Summary: We take a look at the recent decision by the LDS church to disengage from Scouting in North America, and suggest that community groups prepare to bring on board youth from LDS groups. ----more----Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play | Android | TuneIn Radio | Stitcher | AnchorDownload episode: MP3 Podcast Topics Ken and Colin's Scout Group recently received — and granted — a transfer request. That isn't unusual in and of itself; there have been several youth who've transferred to the 59th Greenfield/Royal Gardens over the years. What made this request stand out, however, was that the youth in question was leaving a Latter-Day Saints (LDS)-affiliated Scout Group, and was looking for a new Scouting home in a community group. This is because the Mormon Church recently announced — in about May of 2018 — that they would be ending their decades-long partnership with Scouting in both Canada and the United States, effective December 2019. The Church does not partner with Scouting outside of North America, and has been putting together a new, global youth program that will serve the needs of Mormon youth the world over. As such, they won't need to use Scouting as their male youth program anymore. Of course, there are hundreds of thousands of youth enrolled in LDS-affiliated Scout Groups in both the US and Canada, and many of these youth will no doubt want to continue on in Scouting. So it would probably be a good idea for Scout Groups to begin preparing now — by assessing whether (and by how much) they can grow their membership, by onboarding new volunteers, etc. — so that they are able to welcome in youth from shuttered LDS groups come late 2019. Shout-Outs We'd like to give a shout-out to Julie, who left a comment on our Facebook post for Episode 63: I wasn't able to listen to the entire podcast but found the first 17 minutes interesting, up to the co-ed discussions. I started in Brownies at age 7 and at senior Pathfinder age (13-15yrs) we met a group of Vents through school who lived in our area and 'buddied' up with them to do various activities/camps. the following year we joined vents (and stayed registered with GGC as well) and had some great adventures, we learned from some great adult role models in both organizations. The year was 1988'ish... 30 years later I am an adult member in both organizations with a teen son and daughter who, up until last year where members in Vents and Pathfinders, respectively. This year they are both signed up for Vents/Medvents and looking forward to new challenges and experiences. I did have a chuckle when it was mentioned about cookie selling, a 5 year old in her brownie uniform.. (just a technicality) but a 5 year old would actually be a spark and super cute. Brownies are the next age up, 7+. Moving forward there is the topic of Gender identity. With Scouting being comfortably co-ed in Canada that may or may not pose some scenarios that need to be considered, no major changes to any policy or guidelines. But Guiding will have other issues to consider moving forward. Interesting times to be living in. As well, Dan wrote in to tell us about some summer adventures that his family have gotten up to, and to talk a bit about Wood Badge II and practicing starting fires. Furthermore, Colin would like to give a shout-out to the various former members of the 59th Greenfield/Royal Gardens Rover Crew that turned out to help him move recently: Ted, Ian, and Jamie. As always, a big thank you to the folks at Scouting Radio for rebroadcasting Scouting Stuff episodes to their worldwide Scouting audience. If you're listening to us on Scouting Radio right now, let us know; reach out and get in touch. We'd love to hear from you. Send Feedback Email Us | Leave Us a Voice Message | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Leave Us a Review Music Slow Burn, by Kevin MacLeod
