Context: I was a Boy Scout for a number of years, making Eagle in 2020 right as COVID was really kicking off.
It was right afterwards, however, that the CSA scandal started popping up everywhere (which thankfully I was never exposed to or involved in during my time), and lately it seems like the organization & movement as a whole has fallen by the sociocultural wayside.
I would say that my time as a Scout did me objective good; I learned a decent amount about first-aid & survival-craft, participated in a number of volunteer & civic projects, and it generally made me a more well-rounded person. However, there’s no denying the impact that something “bigger than the Catholic Church scandal”, as I’ve heard it described, has on an institution such as this.
I’d like to get the community’s opinion, however; were any of you Scouts? How was your experience? What is your opinion of the institution today?
I was a scout, I made it to life then stopped going to church around 15. Even though it was largely connected to church, I remember it fondly. Scout is some of my best memories.
I think it’s a shame that they have fallen, however, I understand why it has.
Same, I was a couple badges and my project shy of Eagle when I finally threw in the towel. Order of the Arrow was great, we got to do tons of fun stuff. As an electrician, i still use some of the knots i learned to pull wire, among other things.
BSA had a reputation for having a pedophile problem back in the 90s as I recall, though. Im sure it went back farther.
I wasn’t tapped for the order of the arrow. My brother was though. He got this really cool wooden arrow.
I was tapped, but then my scoutmaster stopped me and said “not you” and then his son went. He was a cunt and only helped his sons. I’m glad I broke his ribs when we played touch football later.
That’s bullcrap, it must have hurt your feelings. I was sent home from Tomahawk Scout Camp because I was smoking cigarettes. It really affected me to be sent home, it was humiliating. I understand now that I shouldn’t have been smoking there. My addiction was too strong at that time.
It absolutely did. It wasn’t the first or last time he was an asshole to me though. He was just shitty all around. Once his cheating wife divorced him he chilled out. Figure that either knocked the stuffing out of him or unloaded a mountain of stress. But it was too little too late. I attribute my dislike of camping to him. He always made it boring and pointless.
That sucks you got booted from Tomahawk camp though man. That would be embarrassing to me too. Did you make Eagle? I barely did.
I only made it to life.
I almost stayed there. Took some kind people outside of the scoutmaster moving things along to get me there because he wouldn’t. I almost aged out.
Earning the Eagle Scout is an awesome achievement. Well done.