Scouting at a Crossroads

When my wife and I moved to Park Hill over a decade ago, we were attracted by the quaint homes, the proximity to City Park with the Zoo and Museum, the neighborhood shops and restaurants, and perhaps most importantly the strong, caring community. We knew that Park Hill would be a wonderful place to raise a family. As our children have grown, we have become involved in different facets of Park Hill. This year, that involvement has included joining Park Hill’s thriving Scouting community as my first grade son became a Cub Scout.
Having a child in Scouting reminds me of my own childhood. I grew up in a Scouting family with my troop being led by my father. Just as my father earned the rank of Eagle Scout, through his leadership I was also able to earn my Eagle. I feel that I can give Scouting a great deal of credit in shaping who I am today: my career as a teacher; my love of travel; my passion for skiing, camping, and hiking 14ers; and my enjoyment of a variety of team sports. My son in turn is now enjoying a wealth of horizon-broadening experiences: hikes at Bluff Lake; a Denver Nuggets game; a TV weather and news station tour; a DU hockey game and talk from the coach; and, of course, a pinewood derby race with his home-made car. Even with these positive aspects of Scouting, the National Scouting Headquarters is in the midst of making a decision which can creating an even stronger organization by opening the ranks of Scouting to people of any sexual orientation.
As the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) reconsiders its membership requirements, it finds itself at a crossroads in American history. Just as the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s propelled much of America towards the ideals of non-discrimination and equal opportunity, the movement for equal rights for our gay and lesbian compatriots today embodies the same ideals. And while gay individuals will benefit when discrimination directed towards them ends, non-gay scouts will also benefit from a more diverse Scouting membership.
As an organization, the BSA has always emphasized preparing young men for leadership roles. While Scouting should continue these praise-worthy efforts, it should also recognize that future leaders will require the ability to understand and effectively manage individuals from very diverse backgrounds. Indeed, tomorrow’s leaders will direct teams that are more diverse than any generation has previously seen. Whether these leadership roles are in the classroom, boardroom, small office, or even the military, the future generation will need the experience and understanding to work well with people of all ethnicities, religions, genders, races, physical conditions, language groups as well as sexual orientations.
In the coming months, the BSA will make an important decision concerning its membership policy. Scouting can continue its exclusion of gay scouts, teaching its members to be suspicious and fearful of alternative lifestyles and thus severely limiting these boys’ future leadership skills. On the other hand, Scouting can welcome all individuals regardless of sexual orientation into its ranks, reflecting our society’s makeup and hence providing our young scouts with an understanding that will be a significant advantage when they enter the workplace.
Indeed, it is extremely important for each current or potential Scouting family to communicate with the BSA that the organization must change its membership policy to allow young men from all backgrounds to become a scout. Scouting must train leaders who are familiar with all forms of diversity so that our young men are able to effectively work with all members of society. Yes, Scouting should decide to prepare today’s youth for the leadership positions of tomorrow rather than the leadership positions of an era gone by.

Dave Pilarowski is an Eagle Scout and a proud father of a Tiger Cub Scout