Female Camp Staff

[scoutmasterbob]

Let me say up front that I dont want this to sound discriminatory in any way shape or form, however over the past few years I have seen an increase in the number of young women on staff at long term summer camps.
It seems it has become a bit of a distraction for the scouts at the camp, especially when a young lady is assigned as a troop friend for the week that a troop is at camp, and summer camps are hot and some of the attire I have seen I thought was inappropriate for scout camp.
I dont know if i am way off base here, I think there should be some limitation on the interaction that young women staff members have with the Scouts.
Am I alone in this observation?

[outfoxed86]

I dont see any problem with young women on camp staff. Yes they can be a distraction for young men. Most of the women on our camp staff are great. they work very hard .
The Camp Director should be setting a standard class "B" type uniform when Class "A" isnt being worn.
Wayne

[OldGreyBear]

I don't see the issue as much there shouldnt be female camp staff as there should be appropriate attire worn, by all campers, staff or otherwise

And I suppose by tradition I shoudl point out there is no such thing as a Class A or Class B uniform in scouting

[outfoxed86]

I don't see the issue as much there shouldnt be female camp staff as there should be appropriate attire worn, by all campers, staff or otherwise

And I suppose by tradition I shoudl point out there is no such thing as a Class A or Class B uniform in scouting

I know OldGrey Bear thats why I specified Class B Type uniform.
Wayne

[OldGreyBear]

AAARRGHHHH

I apologize, my bad

[jr56]

Since Venturing is co-ed, I'm sure we're going to see more young ladies on camp staff in the future. They are valuable staff members and subject to the same rules and regulations as their male co-workers.

[wagionvigil]

During the 2005 National BSA Jamboree I had the pleasure of having two young ladies on my Rappel Staff at Action Center D. These ladies worked harder than most of the boys and were never a problem with the male staff or the participants. The staff was told up front what I expected of them both at work and at play and the lines were never crossed. There were also female youith staff members in Moto cross and at Sub Camp 4 .
The only problem we had the entire jamboree was finding shower space and times for all the female staff members.

[ASM-142]

The camp that my troop went to for the last two years includes a number of female staff members. They are always dressed appropriately and do a great job.

On the other hand, we had a venturing crew in camp and a couple of the female members decided that skimpy bikini's was appropriate for the waterfront. Once the staff stepped in this issue was resolved.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

The camps we have gone to all had female staff but like everyone else has said - they (and the boys) were only seen in uniforms, both class A and B.

Other than this - no, I certainly don't have a problem with females working as staff members. Even the obsessed teenage boy needs to learn to work with females and sometimes they need the practice of containing themselves. lol

[cballman]

the summer camp our troop attends has female staff members. I see nothing wrong with either male or female as long as the proper attire is worn. whether it be male or female. scout camp is a time and camp that we either send or take a few kids there each year and If a female staff member or even a male staff member was dressed in a manner that is not fitting you can bet you bottom dollar I will be one of the first people to complain. like ASM142 said skimpy bikinis are not acceptable in a camp.

[WVBeaver05]

Well, I was a Scout and camp staff member quite a while ago. That was in the days of Den Mothers (and male Cubmasters). There were no female leaders and certainly no female camp staff. I was in an Explorer Post - and girls were allowed, but we didn't have any.

.... Then, I was out for quite a while and got back in a few years ago. One of the first changes that I noticed was more female participation. As it was a significant change from what I was used to, I observed it carefully to see what I thought about it.

Now, I have taken training with women, taken training from women, seen female Scoutmasters, and seen female summer camp staff members. I have served on committees with female Scouters.

So, what do I think about it? .......
...... Well, other than a slightly different point of view on some things and some complications for bathroom and shower facilities .....
..........Nothing!

I have seen great female leaders. I have seen average female leaders. I have seen some very dedicated, some just passing through. I have seen some with great skills, some with so-so ones. In short, just the same thing that I have seen from male leaders.

Our summer camp has only a few (3 last summer as I recall), but all that I saw were comparable to the boys that were on staff. I did not see any problems or hints of problems in my interactions. (If anyone was on camp staff that was co-ed, they may have a different point of view.)

So, my opinion - no problem. Let's use the best resources that we have available to us.

YiS

[WVBeaver05]

My previous post gave my opinion. Now, equal (well, at least some) time for the opposing point of view.

When I returned from summer camp, I discussed that there were female camp staff members with the (numerous) female members of my family. This includes wife, older daughters (with children), and 14 year old non-Scouting daughter.

Without exception the concept concerned them. I asked, would you let your daughter work there? They said - NO!

I have discussed this with them at some length to try and understand, but I must admit that I do not. All of these female family members have attended co-ed camps (band camps, science camps, etc.) and in some cases been on staff. Some have included overnight stays, some have not. These do not seem to bother them.

There seems to be some comfort in the relative balance of the number of boys and girls as far as I can understand them. Sleeping in tents figures into it some way also.

I admit, I don't get it. But, there is another point of view for your information and comment.

YiS

[Mrw]

I took my troop to summer camp as acting SM several years ago. There were a couple female staff memebers. If I recall correctly, they were college age or better. That might make a difference in how you look at it too.

I might be concerend more about my 16 year old daughter there than my 22 year old daughter. (Of course I only have sons, so this is just conjecture anyhow)

[deweylure]

I was at summer camp and there were several female staff members. To me they did a great job in working with the scouts for meritbadges and
there general interaction with the boys was great.

As I recall one worked with the cope program and the other was a college student majoring in enviromental sciences. she definitely knew her stuff.


dewey

[lifescoutforlife]

Never had a problem at camp, ladies were in class A or class B all the time and stayed in there own ladies area at night. They all worked very well with the scouts.

[Silver Fox]

I have never seen any issues with the dress of female camp counselors. To avoid the class a / b drama..... they were all in venturing uniform shirts or scouting t-shirts with uniform shorts.

There have been several at Napowan for the past couple years. They were well qualified in their areas and did a great job.

I did not see any signs of distraction from the scouts....

[lambeausam]

Canyon Camp had one female staff member - she was the wife of the aquatics director. She taught the Cit merit badges. She was always dressed in camp uniform and during swim time wore a conservative suit.

[Billiken]

I did not notice (or know of) any problems with the female counselors during our week at camp last year.

[ThunderingWind]

In my training as a Crew Advisor, we were instructed that the female BSA swim suit policy is one piece for all females - Crew members and leaders.

My daughter is being recruited to work at our council camp this summer.
I will let her wrok if she is hired.

I worte a letter of recommendation for one of my female crew members so she could be considered for a position at summer camp. She was hired and was asked to come back the next summer.

I have seen high school girls, college girls and adult women all serve in very prominent roles in summer camp.

I have no problem with females summer camp.

[PaulSWolf]

In my training as a Crew Advisor, we were instructed that the female BSA swim suit policy is one piece for all females - Crew members and leaders.

In my over 20 years as a leader, I've never seen such a requirement written down anywhere, or even heard of one like that.

Could it be a local Council camp's policy - Possibly.
Do I think it's a good idea - Maybe. (For leaders, only - not for crew members)
Do I think it's a BSA policy - No.