Thank you for your editorial highlighting the accomplishments of the Boy Scouts in our community (Herald, Feb. 1). The local Boy Scouts troops do some amazing service in our community, and these young men deserve the recognition.
I wish to take issue with the headline of your editorial, however. The “national news” of the Boy Scouts of America allowing transgender Scouts is not a negative.
It took nearly 35 years for the Boy Scouts of America to realize the difference between a homosexual and a pedophile. The issue of transgender scouts was resolved in a matter of weeks instead of years.
The Boys Scouts of America is becoming more agile – more flexible – as time progresses. I’m proud of that.
But the values we teach the Scouts: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, reverent – among many others – do not change. These are values that every young man and woman can learn and benefit from.
So, while the Boy Scouts of America has been evolving, the coverage of the Scouts must as well.
Please understand that many of us in the leadership of our troops feel that this is not a problem but another step in the evolution of an organization over a century old.
Rob Kolter
Durango
Rob Kolter is scoutmaster of Durango’s Troop 501
