n
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Scouting no more
khaki or old ladies
Constantly on the lookout to help little old ladies across '
the street and dressed in a wide brim hat and khaki pants, he is
always prepared. He is, of course, a Boy Scout of yesteryear.
Scout leaders nationwide have initiated tremendous changes
in the scouting movement. The aforementioned traditional
image no longer holds true. Character building, citizenship and
fitness are still keynotes to scouting, but new target areas are
being tapped to make a scouting experience available to all
youth, according to local Outreach director, Steve Clayton.
Nationally, the Boy Scouts of America have embarked
upon af "Boy-power 76' "objective which is dedicated to
involve a' representative one-third of the total available boys.
In the past, scouting has not made a concerted effort to
reach the low income and disadvantaged because it was not the
path of least resistance. Scouting is changing its image from a
"white, middle-class, Protestant" organization, because it feels
compelled to remain relevant with contemporary needs,
Clayton said.
Two years ago, the Lincoln Cornhusker Council launched
its Outreach program complete with professional staff
specifically assigned to the project. The areas of the greatest
need were ascertained and a plan for recruiting the necessary
finances and manpower was begun.
In December, 1969, there were two scout units in Hie area
of concern, and in January, 1972, there were 23 units with
744 boys participating.
"Several accomplishments were realized that were not
typical of conventional Scouting," Clayton said. "The income
barrier was broken when church women were recruited to
mend, dean and size "experienced uniforms" for distribution
to- boys lacking financial means. The same applied to
literature, scouting equipment and registration fees.
"Forty boys who otherwise would not have been able,
enjoyed the benefits of a week at summer camp through local
efforts to secure necessary . handicapped boys to . whom
scouting opportunities were previously denied."
Waft Schnell, district commissioner, attributes this success
to two main items. First of all, he said, many parents are
personally contacted and informed how they can help their
boy in scouting. Secondly, Schnell pointed to a concentrated
effort being made to assure that every volunteer is well versed
in his duties and responsibilities to promote maximum
efficiency.
The objectives for December, 1972, are to add at least five
new units and between 200 and 300 additional boys. To
accomplish this, new resources will be used that have been
virtually untouched locally.
"The White House Conference on Aging revealed there are
too many persons in either forced or voluntary' retirement,
whose talents are wasting," he said. "Many elderly want to
become more involved with youth, and scouting can provide
an excellent medium for exchange between generations."
Efforts are currently being made to recruit the elderly in
Lincoln for leadership, advisory or supervisory positions.
Ethnic minorities are also included in the scope of the
expanding program, according to Clayton. Particular efforts
are being made to relate scouting to various cultural
backgrounds.
This allows the youth to' practice their heritage and
develop a further sense of personal pride, in addition to
benefiting from other aspects of scouting."
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Photos by Gail Folda
PAGE 6
THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25,