RichmondLiberty.org

by Robert Russo

There are important social issues which never come up in political debates because no candidate aspires to be a cultural leader. Presidents who become cultural icons like JFK or impact moral issues like Bill Clinton do so unintentionally, waiting for "history to judge them" in its own time. Their effect on our national culture means nothing to them, and so no one takes responsibility for the increasing demoralization and decay in civic involvement and spirit. President Bush attends church every Sunday but leaves the citizen to guide himself in the lifestyle of citizenship with the help of religious and social leaders that have no government responsibility. He considers it forbidden territory, even though his own decisions impact our moral and civic territory.

I have never written in criticism of the world's greatest youth organization, being a scoutmaster and lifetime member of the Heart of Virginia Council (formerly Robert E. Lee Council), but it is a good vantage point to observe the continuing drop in community participation everywhere and lack of moral direction in the lives of young people. The Scout Oath and Law are the basis for good citizenship (perhaps the only written ones left), and outdoorsmanship itself is a guide to freedom and personal responsibility. Our council is a microcosm of the Richmond area. It is made up of individual troops, every one of them unique, run by the individual scouts, and the council bureaucracy is a detached body increasingly mistrusted for having the wrong priorities, making poor decisions and appointing people that do not represent its members. This separation increases every year. Sound familiar? My unit which is the oldest in our county has watched the scouting movement transform from helping old ladies cross the street to what it is today. See if you can spot the parallels in our greater society:

1. The scout handbook was amended to make it more concise, cutting out parts of our written traditions reducing them to oral traditions. Periodical publications are no longer in printed form, so not having information physically in hand lessens discussion and increases confusion. Going online reduces the need to commune with others.

2. Survival skills are watered down for fear of liability. Sheath knives are outlawed, campfires forbidden on most trips, wilderness areas now off-limits for being too wild. The Order of the Arrow has lost its mystery as a secret brotherhood now that induction ceremonies are held indoors and ordeals are called "service weekends". When boys are unimpressed what incentive is there to join? Apparently being able to survive on your own is not needed in today's world.

3. The camp staff has not been replaced by a new generation but retired volunteers, females and other non-scouts hired off the street. It was once a fraternity with advancement earned through the trust of peers as a scout advances in his patrol, but the wheel is no longer turning. There has not been a recruiting drive in years. Why would anyone in authority knowingly give up their control?

4. Programs are catered more toward entertainment than the betterment of young men. Each year more boys are disinterested in summer camp because there is not enough thrill-based activity to compete with civilization. Without the creature comforts they are used to it has no appeal. This immaturity is passed on to the administration who instead of kindling scout-like interests, caters to whatever will get more business. This year the activity schedule has been increased replacing the troop's time in the campsite and daily rest period at the hottest part of the day. A week-long canoeing excursion is also being offered in lieu of camp, so the entire experience of outdoor living, being part of a community and learning a variety of skills has been replaced by a single sport. (Ironically most available spots were filled up immediately, so it is an ambition most boys will not actually get to have like the Nintendo Wii.) Changing the incentives changes society and the individual. It makes them dependent, transforms competition from productive sport to a mob.

5. The most valuable and knowledgeable people with 30+ years under their belt wouldn't be caught dead at "official" BSA gatherings. The monthly scoutmasters' roundtable in our district is like a ghost town. Representatives do not come to the troops, they demand we come to them, and so the decisions are made without our consent.

Because of this dilution newer boys require extra effort and attention, but there are fewer people to give it. Everywhere you look, at public events, libertarian gatherings and charitable causes there seem to be fewer contributors. And people have legitimate reasons, but they tell me they have never been busier in their lives. Why is this? As the Richmond area grows it increases the number of bodies in schools, churches, on the road and all public places increasing the workload of the same small number of servicemen. Non-English speakers often have large families to bring to parks and the classroom but may not know how to volunteer (which is not to say they can't, but even English-speakers don't settle here to contribute to the community, they come for their own purposes). People just assume community service is being done. Their busy lives are directed toward one area of interest just as young boys.

There is no disloyalty in saying this because the BSA is a volunteer organization and many members are outspoken critics. Troops are independently chartered and would continue to function even if there was no council. Unfortunately there is no effective forum to voice these opinions. The process of young people deprived of character-building interests becoming deprived adults who give nothing back to the community can be clearly observed.

Question of the Week: Whichever community group, events or service you lend a helping hand, does it seem to you that there is less public drive to participate than there used to be? Even emergency services? Who on the outside is responsible for encouraging community service in general? Send your thoughts to henrico@richmondliberty.org.

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