Dear Editor:
The Boy Scouts of America have been a wonderful organization for molding young boys into men of character with the skills they need to be self-reliant and helpful to others in need. A Scout in full uniform, proudly displaying the merit badges he has earned and perhaps the Order of the Arrow sash across his chest, is not the image I would hope to see standing on a street corner in Jim Thorpe, or in the Shop Rite in Brodheadsville, holding a can like a common beggar asking for money from passers-by so they can to "go to scout camp."
Scouts are "physically fit, mentally awake, and morally straight", and the time on the street corner or in front of a grocery store holding a can could be better spent doing odd jobs for someone, mowing lawns or raking leaves, to earn their way to scout camp.
Even the Brownies and Girl Scouts at least sell cookies to earn funds.
Leaders, whomever you are, please think of the image a beggar makes as opposed to all the values scouting stands for. I, for one, will not put a dollar in the can but would gladly give a large tip at a Scout run car wash.
Robert Drewes,
former Scoutmaster
Towamensing Township
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Comments
Robert,
you being a former Scoutmaster should know that the "Order of the arrow "is a cub scout thing not boy scouts. Mowing lawns or raking leaves is a community service and a scout can not charge for Community service. Scout troops do not get any financial support from their council and are responsible to raise their own funds. Their a many youth groups tagging (that’s what is called when the kids are out asking for donations) EG: cheerleaders. Football players, baseball players ect. all do it so I guess in your eyes their all beggars…The kids are doing the best they can with what little they have and not out causing trouble, My dollars are in all their jar.
I want to start by saying that I have been involved in Scouting since I was a Cub in the 70's. I an an adult volunteer and have 3 kids involved in the program. I would also like to thank you for supporting your local Scouts and ask for your continued support for their efforts. However, please support the boys in a way that they EARN their way to camp. IF a donation jar is on the table at teh burger burn and you put your money in the jar rather than purchase a burger that is fine, but the boys must never solicit or ask for money.
Robert, is correct. Scouts are not allowed to solicit for anything! The MUST provide a good or service. Any Unit that allows their Scouts or worse had their Scouts solicit /beg for money is doing so out side BSA policy. Scouts can charge for any service.If a Troop wants to have a fund raiser raking leaves in a neighborhood, this is perfectly legal/ acceptable and much more preferable than begging for money. Begging teaches the Boys nothing, it is not a leadership skill, it does not reinforce positive character traits, it is wrong.
Even though other youth organizations can and do solicit for donations, we are the Boy Scouts of America, and we EARN our way! Boys directly get support from their local Council in the form of camperships, and uniforms for those in need through the Scoutreach program. Ask you District Executive for the application.
Every Scout unit MUST submit a money earning application to their local council and wait the the application to be approved prior to any fund raising event, a local tour permit may be required as well. Robert is perfectly correct and NO ONE should ever see a Scout, especially one in a Scout uniform asking for money. If you do, please call the local Council office. I am sure a letter will be forthcoming to the unit that allow such an activity.
Furthermore, the "Order of the Arrow" (OA) is only for Boy Scouts!. The OA is the honor society for Boy Scouts. Please see http://www.oa-bsa.org/ The "Arrow of Light" is the highest Cub Scout award and usually earned by 5th grade boys in the WEBELOS program.
Scouting Volunteer
Proud parent of an Eagle Scout, Girl Scout Gold Award Daughter, Venturing Gold Award Daughter, Venturing Bronze award Son, and new Tenderfoot son.