Gambling

[t305spl]

What is the BSA's ruling on gambling? Can the scouts gamble?

[ASM-142]

NO

[t305spl]

Thats what I thaught and I enforce it.

[West]

Nope, we played a lot of cards- but never gambeling (except with sunflour seeds one time. However even that probably isn't good, because it's the principle that counts not what's being gambled.)

[t305spl]

Is this written anywhere? The scouts want to see it written even though I tell them they cant do it.

[OldGreyBear]

Just what is meant by Gambling ? Do you mean Texas Hold'em Poker or eating another parols cooking ? Do you mean playing Bingo or selecting a campsite without looking up to check for dead mans?

[t305spl]

I mean poker. Not using the poker chips but camp things like matches and sticks, the scouts argument is they have no value and I say they do. One stick is one stick. If you win 4 sticks when playing you still won something. Even though as West said it is the principle that counts.

Is this in writing anywhere?

[ASM-142]

It does not matter what is being bet is is still gambling which is not allowed

[t305spl]

I understand that but I need it in writting to really convince them does anyone know where to find this?

[wagionvigil]

OK a scout is Trustworthy Correct? Make it like this It is not allowed and if you want to try to prove me wrong please do. But as of now it is not allowed until you can prove otherwise. Here is Nationals Number. Go Ahead Make the Call"

[ASM-142]

The only specific references to gambling that I found on scouting.org is forms for jamborees and fundraising which exclude all forms of gambling.

[OldGreyBear]

As Wagionvigil said a scout is trustworthy, you tell them no and they have to prove you wrong. Next, I would also point out a scout is Obedient and you have said no gambling based on your understanding of the scout law, case over, move on.

[wagionvigil]

Every Application for The Jamboree,IOnternational Scouting and Unit Fund Raising Prohibit Gambling in any form. That should be enough.

[t305spl]

Thats sounds great. Ill use the Trustworthy and Obedient points of the Scout Law and National Number thats a great one. Thanks All

[West]

I mean poker. Not using the poker chips but camp things like matches and sticks, the scouts argument is they have no value and I say they do. One stick is one stick. If you win 4 sticks when playing you still won something. Even though as West said it is the principle that counts.

Is this in writing anywhere?

We used to play poker, but without betting anything, if you won the hand you won the hand. Really it was just a fill in for when we didn't have time for euchre or hearts. Rainy days and winter time when it gets dark before 5:00 cards are a nice thing to have.

[OldGreyBear]

So is having an eight foot length of rope so you can practice or teach knots, the 6 required of course and then move on to the alpine buterfly, figure eight follow through, the french bowline, diamond hitch, monkey fist, etc. You dont need cards to fill on scouting time.

[West]

Well, I don't know how long it's been since you've been a kid; but all work and all learning all the time isn't what they want. 17 year olds who are sticking around just to do some camping and have some fun don't appriciate leaders always throwing stuff to do in front of them, expecally when they are already very capiable in the areas they want to be. (I know, I used to hate it). At our normal (non-high adventure) campouts, my Patrol (all 16 and up) would spent most of our time helping younger scouts, the rest of the time we'd play frisbee. After dark or in terriable weather we'd sit around and talk and play some cards. Someone walking up and trying to get us to practice knots we already know would have gotten laughed at. It comes down to this, kids get enough structure and learning all week at school, and at meetings. Sometimes when they are camping they need a little time to just kick back and have some fun and recharge at bit. Our whole society and more and more scouts pushes kids a lot. We need to remember that they are just kids.

[t305spl]

I think what West means is that there are many other things that are fun and scouting productive where cards may be fun but in no way productive.

[West]

And that not productive is ok once in a while.

[t305spl]

Not if you can do FUN productive things. You can always find something to do that the scouts will like and is productive. But I do agree a little, I like that hour before I go to bed to do what I want and just relax.