Girls in Scouting, and the date set for mixed Scouting was the 1st of January, what do you think about the admission of girls into your section?

I have took part in a number of heated discussions about this subject, both for and against, and its nothing new to me because when I first got my Leaders Warrant back in 1990, I had to argue for the retention of a girl who had been a member of our Scout section, for over a year, but that's another story. Up until it was decided  to lower the Scouts leaving age, then yes I would have had to totally reconsider my acceptance of girls into the Scout section, (what a difference a year makes) but possibly the outcome would have been the same. Because before taking girls into the group I decided to have a trial period, just to see what impact they would have on the other Scouts, and myself. fortunately we had a Scout who's sister wanted to take part, and she agreed to attend for a trial period. Apart from the obvious physical differences, when it came to taking part in all the activity's as expected, she was no different than the boys, like them, some things she found easy, and others more difficult and she took part in everything the same as a boys. Having found no reason not to take girls after this trial period, the decision was taken to open just the Scout section to girls. Obviously when it comes to camping there are other things to consider, apart from the needs of a young girl. But as yet nothing that I have not been able to overcome, one way or another. I understand some peoples concerns regarding girls becoming the majority in some groups, with boys having to go on a waiting list before they can join. I have also come across one Scout group that only takes girls, with all the girls and Leaders having dropped out of Guides, will they now take boys? As far as I am concerned taking girls has been far less a problem, than trying to adjust to the lowering of the Scout age, and all the problems that's caused.

One of my disagreements is "who took the Scout out of Scouting"

If you have read my diary/Blog then you will know that I was first asked would I like to become a Cub Leader and my answer was no, because my temperament and skills were more suited to those of the scout age at the time, and as you can see in our magazine 'the Patrol' I was not wrong. Although over the years as Scouter in charge, at times I have run both Beaver, and Cub meetings, my proffered section is Scouts. There's something about helping a young person develop their social, and practical skills, helping them to gain the confidence to do different things, so that finally they want to help organize, and run things for themselves. there was nothing better than working together with the Patrol leaders organizing camps, hikes, and all manner of activity's for both themselves, and the younger scouts in the group. Also helping them with their preparations for the Chief Scouts Challenge, and the subsequent three days hike and two nights camping, and later watching the faces of the younger Scouts during the presentation put on by these older Scouts. with them  looking forward to day when they will hopefully aspire to something just as impressive. Also working with the Patrol Leader in the organization of their first Patrol camp, and later watching them with their assistant Patrol Leader etc, instructing the younger Scouts in preparation for the big day. Helping the Patrols with the building of those large pioneering projects, planning the next camp or display together, and deciding who is doing what, organizing cooking rotas and menu's who's going to get the food, and when and where are we going. Helping with the planning and organization of those  more adventurous over thirteen activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award etc, but with the Scouts themselves taking an active part!

All this has gone! Thirteen is to young for them to take on all those responsibilities, and with no older Scouts to aspire to, its becoming more and more difficult to organise a working Patrol. Also because the Troops made up of younger Scouts, its become more noticeable that they are less dependable when it comes to attendance, with them being more dependant on their parents to take them to and from the Scout meetings or activities. Another thing that was less apparent before because of the grater age range is, if the schools doing something  at the same time as Scouts, I loose all but the odd few to school. The same applies when they start secondary school and the parents start pushing them to take part in all those extra school things like football, rugby, cricket etc. Also without the older Scouts to help, when it comes to going camping, I now have to do all the organizing, make all the arrangements, keep everyone happy, and watch over all these younger Scouts myself. And its always been the same, the younger Scouts parents are less dependable than those of the older Scouts. What used to be something to look foreword to, is now slowly becoming more and more difficult to do, and as for all those adventurous activities, its the Scouts that are loosing out, lead and I will follow the aspiration of the younger Scouts has been taken away from them within their Troop/Group.

After

Before

During my Leader Training we were taught to do a W W W - what went well after everything we organised, we were told that by doing this this we would learn by our mistakes, and hopefully do things better next time. Well its something I have tried to do whenever possible, although sometimes the outcome has been somewhat of a contrast, to what was at first,  thought the best way to do things. We can all learn from each others opinions when they are given  as advice, and not as a criticism. so with this in mind I have produced this, the Soap box page.