The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) are back in national news, and this time the attention seems welcome.
The venerable organization, which received a federal charter from President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, has for more than a century been praised for fulfilling its original aim, quoting from the charter, “to promote ... the ability of boys to do things for themselves and for others, to train them in scout-craft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues.”
The BSA has also been heavily criticized, particularly in recent years, for being restrictive and discriminatory in both its membership and leadership policies.
But that has changed. In May 2013, the BSA National Council voted to remove restrictions that could deny membership based on sexual orientation. The decision earned praise nationwide but angered conservative organizations and churches that had worked closely with BSA over the years.
Two years later, the BSA National Executive Board voted to lift the organization’s ban on openly gay scout leaders and employees. On Monday, BSA announced that transgender youth would be allowed to enroll in boys-only programs, effective immediately. Previously, the sex listed on an applicant’s birth certificate determined eligibility for participation.
These changes are welcome, but national headlines aside, scouting has continued locally, with outdoor adventure, camaraderie and community service as high as ever on each scout’s list of priorities. Anyone focused on controversy has been missing the point altogether. Some great examples:
In September 2015, Nick Jernigan completed a large part of his requirements for Eagle Scout recognition by installing 15 handmade bird nesting boxes at Durango Nature Studies with help from fellow Troop 501 scouts, family and friends.
In November, scouts and volunteers led by Lukas Adamski of Troop 538 built a canine agility course for search and rescue K-9 training.
More recently, aspiring Eagle Scout Trevor Snodgrass kindled excitement and smiles with three giant checkerboards he designed, built and donated to entertain kids at Chapman Hill, the Mason Center and the Durango Community Recreation Center.
On Sunday, Scouts from Troop 501, including prospective Eagle Scout Alex Kolter, turned out, snow shovels in hand, in response to a call from local firefighters to help find hydrants buried in the snow piled up on Durango’s sidewalks.
The path to becoming an Eagle Scout before the age of 18 is never easy. Among the many requirements is the need to earn at least 21 merit badges, demonstrate exemplary behavior and leadership, and to organize and complete an extensive service project. Only about one in eight scouts earn the distinction.
Well-known Eagle Scouts include many astronauts, including Neil Armstrong; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer; filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Michael Moore; New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; and President Gerald R. Ford, who credited his Eagle Scout training for preparing him for later athletic and political challenges.
“One of the main goals of an Eagle Scout project is to challenge the candidate with a project he’s to manage,” said Troop 538 Scoutmaster Jeff Mason, speaking about the K-9 course. “It’s not just coming up with (an idea) and pitching it, but organizing it, getting the materials and handling the scope of the project. That’s typically a pretty big challenge.”
And a challenge to be embraced. These boys – and local scouts of all ages – deserve our thanks and praise.
