Scouting, Volume 79, Number 2, March-April 1991 Page: 8
50, E1-E12, [36] p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Letters
If you have a question
or comment about
what you read in
Scouting magazine,
or about something
related to Scouting
in general, we'd like
to hear from you.
Write to us at:
Scouting magazine,
1325 W. Walnut Hill Ln.
P.O. Box 152079,
Irving, Tex.
75015-2079.
(Because of space
limitations, we
reserve the right to
edit letters for length
and clarity.)
ow important is the uniform?
Most of your articles seem to show units func-
tioning in ideal conditions. Why not show
units the way it really is? Class A uniforms are
the exception, not the rule. In our troop, a shirt
and neckerchief are what we're happy to have.
Many boys wear hand-me-down and flea-
market equipment, not the top notch BSA gear
your articles show. But while we don't "look"
quite as good as some, our Scouts and Scouters
still have good, quality programs to boast about.
Glenn Dzaack
Scoutmaster, Troop 210
Monroeville, Pa.
It is true that many fine troops, due to economic
or other reasons, are not able to wear complete
uniforms. However, the uniform is a great unify-
ing force, and experience shows that the better
troops are usually, though not always, uni-
formed. We try to show Scouts in the magazine
uniformed as correctly as possible. Otherwise,
some readers might get the impression the uni-
form isn't an important factor in providing a
quality program.
Webelos Den Leader Award
I was a Webelos den leader for five years and
earned the old Den Leader Training Award (gold
knot on blue background). May I now exchange it
for the new Webelos Den Leader Award (gold
knot on gold background)? The requirements are
the same as those for the award I've already
earned.
Harold Hiddleson
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 83
Downingtown, Pa.
You should continue to wear the square knot for
ihe Den Leader Training Award. The knot for the
new Webelos Den Leader Award is worn only by
those who have earned that award. The require-
ments are not the same.
God and the Scout Oath
I am sure many Scouters were dismayed when the
Oct. 9 CNN news program invited viewers to
phone in their opinion of whether or not "God"
should be dropped from the Scout Oath.
A caller, who identified himself as an Eagle
Scout, gave the impression that the oath refers
only to the Christian God. Apparently he has
never seen pages 624-626 of The Boy Scout
Handbook, which describes religious emblems
for Scouts who are Islamic, Zoroastrian, Jewish,
Buddhist, and Baha'i.
In fact, Scouting's religious policy could hardly
be more tolerant. But every policy has its limits.
Scouting's purpose is to teach values in a world
where youth are increasingly being raised with-
out them. For the vast majority of people, values
are far more easily taught and held in a religious
context.
As head of a chartered organization, I feel very
strongly that Scouting's Declaration of Religious
Principle is fundamental to the program. And the
public seems to agree. Some 88 percent of the
callers who responded to the CNN survey said
"God" should remain in the Scout Oath.
Rev. Michael B. Johnson, Interim pastor
Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption
Seattle, Wash.
'A Scout is... rich and famous7?
In the introduction to the article about Steven
Spielberg in the October issue, I find it objection-
able to see terms added to the Scout Law, like
"powerful," "famous," "rich"—even when done
in jest.
... Must Scouting's foundation of service and
preparedness be sacrificed to this self-centered
and materialistic hype as well? I hope I speak for
many Scouters in voicing disapproval of this glo-
rification of values contradictory to those of our
organization.
Jay M. Gregg
Stevens Point, Wis.
The Spielberg story was reprinted with permis-
sion from USA Today. Our agreement required
reproducing the text and title exactly as they
appeared in the paper. We felt the message con-
tained in the story overshadowed by far any
implications of materialism the title may con-
tain.
Summertime Pack Award pins
I can't find anything in the Insignia Guide about
either the number of Summertime Pack Award
pins or service stars that may be worn. Do you
know?
Tom Jaggard
Cubmaster, Pack 52
Corpus Christi, Tex.
A boy may wear as many National Summertime
Pack Award pins as he has earned. The same is
true for plain service stars. Or he can combine
years and wear just one numbered star. For
example, after his third year, a Cub Scout can
wear a star with a "3" in the center or three
plain stars (all with gold backing).
A pen pal in the desert
When our den sent letters to our troops in Saudi
Arabia we received only one response—but what
a response it was! By luck one letter reached a
former Scouter named Bryan. In the past three
months his letters have entertained the boys with
wonderful tales of Scouting.
For Christmas each boy contributed to a "care
package" for Bryan: peanut butter, gum, candy,
magazines, etc. (Even a boy who couldn't afford
to buy something donated his Halloween candy).
It was a Good Turn they won't soon forget.
Kym Denes
Pack 3247
Oxnard, Calif
March-April 1991 Scouting
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 79, Number 2, March-April 1991, periodical, March 1991; Irving, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth353654/m1/8/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.