In defense of Scouting

By HAYNES WINKLER
Student contributor

The Boys Scouts of America often carries a certain, not wholly deserved stigma of being too conservative or too closely associated with the Christian faith.  These objections are, it must be said, based in reality, but the scope of opportunities provided by this organization extends far beyond conservative limits.

Recently, controversy has arisen over Troop 5, the Boy Scout troop sponsored and housed by Polytechnic School.  The controversy, which arises from a policy of the BSA that refuses homsexuals from entering the organization, has led some to question the appropriateness of Troop 5’s continued sponsorship.  Since Poly has a just policy of accepting all students and faculty regardless of sexual orientation or any other background, some members of the Poly community found that the Boy Scout troop contrasted with these values and wanted it to be removed.  The decision to remove the troop from Poly sponsorship, which would have been a great shame for all eligible Poly scouts, was thankfully averted.
This could have been an unfortunate decision because a Polytechnic Scout troop allows immediate access for male Poly students to the benefits of scout camping trips and the knowledge and prestige that can be garnered from going through all the ranks of scouting.  As a Boy Scout myself in Troop 509, which is associated with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada, I can attest to the beneficial experience derived from scouting and to the fact that Boy Scout troops are not synonymous with intolerance. While it is not always a totally exhilarating experience, the positive aspects are undeniable.  Throughout my entire experience with Troop 509, I have not been overwhelmed by conservative religious ideals; instead, the troop has focused on the outdoor and knowledge-based experiences of the organization.  My troop would go to Catalina Island, Havasupai Falls, or Philmont Scout Reservation to camp, hike and canoe, and not even once have I experienced an oppressive or bigoted atmosphere. In my experience, this sort  of atmosphere appears to be prevalent in all troops. In Scouting, more attention is paid to knowledge of first aid and outdoor enjoyment than Old Testament commandsments.
Short of one week of “outdoor education” trips at the beginning of the year, interested Poly students have no close and organized access to wilderness activities or education in a variety of fields- including politics, history and leadership skills -except through Scouting. For this reason alone, Troop 5 plays an important role in giving hiking and camping opportunities to sometimes sheltered students or other applicants. For its entire history, Troop 5, noted as one of the oldest in the nation, has acted in accordance with the ideals of the Poly community and its open and tolerant environment.  There is no foreseeable reason for this cooperation to cease, and therefore no reason for Poly’s sponsorship to cease.  Boy Scout troops across the country provide a fun and inviting community to learn and enjoy the marvels of the natural world, and though the national organization maintains an unfortunate stance, individual troops deserve commendation for what they do to enhance the lives of the male youth of America.