What to do with a Scout that doesn't like to camp?

[Eagle77]

I don't know if this has been discussed elsewhere, but what do you do with a Scout that doesn't like to camp?
He has been with us for 2 years. We camp 9 times per year plus summer camp. He has gone with us 2 times the first year and to part of the summer camp (he made a deal with his parents that he could come home early if he went) and 2 times the second year. It's not a scheduling conflict, he just doesn't like to be outdoors camping. He is not going with us to summer camp this year. Some of the times he has gone with us, he has left early to go home.
I don't feel like he is participating and showing Scout spirit if he isn't going on camping trips. He does come to most meetings and he participates in some of the other events.
The rest of the troop participates in at least 75% of the camping trips each year.
I am interested in hearing others thoughts and/or experiences with this subject.
Thanks.

[ASM-142]

Each scout gets different things out of scouting. Even though the majority of scouters think that camping is essential to the program a scout can be successful and enjoy scouting without camping. Camping is beneficial to advancement but not all scouts care about advancement and are in scouts to have fun.

[pipestone1991]

Camping is an integral part of the BSA Program. You need to be active to make Eagle and camping is a part of that.

[Mrw]

Encourage him to camp enough to earn the camping related advancements and then let him be.

If he is learning and enjoying the rest of the program, and he sticks with it, more power to him.

[joat]

I don't feel like he is participating and showing Scout spirit if he isn't going on camping trips. He does come to most meetings and he participates in some of the other events.

Maybe this doesn't relate to camping, but I'd like to know what is meant by "showing Scout spirt". How does one show Scout spirit, and if the boy camps infrequently how does that negate his Scout spirit? Or does Scout spirit mainly mean camping a lot?

[Eagle77]

On the times when he did go camping, he would either show up on Saturday morning, thus missing setup on Friday night. Or he would leave Saturday evening, thus missing cleanup on Sunday morning. On at least one occasion, it has been both, he has only come for the fun stuff during the day and not the work. On a couple of campouts, his mother had to come with him and if he was separated from her, he was grumpy and miserable. He shows up late to meetings consistently. His father is active in the troop and is always on time. During meetings, or other functions, he tends to be disruptive. This is what is meant by "not showing Scout spirit". I agree that there are other ways to participate, but isn't Scouting based on nature and camping? Isn't that why the majority of the requirements for rank advancement are outdoors based? I think that is why Camping MB is a required MB, not an optional or an elective.
In case anyone is wondering age, he is 13, and very mature for his age. He is on a school sports team and is a leader on that team.

[milominderbinder2]

...Maybe this doesn't relate to camping, but I'd like to know what is meant by "showing Scout spirt". How does one show Scout spirit, and if the boy camps infrequently how does that negate his Scout spirit? Or does Scout spirit mainly mean camping a lot?

The Scout Spirit requirements are always clear to state that it is in your everyday life, not your Scouting life.

Scout Spirit requirements have nothing to do with troop activities or meetings.

- Craig

[evmori]

Is he having a good time with the Troop? If so, then no biggie!

milominderbinder2,
I love your handle! Catch-22 I presume?

[OldGreyBear]

this is how the Scouting Handbook defines Scouting/Scout Spirit in the various ranks:

Tenderfoot, Scout Spirit Defined p 47
Scout Spirit refers to the effort you make to live up to the ideals of Scouting. The Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan serve as everyday guidelines for a good life.

Tenderfoot, Requirement #13 p60
discuss scout spirit with your scoutmaster and with older boy scouts in your troop. Ask them for examples of how you can demonstrate Scout Spirit . You will likely hear examples of the Scout Oath and Law as ways to show your Scout spirit

Second Class Requirement #9 p108
Most requirements for Scout ranks can be measured by other people. When you set out to swim 50 feet for the Second Class swimming requirement, anyone can see that you have covered the distance. How well you live the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your life, though is something for you to judge. You know when you are being kind, when you are helpful and a good friend. You know when you are trustworthy. and reverent. You alone know how you act when no one is around to witness what you do. Do the best you can to live each day by the Scout Oath and Law. You might look back on some of the decisions you've made and wish you had acted differently, but you can learn from those moments and promise yourself you will do better in the future. And don’t be surprised that when you use the scout oath and law for guidance, others will recognize those values in you and respect you for it. Set high standards for yourself and strive to reach them. No one can ask anymore of you

First class Requirement #10 p164
At troop and patrol gatherings you've recited the Scout Oath and the Scout Law dozens of times. The words come easily to you, but do you know what those words mean? The Scout Oath and Scout Law are not just for reciting at meetings. They are not just to be obeyed while you are wearing a uniform. The spirit of Scouting that they represent is every bit as important when you are at home, at school and in your community. The Scout Oath begins with the words, "On my honor. . ." Your honor is your word. By giving your word, you are promising to be of good character and to keep your reputation untarnished. Be trustworthy in all you say and do. Extend friendship to others. Be thrifty with your time and resources. Be tolerant of others, regardless of their differences, and celebrate the great diversity that enriches our nation and the world. Express reverence in accordance with your beliefs. Offer a helping hand because you want to, not because you expect a reward. The standards set by the Scout Oath and Scout Law are very high Strive to reach them every day, and you will find that they become as natural for you to live by as they are for you to say.

Star/Life/Eagle p170
BY NOW, DOING GOOD TURNS should be a regular part of your life You are always on the lookout for ways to help others.

By now, Be Prepared should describe your efforts to make the most of educational opportunities, get along with others, and take part in outdoor adventures. By now, the Scout Oath and the twelve points of the Scout law should be the guidelines by which you direct your actions in your family, community, church, school, and nation. Living by these high standards is always a personal choice and something only you can fully measure. But by now, many other people should be seeing qualities in you that make it clear you are choosing

"Your standing as a Scout does not depend so much on the skills of your hands or the badges an your merit badge sash, as an the spirit in your heart on what you are willing to do for others, on whether you are doing your very best to live the Scout Oath and Law:'

So, how many times a scout Camps has no reflection on scout spirit, it will however have an efect on his advancement and if advancement has no allure to him, then just let him be who he is.

He has been in the troop for 2 years, so he is 13-14, perhaps in 2 years he may see an opportunit to go to a High Adventure camp and must be first class, then he will advance. In the mean time let him be the scout he wants to be. He may not advance, but if he is having fun, why not?

Becomming Eagle is not the goal of the Boy Scout program

[deweylure]

The problem maybe the parents not the scout. Dad may say yes and mom no. To keep the family peace mom wins. That is one scenario.

The second being the boy did camp at one time and then stopped. I have a similar situation My son AND another scout camped all the time and then campouts were cancelled or the troop never showed up after we had already arrived. Two scouts at a camporee. The boys became disgusted and went home.

The other is these scouts do show up to service projects 100% of the time and the rest of the troop does not. I think that is being active.
How old is the scout?

I would investigate a little further with dad .

Deweylure

[deweylure]

I reread your post about the age. He is mature for his age .He probably is academically gifted . He might just be bored or there could be an underlying emotional problem.


Deweylure

[Mrw]

You commented that the dad was always on time for meetings and the son was always late....

Are these divorced parents and was it nasty? There may well be some sort of mom says/dad says thing going on here that has nothing to do with scouts at all.

[smtroop168]

How is this different from a Scout who ALL he wants to do is camp? I have one who doesn't like to swim or do any MB work but he's there for meetings and other troop events like service projects and has helped on at least two Eagle projects.

Each boy is different and that's why scouting is great for all youth. Building Character and Ethical Choices is key.

Maybe as he gets older and decides he would like to be an Eagle the camping will become important. Scouting is a 7 year journey and he's only in year 2.

[WVBeaver05]

IMO - just not camping, but otherwise participating is a non-issue. Let him get what benefit he can. It will impact his advancement, but that is his decision.

Missing the "work" of the camping trips is a bit more of an issue from the perspective of the message it sends. I would work on that (to some extent) by helping the PL with creatively adjusting the Duty Roster to make sure he does some work.

Disruptive at events is a whole different thing and deserves to be addressed (just as you would address disruptive behaviour of any other Scout).

YiS

[WeeWillie]

We are a values driven organization, not a recreation activity. From the AIMS AND METHODS OF SCOUTING.

Boy Scouting works towards three aims. One is growth in moral strength and character. We may define this as what the boy is himself; his personal qualities, his values, his outlook.

A second is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the boy's relationship to others. He comes to learn obligations to other people, to the society he lives in, and to the government that presides over that society.

A third aim of Boy Scouting is development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems), and the emotions (self-control, courage, and self-respect).

The methods are designed to accomplish these aims. Thus it is important that you know and use the methods of Boy Scouting. OTHER METHODS ARE GOOD, BUT THEY MAY BRING DIFFERENT RESULTS -- RESULTS QUITE DIFFERENT THAN WE ARE SEEKING.

Outdoors is one of the 8 Methods of Scouting.

Outdoors.

Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoors that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with each other. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose.

Being close to nature helps Scouts gain an appreciation for God's handiwork and mankind's place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

The Advancement, Patrol and Leadership Methods also apply. When a Scout doesn't particiapte in camping he is missing out in half of our methods.

Scouting is as much a part of his everyday life as church, family, school, community... Yes, we can assess a Scout's Spirit, adherence to the Scout Oath and Law, based on his participation in troop events. It is utter nonsence that we count everyting but Scouting when addressing Scout Spirit.

Loyalty is the second point of the Scout Law. Here is an exerpt from p48 A Scout is loyal. "The sucess of your Scout troop and patrol also depends on your loyalty and that of other scouts as you support your leaders and pitch in to do your share of the work."

Have an SMC with the Scout and both parents. Go over the Aims and Methods of Scouting and reinforce the need to fully participate in the troop.

[Chief J]

Encourage him to camp and let him and his parents know what he will miss by not being there. That is about all you can do. If he chooses not to participate, then he chooses not to participate. Forcing the issue will probably make him quit scouting all together.

Chief J

[kwildman]

Mike,

Well said. I am going to use this as part of new scout/new parent orientation.

[cballman]

encourage the child to camp. explain to him and the parents about the patrol method and how it works. explain to him and the parents how the patrol method works on campouts and that everyone should pull his own weight. then explain that either the child go with the troop the whole campout or not at all. if a child is not going to pull his weight on a campout and just come in late or leave early the he does not belong on that campout. just my take on this problem.

[joat]

explain to him and the parents about the patrol method and how it works. explain to him and the parents how the patrol method works on campouts and that everyone should pull his own weight.

I'd like to see that conversation take place between the boy and his PL and SPL.

[cballman]

but if everyone reads it seems that he has made deals with his parents. If his father is active and goes camping the the talk needs to be with mom. it dosent say if parents are divorced but sounds like little johnny is a mommas boy and she dont want to cut the apron strings. this is an adult leader thing where the kids do not need to be involved because it could be bad for the PL and SPL. with this I would recommend that a parent accompany him on any campout that he goes on. NO PARENT NO LITTLE JOHNNY. PERIOD..