Cub Cast February 2013
Scout Sunday / Scout Sabbath and Religious Emblems
Happy birthday, BSA! Our birthday is Feb. 8, but did you know there’s a whole week to celebrate Scouting? It starts on Scout Sunday, Feb. 3 and ends on Scout Sabbath, Feb. 9. Download this episode and you’ll hear some great ideas on ways to celebrate. We’ll also be talking about changes to the religious emblems program and the connection between a Scouts faith and the values of Scouting. Joining us this month is Mark Hazelwood, who teaches a course on religious emblems at Philmont Training Center in Cimarron, New Mexico, and has been the CEO of P.R.A.Y. for 26 years. He currently serves on the Program Impact Department's Religious Emblems Task Force.
BSA’s Statement on Membership Policy
Update January 31, 2013: Due to the high volume of calls and e-mails to the Boy Scouts of America National Office, individuals who wish to submit feedback regarding the ongoing membership policy discussion are encouraged to do so by visiting www.scouting.org/ContactUs
From BSA:
Boy Scouts of America
Monday, Jan. 28, 2013
Attributable to: Deron Smith, Director of Public Relations
“For more than 100 years, Scouting’s focus has been on working together to deliver the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Scouting has always been in an ongoing dialogue with the Scouting family to determine what is in the best interest of the organization and the young people we serve.
“Currently, the BSA is discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation. This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, and the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with each organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs. BSA members and parents would be able to choose a local unit that best meets the needs of their families.
“The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic, or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue. The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs.”
