[america-rules]

I've been involved with the scouts for about 7 years and I know of zero gays in our troop. I'm sure there have been a few boys who were gay but we don't know for sure.

The point is the Boy Scouts aren't a bunch of flaming homos running wild.

We have rules and training for everyone who goes on any outing and I have never had any issues with any gays. The only issues we've ever had is with mothers!

The $24 dues is at the national level and every troop adds their own amount to this so it can be $85 or whatever the troop committee set it at.

Finally, the Troop Committee determines who can be adult leaders and they have the option to block anyone they choose.

[miss marmelstein]

I understand what you are saying. And thanks for the explanation.

[Night Hides Not]

My son is in his 3rd year of scouting, the first two as a Webelo...just made Tenderfoot. Our troop is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at our church.

There's a half-dozen men who serve on the Troop Committee, most of whom were Eagle Scouts. So long as the national level leaves us alone, we'll continue to do our thing.

Our financial support is strong, thanks to being in one of the 10 largest parishes in the country, whose parishioners gladly buy our popcorn, Christmas wreaths, and other fundraisers.

BTW, I just wrote a dues check for $112, which included $12 for the Boys Life subscription. The cost for the monthly campouts is usually $30-$40, money well spent. November's campout was rifle shooting.

I've already started to save for the cost of the week-long summer camp, about $600. Last year, they went to Camp Daniel Boone in NC, this year is Colorado Springs.