Marine8541

I have been a long time lurker and I was moved to respond to this thread. I'm relatively new to the Church and I'm First Counselor in YMs. From what I've seen in my few years with the Church scouting is having an adverse effect on out YM programs. Too many scout leaders are putting way too much pressure on our youth to participate in their program and that is driving kids away from the Church. I have kids who are involved in football, basketball, jujitsu, debate, swim, science club, and thespians just to name a few of their activities. These are great kids who are doing all we ask in the Strength for Youth and are progressing in their callings, assignments, duties, and are completing their Duty to God yet there are those traditionalist who are always chiding them for not coming to scouts. that attitude is driving our Youth away from the Church and we have to tread very lightly and remember that scouting IS NOT a commandment. Scouting needs to be less intertwined with the Church when it comes to kids who just don't want to do it. Scouts is a great program but there are a lot of great programs out there and our leadership has to stop putting pressure on those don't like scouts because in the end we're hurting everyone when that happens.