BSA GSA / Scouting Alternatives

[temporal1]

Boy Scouts of America are again in the news.

In 2013, BSA national leaders defied scouts and their families by subjectively choosing to allow openly homosexual boys to join. “Subjectively,” because, this was not forced by law. The USSC ruled BSA could choose their rules:
https://answersingenesis.org/family/hom ... phase-one/

.. Just thirteen years ago, the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed that fact that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), as a private membership organization, is free to admit or deny admittance to anyone they choose. And now, the BSA has chosen ..

(i added bold.)
This decision was discussed on MD in 2013. Some forum members were/had been involved in scouting, as i recall, local accomodations were made for not saying oaths, etc., with positive overall experiences.

i was esp disturbed that decisions were made both in outright defiance of members’ wishes, and, there was no excuse of, “forced by law.” This speaks of political activism and social engneering in leadership, NOT, leadership representative of members, in this case: CHILDREN.

About that time, reports were aired about GSA contributing to abortion groups, and, some GSA groups marching in “pride” parades, etc ..

In 2013, my granddaughter was 5, i knew scouting was “a thing” in her school.
My daughter and i have spoken now+then. The child was not old enough then, but, time moves along.

It’s dfficult, when GSA cookies are cheerfully being sold out of parents’ car trunks in school parking lots, and, BSA popcorn is sold at entries to local grocers .. to be the wet blanket, to say, “no thank you.”

The 2013 decision was made with assurances+promises, “this is just about children!” - NOT LEADERS.
Sure it was. “Say anything,” do as you please.
At the time, after this was passed, just outside these “official” promises, libs were jubilant, not hesitating, proclaiming, “Yay! - Next step, leaders!” Not an hour passed before this chatter started up.

2018: No more Boy Scouts, they will now be, “Scouts,” open to girls .. right on schedule.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boy-scouts ... ing-ranks/

FWIW, In my mind, BSA and GSA died in 2013.
It’s ok. Nothing lasts forever.
They enjoyed decades. Now it’s time for museums. Not a problem.

i’ve watched, somewhat, as alternative scouting groups have formed and grown.
they seem to be doing well.
i hope they avoid political traps that BSA and GSA fell into.
more on alternatives below.

in 2018, alternatives are much stronger, more active+visible, than in 2013, when many felt blind-sided.

[temporal1]

The 2 alternative scouting groups i’ve most often read about are:
AHG / American Heritage Girls
https://www.americanheritagegirls.org/

Trail Life USA (boys)
https://www.traillifeusa.com/

Mormons plan to start their own scouting groups
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900 ... ative.html

There are others.
i’m not sure where 4-H falls into this. FFA is another group, not scouting, but, active.

This thread is open to discuss scouting and youth groups. Pros+cons, different groups, etc.
These groups are not a necessity of life. Some may believe they are not desirable or constructive. If so, i would appreciate hearing about the whys.

i’m a moderate. if the local group was a positive, then, ok.
i don’t feel scouting is a “have to,” but, a choice. first, a choice of parents!

i get the idea .. lots of people do not realize their local scouting group has a national office!
i think folks need to be aware, and, to be aware of what their national office leaders are up to.
ignoring leads to questionable/unwanted decisions like those BSA leaders made in 2013.

[Josh]

My understanding is most local scouting organisations rely on the national org to provide them with liability insurance. This is a pretty big deal, unless you close your local group to anyone you don’t know (basically which is what Mormons have done).

[MaxPC]

Our sons were Boy Scouts. They thoroughly enjoyed their time in BSA. Sadly our grandsons won't have that anymore but then all things pass eventually. Our sons are looking at Trail Life USA for their sons as Trail Life is more open about teaching and following Biblical principles (something BSA didn't do when our sons attended). They have insurance too. There's a search function to find local troops at the above link.

[DarkShallNotPrevail]

The Mormon church announced this week they were severing all ties, following BSA's recent name change to "Scout Me In". I'm trying to find the article, but I read yesterday that because the Mormon church had the largest church-sponsored BSA membership numbers, the BSA lost around 425,000 members.

I doubt BSA is going to last much longer; I was involved till the 2013 openly gay Scouts decision, and saw the affect it had on our very conservative Christian homeschooler-based group. BSA has suffered huge loses with every change they've made since then.

[temporal1]

The Mormon church announced this week they were severing all ties, following BSA's recent name change to "Scout Me In". I'm trying to find the article, but I read yesterday that because the Mormon church had the largest church-sponsored BSA membership numbers, the BSA lost around 425,000 members.

I doubt BSA is going to last much longer; I was involved till the 2013 openly gay Scouts decision, and saw the affect it had on our very conservative Christian homeschooler-based group. BSA has suffered huge loses with every change they've made since then.

i believe your father shared a bit about your family’s prior good experiences in 2013.
it’s too bad, but, it’s better to see things with clarity and act, rather than to slog along in denial.

in my real life, i have been a bit shocked to find how great denial is/has been.
when i’ve asked different ones about their children in BSA/GSA, they ASSURE me, “those national decisions” have NOTHING to do with THEIR children’s local troups!

parents-in-denial is a horrble thing. not just regarding scouts.
in real life, i see with my own eyes+ears, many parents are 100% clueless regarding what is happening regarding loss of parental rights, both in gov schools AND in health care. some even VOTE for these changes, in complete ignorance+denial.

they definitely “want” what they want, they take for granted that’s what they have, and will have. many do not vote. not for faith beliefs, but, because they cannot be bothered, and, they depend on others to take care of it.

this is not a suggestion to vote. just a description of what i witness.

there are several reports on the Mormon decision.
does the link above align with the one you read?

[Dan Z]

The Mormon church announced this week they were severing all ties, following BSA's recent name change to "Scout Me In". I'm trying to find the article, but I read yesterday that because the Mormon church had the largest church-sponsored BSA membership numbers, the BSA lost around 425,000 members.

I doubt BSA is going to last much longer; I was involved till the 2013 openly gay Scouts decision, and saw the affect it had on our very conservative Christian homeschooler-based group. BSA has suffered huge loses with every change they've made since then.

It's interesting how the issue of sexuality and gender identity can be so destructive - to organizations and churches alike.

Interestingly, Girl Scouts has not wavered in their commitment to being an organization for and about girls, although I'm sure they are being challenged as well.

[temporal1]

The Mormon church announced this week they were severing all ties, following BSA's recent name change to "Scout Me In". I'm trying to find the article, but I read yesterday that because the Mormon church had the largest church-sponsored BSA membership numbers, the BSA lost around 425,000 members.

I doubt BSA is going to last much longer; I was involved till the 2013 openly gay Scouts decision, and saw the affect it had on our very conservative Christian homeschooler-based group. BSA has suffered huge loses with every change they've made since then.

It's interesting how the issue of sexuality and gender identity can be so destructive - to organizations and churches alike.

Interestingly, Girl Scouts has not wavered in their commitment to being an organization for and about girls, although I'm sure they are being challenged as well.

in the past, esp regarding destruction of churches, i often wondered, if i were part of a group that i could see was causing such upheaval, to the point of destruction, would i persist in pushing+demanding others adjust to accomodate me?? esp in a Christian church setting, wherein humility and obedience are fundamental, not demanding and pride. pride, of all things! .. i see this in regard to women in ministry, too. so much pride.

it’s pride that is so destructive. covetousnous, jealousy, greed, self at center ..
these are anathema to Christianity.

GSA .. supports abortion groups, some troups participate in “pride” parades, etc.
there are problems. the idea of connecting children with abortion is abhorrent.
healthy children, by God’s design, protect and defend the vulnerable .. babies, other children, the elderly, animals .. children would have to be deliberately taught to kill.

it’s long been known in child psychology, children who harm or kill others or animals, display red flags for antisocial behaviors, sometimes foretelling grave disorders.
regarding abortion, how is this ignored?

i have little idea why GSA does not get media coverage like BSA does.

[Wayne in Maine]

Interestingly, Girl Scouts has not wavered in their commitment to being an organization for and about girls, although I'm sure they are being challenged as well.

I doubt that it will be challenged. That's not the agenda of those who pushed so hard on Boy Scouts to be inclusive. It is perfectly acceptable in modern America for women and girls to keep men and boys out of their organizations.

[temporal1]

Interestingly, Girl Scouts has not wavered in their commitment to being an organization for and about girls, although I'm sure they are being challenged as well.

I doubt that it will be challenged. That's not the agenda of those who pushed so hard on Boy Scouts to be inclusive. It is perfectly acceptable in modern America for women and girls to keep men and boys out of their organizations.

from what i gather .. questions are about “Scouts” eliminating both groups, esp if/when enough girls leave GSA for “Scouts.” i see this as likely.

i wish they would be truthful about it.
let the traditional groups die a natural death, start over.
rather than invading+grabbing ownership, like thieves in the night.

however, alternative groups are doing that, starting fresh. 3 groups listed above.
there are more than those 3. i’m not familiar with them. yet.