Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts played an important part of my young life growing up. I looked forward to campouts and all of the many activities we did in Scouts. Many of the highlights of my years as a Scout were the many camping trips. We learned about nature and how to survive in the wild as well as things like first aid, lifesaving, canoeing and rescuing someone in trouble. I learned many skills, some of which I still use today and some which I wish I was still able to use today.
On camping trips, we slept 2-4 of us boys in a single tent, depending on the size and number of tents available. Getting dressed, changing clothes and cleaning up was not an issue since we were all boys. At official Scout camps, all of the boys used communal showers and never thought anything about it.
However, when I was in Scouts, there were two constants – it was all boys and it was Christian based. Today, Scouts have changed and are no longer Christian based, especially since they began abandoning their Christian foundation and values by excepting homosexuals as Scouts and Scout leaders. Had this been the case back when I was a boy, my parents would not have allowed me to join nor would I have wanted to join. Those were important values to them and to me and still are.
The big question now being asked about Scouts is if a transgender girl/boy should be allowed to join the Scouts. That question is being raised by a New Jersey youth who goes by the name of Joe Maldonado.
GET MORE STORIES LIKE THIS
IN YOUR INBOX!
Sign up for our daily email and get the stories everyone is talking about.