“”We either are going to figure out how to make Scouting the most exciting, dynamic organization for Hispanic kids or we’re going to be out of business,” said Rick Cronk, former national president of the Boy Scouts and chairman of the World Scout Committee.”
Why will the Scouts go out of business just because one specific demographic group that has never really been interested in scouting chooses not to participate?
You don’t know what your talking about- go crawl back under the rock you came.
I dunno about that. My troop was probably about 40% hispanic.
This was in New Mexico and in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
The out of wedlock birthrates for Hispanics is 50%, topped only by the black rate of 68%. By 2050 one in three residents of this country will be Hispanic. And by 2023, half of the children 18 and under will be minorities.
Our troop is organized according to Lord Baden Powell’s principles of youth leadership and multiple patrols. Each boy of 1st Class rank and above has a leadership role in the troop. The older ones take on more responsibility, with the highest rank being Senior Patrol Leader. Younger Scouts take on simpler “jobs”. Each boy has the opportunity to grow in leadership skills over a period of years, and much of the work of organizing camping trips, first aid meets, summer camp, etc. is largely delegated to the Scouts. The adults on the troop committee take care of financial aspects, permitting, transportation and overall organization. It works well for us, and we have a vibrant troop of ~70-80 youngsters.
This organization of the troop fits very well with what he is describing as a family-oriented structure. Our older Scouts teach the younger ones and guide them in their development, much as older brothers or cousins. We have found it very important to get adults involved in the troop. Not only do they help with the larger organizational issues and teach merit badge classes, but they also help create a community. Scouts have a large number of adult mentors they can turn to for guidance in their lives, and many fathers (and some mothers) are involved in the troop. Again, this contributes to a family orientation.
I see a very good fit between many of the goals and structures of the BSA organization with what is described here for the Hispanic community. The notion that kids won’t leave their electronics to go camping or hiking is another matter. My experience with it is that they usually like getting outdoors and away from the usual constraints of homework, chores, (showers!) and parental nagging. The troop needs to have plenty of activities, and sufficient variety. Our high adventure trips to Philmont Scout Ranch, SeaBase, and whitewater canoeing are always well attended and typically have a waiting list. Scouting isn’t dead, but it does require strong leadership and many helping hands to make it work. I’d love to see a stronger recruitment effort among Hispanics. I think there is a lot of potential and it’s a great way to reinforce traditional American values and personal responsibility.
Like the previous poster said, if they haven't taken an interest in scouting by now, they won't, period.
My poor dying dumbed down country...
You are ignorant.
Do the Jehovah Witnesses allow their children to join scouting?
I say NO to pandering to Browns, Blacks, Yellows, Reds, or Whites...It’s the Boy Scouts of America, NOT the Boy Scouts of Mexico...
The Boy Scouts are made for Americans...ALL Americans...Take it for what it is, or leave it alone...