was the end for me. That's the single biggest problem with scouting - your experience is going to be largely dependent on the adult leadership. You can have dramatically different experiences depending on what pack or troop you're in and leadership changes often make what was a good experience a poor one.
- Teknoman117 5y ago
  > The new Scoutmaster wasn't into the high adventure camping and believed the troop should head another direction. That was the end for me. The high-adventure trips were the best part for me. The multi-week canoeing trip in the boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada (northern-tier), multi-week sailing trip and snorkeling in the Florida Keys, the Philmont backing trip, etc. Our troop took backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, Talladega national forest in Alabama, etc. Many fun memories with family and friends. I was in 3 troops as a kid due to moving around. The troop in the Chicago area was a fantastic example of a by-the-book Boy Scout troop. The scouts ran the show and the adults only got involved if we were about to do something very stupid (making non-dangerous mistakes and learning from them is an important part of maturing), or if the decision required an adult to sign off (spending troop money, etc.). The one in Alabama was more laid back, kind of boy and adult led, but the adults definitely did more of the work than the chicago area troop. The one in the bay area I joined ended up being a rich kid dick measuring contest and I quickly left the troop, which was the end of my time in the Boy Scouts.
- op00to 5y ago
  I was never given the opportunity for the more exciting trips because I was not Christian enough.
sneak 5y ago
I have a similar story about a crazy hyperchristian scout leader from suburban SE Michigan in the 90s. I ended up getting de-facto kicked out for my atheism.
- op00to 5y ago
  Same. The scout leader took my parents aside and told them I was going to hell, and blah blah blah. That was the end of that.

by op00to 5y ago

tablespoon 5y ago

> I would send my kids to Baden-Powell scouting if that was an option. What's the difference?

_j5l3 5y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baden-Powell_Scouts%27_Association https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baden-Powell_Scouts%27_Associa... vs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America Baden-Powell scouting is co-ed, non-religious, and founded in the 70s. Boy Scouts of America is the 'original' version, and, as recently as 15 years ago (I think some of this has changed since) explicitly excluded atheists, girls, and gay kids. BSA leadership is (or was, I think this has changed) heavily influenced by conservative Mormons. Also, they culturally appropriate the fuck out of Native American culture. Think white suburban dads dancing around with costume jewelry and plastic headdresses dancing 'native style' dances to 'commune with the Great Spirit of the land'. I'm glad of my time spent in BSA, but I wish I'd had the opportunity for BP instead.

lesuorac 5y ago

Adventure Scouts [1] is another option. [1]: https://www.adventurescoutsusa.org/#:~:text=Adventure%20Scouts%20USA%20are%20nationwide,friendships%20which%20last%20a%20lifetime https://www.adventurescoutsusa.org/#:~:text=Adventure%20Scou....

taylodl 5y ago

Had a similar experience with Cub Scouts in the 70's. I just stopped going. Joined the Boy Scouts because I had several friends who'd joined and were talking about the awesome camping adventures they had. That went well until the Scoutmaster quit 2-3 years later for whatever reason. The new Scoutmaster wasn't into the high adventure camping and believed the troop should head another direction. That was the end for me. That's the single biggest problem with scouting - your experience is going to be largely dependent on the adult leadership. You can have dramatically different experiences depending on what pack or troop you're in and leadership changes often make what was a good experience a poor one.

Teknoman117 5y ago
> The new Scoutmaster wasn't into the high adventure camping and believed the troop should head another direction. That was the end for me. The high-adventure trips were the best part for me. The multi-week canoeing trip in the boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada (northern-tier), multi-week sailing trip and snorkeling in the Florida Keys, the Philmont backing trip, etc. Our troop took backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, Talladega national forest in Alabama, etc. Many fun memories with family and friends. I was in 3 troops as a kid due to moving around. The troop in the Chicago area was a fantastic example of a by-the-book Boy Scout troop. The scouts ran the show and the adults only got involved if we were about to do something very stupid (making non-dangerous mistakes and learning from them is an important part of maturing), or if the decision required an adult to sign off (spending troop money, etc.). The one in Alabama was more laid back, kind of boy and adult led, but the adults definitely did more of the work than the chicago area troop. The one in the bay area I joined ended up being a rich kid dick measuring contest and I quickly left the troop, which was the end of my time in the Boy Scouts.
op00to 5y ago
I was never given the opportunity for the more exciting trips because I was not Christian enough.

sneak 5y ago

I have a similar story about a crazy hyperchristian scout leader from suburban SE Michigan in the 90s. I ended up getting de-facto kicked out for my atheism.

op00to 5y ago
Same. The scout leader took my parents aside and told them I was going to hell, and blah blah blah. That was the end of that.