Youth Scouting, for Voluntarists

[Magnus]

I'd like to propose an idea to the FDR community.  It's something that I've been thinking about for a while, and would greatly appreciate the input of the resident brain trust. 

 

I have a son, age 11.  He loves camping.  He loves hanging out with other boys who are roughly his age.  We have been on a couple of camping trips that are sponsored by the Cub Scouts.  We just returned from one this weekend, and it was (in some ways) a lot of fun.  I'm exhausted, but feel great.

 

Now, there's a lot that I like about Scouting, and a lot that I despise.  The question that's been preoccupying me for a few weeks and months is this -- What would it take to start a group that retains all of the good features of Scouting, and eliminates the intolerable aspects? 

 

I don't think we'll be going out with them again, but my son and I do want something to replace it.  I have found nothing.  Whenever I look for something but can't find anything remotely acceptable, I figure there are other people who may want the same thing I do -- i.e., it might be a market opportunity. 

 

I also noticed that the parents on this trip fell into two categories -- a small minority of heavily-Statist and Theistic True Beleivers, who were really gung-ho about all of the quasi-church-ified and paramilitary aspects of the trip, and the majority, who were clearly uncomfortable when the events turned from camp-outs and wilderness explorer skills and games to flag-saluting and "non-denominational" pseudo-church (with a slight tinge of New Age quasi-Native-American flavor glossed over the top). 

 

Also, I have believed for a long time that we ought put our minds to the task of forming a youth organization, providing educational resources and activities for philosophical parents, and the general promotion of rationality, voluntarism and non-aggression for young people.  

 

(I also believe we should publish a set of home-school-style educational materials, but that's another topic.) 

 

First, the good stuff I've noticed about Scouting. 

• Outdoor skills, nature, environmental awareness, physical exercise.  This part of scouting is wholesome in the extreme.  It's like a living Norman Rockwell painting.  Best of all, it's unplugged. Getting kids away from the video games does wonders for their minds and bodies. 
• Accomplishing difficult age-appropriate tasks, with heavy emphasis on safety. 
• Fun, interesting activities, with a strong focus on competence and skill-building.
• A decentralized organizational structure based around local communities of volunteers, and is thus connected to other similarly-minded people and organizations.
• Direct parent participation (unlike team sports, for example, where you are expected to hand your kid off to a coach and otherwise keep out of it)

 

The Bad Stuff:

• The para-military indoctrination, reflected in the uniforms, rankings, titles, etc. It's just awful.
• The endless "civics" crap, which is just warmed-over jingoistic bullshit;
• The nascent, soft-pedaled theism (which is actually far worse, and more insidious, than outright orthodox Christianity).

 

To give you an idea of what's out there, here's a brief overview of the main non-school community activities available for boys.  It's not very good. 

 

1. Boy Scouts of America -- The main one.  Founded by a British Army general in the early 1900s (Baden-Powell), who served in Africa and India.  He was essentially on the front lines of British colonialism, and it was his job to quell the natives (by massacring them occasionally).  He had written a couple of books about military tactic, in particular on reconnaissance missions (Incidentally, "scout" is a military term, although now a bit archaic, and refers to a unit that travels light, moves fast, and is not designed for large-scale combat.)  His books unexpectedly became popular with teachers and teenagers, who were often recruited for scouting and recon missions.  He later decided to write additional books explicitly for youth readership.  Essentially, scouting was founded as an expressly para-military organization.  Hitler Youth for Anglos. 
 
The organization has, in some respects, moved out of its militaristic origins, and now focuses on outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and (to a limited extent) sports.  The familiar Scout uniform was modeled on the British and American army uniforms of the early 1900s.
 
The BSA is one of the few Title 36 federally-chartered corporations, and is officially designated as a "patriotic" organization.  It claims to focus on "character development and values-based leadership training" through the following --  

• "responsible fun and adventure"
• Instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law
• Train young people in citizenship, service, and leadership
• Serve America's communities and families with its quality, values-based program

It has recently branched out into a few new areas that appeal to teen boys, such as safe driving and SAT prep educational programs, and even offers some vocational training (e.g., welding). 
 
The Cub Scouts is the feeder organization to the BSA, and is for younger boys, ages 7-11. The Cub Scout Oath is:

 

I, (say your name), promise
to DO MY BEST
To do my DUTY to GOD
And my Country
To HELP other people, and
To OBEY the LAW of the Pack
 
Essentially, the philosophical premise of the Boy Scouts represents just about everything that's wrong with the world.  The ony way it could be worse is if they could find a way to make boys into junior minions of the Federal Reserve. 

 

Unfortunately, there are no good alternatives out there.  Most of the other youth organizations are either strictly academic resume-padding outfits (Junior Classical League, chess leagues, Science Fair, etc.), or just the youth-recruiting wings of churches. 

 

Here is a sampling of the mind-warping garbage that is out there, preying on kids: 
 
2. Trail Life USA -- A BSA splinter group for whom the regular Boy Scouts are not conservative enough. 
 
3. Earth Scouts - Objective No. 3: "Social & Economic Justice."  Say no more.
 
4. Navigators USA - "As a Navigator I promise to do my best to create a world free of prejudice and ignorance. To treat people of every race, creed, lifestyle and ability with dignity and respect."  Essentially a Baby Boomer/Millennial organization that thinks that racism is the root of all evil. 
 
5. Spiral Scouts - Wiccans.  No, seriously.  Literally pagan, self-described Wiccans. 
 
6. Woodcraft Rangers - outright Socialist, essentially Hitler Youth for Commies. 

 

 

I'm thinking about starting a youth group for rationalists -- philosophers, voluntarists, anarcho-capitalists, libertarians, whatever you'd like to call us. 

 

The idea is simple --

• organized group activities for kids aged 7 to 17 (split into any categories as may be appropriate),
• a focus on outdoors (camping trips, hikes, excursions, adventure of all kinds),
• educational activities and resources,
• practical skills,
• social-skill building (negotiation, cooperation, non-aggression). 
• zero theism, zero statism

 

The only reason I don't mention girls is that I don't have any, and don't know anything about raising one. 

 

Is this something that parents would be interested in?  Any and all ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Mister Mister]

  That's very interesting.  Some practical questions that come to mind:  What kind of resources would you need and how would you pay for it - donations, registration fees, dues, etc.?  How would you pitch this group to kids and their parents - what do you have to offer that is different, why is it better, as well as practically what will be your media of advertising and promotion?  What kind of laws/regulations might you have to overcome?

[engardeknave]

I, (say your name), promise

to DO MY BEST

To do my DUTY to GOD

And my Country

To HELP other people, and

To OBEY the LAW of the Pack

 

This is horrifying. I had no idea.

 

I think interest would vary greatly depending on your area. But you don't really need a lot of interest to start as what would essentially be a camping trip with a some other parents.