Scouting Magazine’s Front Line Stuff asks how to balance sports and Scouting :
So many of our Scouts are involved in sports that there are always
conflicts between troop meetings and outings and team practices and
games. How do other troops handle this issue?
T.L.
Kansas City, Mo.
Instead of responding to these situations with a policy we have a philosophy: the Troop meets all year long and missing a few meetings or outings is not held against anyone.
Should another activity create a conflict with meetings or outings we expect our Scouts to balance the two with the help of their parents and coaches. Scouts who hold leadership positions are expected to see that their obligations are met in their absence.
We also encourage them to be mindful that participating in team or group may fulfill a rank or merit badge requirement.
After all we certainly don’t want to hold our Scouts back from being actively involved in their school and community. Teams and groups outside of Scouting are not competitors but an important part of developing young lives.