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Scouting
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and they come from all over Rappahannock County,” Skip Sr. said.
“I think scouting was more fun when I was involved. We had a lot less rules and a lot more flexibility. But at the same time,” the scoutmaster acknowledged, “there are a lot more merit badges being offered these days.”
Sean Kilpatrick, another scout of yesteryear, echoed Mr. Giles’ sentiments. “It used to be, when scouts were out camping in the summer and they happened on a swimming hole, the whole troop would strip down and jump in. Nowadays if a troop did that, the sheriff and all his deputies would have the place surrounded before anyone could get their hair wet. And the leader would be hauled away in handcuffs and accused of being a pervert!”
According to Skip Sr., many of the new rules have come about because of society’s growing fear of child molestation. “These days, it could happen anywhere, even in a quiet little community like Rappahannock,” he said.
One of the new rules requires that at least two adults be present at any sort of scouting function, whether the function involves one scout or the whole troop. Scoutmaster Giles doesn’t object to the rule: he says he recognizes that it’s designed to protect the kids, which should be a leader’s top priority. But it does make matters difficult for an already undermanned Rappahannock staff.
“Recently we went camping and some of the kids wanted to go on outpost, but some didn’t. This meant two leaders for each group. It’s hard to have four adiilts available for each time we want to do something,” the scoutmaster explained.
Another obstacle Scouts have is finding merit badge instructors. “In the old days anyone who met the qualifications just had to fill out a form and he was an instructor. Now an applicant must complete a multipaged application giving his life history,” said Mr. Kilpatrick.
“After the applcation is completed it must be approved by a local committee and the county’s head of scouting (Rev. Jennings Hobson III). Then it goes to Winchester to be approved, and finally to the national office,” added Skip Sr.
According to Giles, another reason scouts are short-handed is that “people of today don’t want to commit to anything anymore. Don’t get me wrong — there are a few willing to lend a hand. But most of the time tl» scoutmaster does all the work. Peisonally, I don’t like to teach nipnt badges. There are more qualpeople
out there to do it and it’s a conflict of interest. Fortunately, most of the kids get their badges at camp.”
Camps and jamborees are two things about scouting that haven’t changed - much. “Today they are
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