Gambling

[wagionvigil]

Our outdoor version came from I believe Cabelas about 12 years ago. SO check Cabelas,Bass Pro etc.

[Lynda J]

i agree. but what is wrong with betting small petty change on card games as long as it doesnt become addictive?

Pure and simply. No gray area. Black and white. In all states gambling under the age of 21 is illegal. So which other laws do you want to encourage your boys to break?
As adults we are there to set good examples for the boys. Teaching them to break laws isn't setting a good examply.
And in my opinion any leader that encourages or knowingly allow a boy to break the law has no business being a leader.

OK. Off my soap box

[riverwalk]

It's kinda sorta like the tobacco issue. If you allow certain types, over other types, it is still outside the bounds of what's acceptable.

[Russ]

I'm new to the forum, and this thread's over a month old, so maybe it should die. But, for whatever it's worth, here are my thoughts on the subject.

Yes, gambling is illegal for youth, in and out of Scouting, and a Scout is obedient. That's reason enough to prohibit it.

Moreover, a Scout is thrifty...he earns his own way, i.e., doesn't expect to get something for nothing, which is exactly what the gambler expects to do. Again, reason enough to prohibit it.

Maybe penny-ante poker doesn't add up to much money, but it's the principle, not the amount, that matters.

Maybe Micah can gamble at cards without becoming addicted to it. If so, he should have no problem never doing it again. But then again, if he or anyone like him can't play without gambling, perhaps he's more addicted than he thinks.

But even if he's not, what about the other players who may be predisposed to become addicted? All addictions start somewhere: that first cigarette, that first alcoholic drink, that first pill. Do you want to be the person that makes it possible for your friend to become addicted to tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or gambling? A true friend--and a true Scout--would not take that chance, no matter how remote the possibility might seem.

Character is doing the right thing even when no one is looking--or when it involves such a little thing that it doesn't seem to matter. Do the right thing and forego gambling.

[t305spl]

Great way to put it. No opinions just facts relating to scouting and life.

[Rick Tyler]

Character is doing the right thing even when no one is looking--or when it involves such a little thing that it doesn't seem to matter. Do the right thing and forego gambling.

I just wanted to thank Russ for his post, and to congratulate him on his most excellent unit number.

[EagleBoy62204]

Well im a new-age assistant scoutmaster. I just turned an adult this year and came off of spl.

We started picking up texas holdem and make quite use of it. However, the boys arent allowed to break the stuff out until everything is done. Which means: Skills, prep for meals - both preparing and cleaning, and any other tasks that need to be finished such as latrine cleaning.. or whatever the spl and scoutmaster feels needs to be done.
on top of this we make sure that everyone has their bunks clean or tents cleaned and look nice before they play.

All this may seem redundant (sp?) but it works. The boys work together... which is suprising.. and get things done.

We usually dont let games go more than 2 hours at the max.
And if there is any sort of arguing the games are immediatly taken away.

Gambling may be wrong.. but its alot better than having the kids seperate off into their own little groups to play D&D, MaGIc cards.. or whatever else.

You cant keep their attention with doing skills and playing sports all the time. First hand experience, they wont keep with the program if there isnt anything new... which is sad and disappointing.



If you need advice still to keep them from doing it... tell em its illegal to do it till your 18.

[hacimsaalk]

Well im a new-age assistant scoutmaster. I just turned an adult this year and came off of spl.

We started picking up texas holdem and make quite use of it. However, the boys arent allowed to break the stuff out until everything is done. Which means: Skills, prep for meals - both preparing and cleaning, and any other tasks that need to be finished such as latrine cleaning.. or whatever the spl and scoutmaster feels needs to be done.
on top of this we make sure that everyone has their bunks clean or tents cleaned and look nice before they play.

All this may seem redundant (sp?) but it works. The boys work together... which is suprising.. and get things done.

We usually dont let games go more than 2 hours at the max.
And if there is any sort of arguing the games are immediatly taken away.

Gambling may be wrong.. but its alot better than having the kids seperate off into their own little groups to play D&D, MaGIc cards.. or whatever else.

You cant keep their attention with doing skills and playing sports all the time. First hand experience, they wont keep with the program if there isnt anything new... which is sad and disappointing.



If you need advice still to keep them from doing it... tell em its illegal to do it till your 18.

same way we do it in our troop. everything is done before cards come out.

we have more problems with the digi=mon games than with gambling games.

i dont see anything wrong with gambling. most kids get it in AND OUT of scouts, so what does it matter.

who is really gonna say anything about a bunch of scouts gambling, even if it is illegal, most people have better things to waste their time on.

[wagionvigil]

An SPL is to lead my example. An SPL is to support all BSA policies even if they do not agree with them.

[ASM-142]

Gambling is not allowed in Scouts - period. This has been said many times in this forum. Just beacuse it is done oustide of Scouts does not mean it is OK in Scouts. It it were, you would have adults drinking and smoking at Scouting events - and if they were in Nevada there are other things that adults can legally buy that should not be brought into Scouts.

[Lynda J]

This subject has been beat to death.
Gambling in all States in against the law for anyone under the age of 21. And is illegal in most states. The Texas Holdem is getting ready to get hit by the Attorney Generals office.

EagleBoy what other laws do you encourage your boys to break?

As a leader in your troop you are to set an examply. Scouts do not break laws. And good leaders so not encourage them to do so by act and example.

I would also like to know why in heck you are allowing computer games at meeting and outings in the first place. There are so many things to be learned and done in scouting.

Once a year we have a computer game campout but it has to be earned by advancement and skills and behavior.

Any other time the only thing allowed on camping trips that requires a battery is a flashlight.

Be a responsible adult leader and set the examply that you do not break laws just for the fun of it.