Parents in Scouter A.M.-O.’s troop want their sons to have use of cell phones during Scout activities. She asked for ideas that will prevent misuse of these devices but make parents feel secure.
Our troop has a strict “no electronics” rule for camp-outs, which includes cell phones, Game Boys, and iPods. To comfort parents, we provide a list of cell phone numbers for all adults going on the outing and allow boys to use our phones to call home or take calls from worried parents at any time.
Troop Committee Member J. O’K.
Dunedin, Fla.
First, tell the parents they are invited to attend all meetings and camp-outs. Second, tell them no cell phones.
Assistant Scoutmaster E.S.
Cave Creek, Ariz.
Preplan a block of time to allow Scouts to communicate with their parents to reassure both Scouts and parents that everything is fine. Make this scheduled time known to all parties so everyone can be available.
Troop Committee Member T.K.
Acworth, Ga.
Cell phones are very disruptive and encourage Scouts to isolate themselves from activities. We have a policy that Scouts cannot bring electronic gadgets on camping trips. If they do, I will keep them for the duration of the camping trip and give them back to the parents. If a Scout takes out a cell phone during a regular meeting, I collect it until the end of the meeting. If a parent needs to talk to their son during a meeting or camping trip, they can contact me, and I will relay the message to their son.
Scoutmaster D.W.
Lithonia, Ga.
If you question parents enough, you will find that they don’t really care if their sons have a cell phone. It’s the boys who want to call or text their friends. If the parents say they want the security, give them your number, which removes that objection.
Assistant Scoutmaster B.M.
Naperville, Ill.
We do allow Scouts to carry their cell phones on camp-outs and to meetings, but they are to be turned off and only used for emergency purposes. I stress that cell phone use while riding to and from camp is often a distraction to the driver. Fortunately, our Scouts are responsible enough to know where and when cell phones should be used.
Scouter K.W.
Green Bay, Wis.
There is no reason a Scout needs a telephone while in a meeting or other Scouting activity. If a Scout is allowed to use a cell phone without leader control, there is a good possibility that the phone will be used to call or take calls from friends, to play video games, or to listen to music. All these activities make it difficult for the Scout to completely participate in the current activity or to learn the skill being taught.
Assistant Scoutmaster M.F.
St. Paul, Minn.
Cell phones aren’t just phones anymore; they’re music players, gaming devices, instant messengers, cameras, and video players. We found that cell phones were becoming a significant distraction and have prohibited them at Scout functions.
Scoutmaster M.J.
Westford, Mass.
Web Exclusive ResponsesThe following responses do not appear in the print edition … It is inappropriate for boys to have cell phones during meetings and camp-outs; they need to be focused on what we are teaching them, not on who is texting or calling. We do not allow the boys to have phones at our meetings. There is a phone at our meeting place, and the leaders have cell phones in case of an emergency. Den Leader J.W. Remind parents that security is built into all parts of the Scouting program. Parents should know where the meetings are held, when to pick up their sons, and that there is plenty of adult supervision. Cell phones are not necessary during a meeting. Troop Committee Chairman P.S. Your patrol leaders council could create a code of conduct that they agree to follow. Clarify other issues such as foul language and bullying, and then be sure to include a section about electronic devices and cell phones. Assistant Scoutmaster P.N. A lively, active, engaging program at meetings, observing the rules of safe Scouting (especially the buddy system) on outings, and a clear understanding on the proper use of cell phones will greatly reduce the likelihood of cell phone abuse. Scoutmaster C.G. Our troop has a “no electronics for Scouts” policy. In addition to the distraction issue, we justify it by the fact that anything a boy brings camping may very well not survive the outing. Most parents are thrilled that their boys will be electronics-free for a weekend. Scoutmaster S.S. All cell phone ringers are turned off during our troop meetings, and phones must stay in a pocket. We allow the boys to bring phones on outings, but they must stay in a vehicle. If a parent requires a call to check in, set up a predetermined time for the boy to call home. This way, the parent stays connected without it becoming a disruption. Troop Committee Chair L.R. There is a strict “no electronics” policy in my troop. We let parents know that all the leaders have cell phones, and that if anything happens to their Scout, we’ll call immediately. We tell the parents, “If you don’t hear from your Scout, he’s having a great time!” Assistant Scoutmaster L.B. |
I came across this article while reviewing my own policy for such things. After reading all the responses above, I am even more convinced than ever that we have a good policy. That is, Scouts are not barred from having phones at events. I realize that complicated schedules and various home situations may require more communication with a Scout immediately before or after an event. However, the phone must remain powered down during the event until the Scout speaks with his SPL and SM about the need to use it. Although some parents may want to continue daily contact with their Scouts, complete with duress codes, a large number of Scouts simply cannot afford such a luxury and the disparity can cause significant friction. Further, when Scouts seek out parents to resolve conflict remotely or handle an emergency rather than their fellow Scouts or adult leaders on site, then again, there is going to be unnecessary friction and confusion ( and a potentially dangerous delay in getting actual help if needed.)
Most of the stories I have about cell phone misuse are pretty humorous, like the time I awoke at 3am with the blinding screen of an iPhone thrust in my face only to hear a distraught mother saying “Hello? hello?” into the night air. It took a few minutes to unwind the issue: junior had a bellyache and his tent mate called mom to let her know and then remembered our policy and came to my tent with her already on the line. No big deal although I was seeing spots for a while. Another called home to let mom know wild animals had the camp surrounded and I received a text regarding our security status. Thankfully she did not call in the National Guard.
All humor aside, my gut says if parent and child need daily contact without exception, then neither is ready to be a part of the program I am offering. We camp monthly, often for multiple nights and the boys without cell phones are usually the most care free of the lot.
I believe that it is ok for scouts to carry a cell phone during scouting activities. When they are in their tents or in a place where it seems ok and they are not causing others to be distracted it is ok. My son once had to wait 1 hour in line to go to a campsite, and in situations like that I believe it is ok!
I have read Grahams story above and find from personal experience that scout leaders seem to be more focused on obeying rules and creating rules than fostering responsibility. I do agree the phones can be a bit of a distraction. I would ask though, what is the object of scouting? Is it to instill and teach responsibility in these young men or to learn to obey rules? If its the latter then, how is responsibility taught? Do we teach responsibility by removing the device from reach or do we teach it by trusting the scout will do the right thing and keep it turned off and use it correctly. Why not let the scouts in the troop decide and police each other with oversight from the adults? Isn’t that how true leadership is developed? We seem to be very quick to anger in this society when rules are broken. Rather than teach actionable consequences, we lash out and punish. I completely agree with Dolores Rand above that these cell phones are tools and should be treated as such, like any other tool in a preparedness pack.
Has scouting strayed away from its original intent to teach leadership and responsibility? Its worth observing that the adult improprieties we’ve read about in the past within the scouting organization have caused many more rules be created than any wrongness by any scout. But yet we choose to lash out at the boys and in the end what does that foster?
I wrote about this exact situation, how it was so poorly handled by adult leaders of the Troop, and how it affect our family. Just do a search for ‘naples troop 2001′ or ‘Scouts Phones Summer Camp Trust’
I think it’s interesting that we’re on one hand teaching, survival skills, and character building skills, yet we allowing them to apply and develop this trait on camping trips regarding phones.. ..nor do we obviously trust boy scouts to develop them in this setting. Cell phones at camp should be viewed as part of emergency preparedness and taught to be used as a tool. Camp leaders are in fact modeling this since they have one. I do agree there should be strict guidelines, such as, phones turned off during camp, and adequate education on respectful behavior at camp.
Our troop varies electronics rules between leaders, however my personal opinion is that cell phones should be allowed as long as they are not becoming a distraction. Scouts should pay attention to there leaders and surroundings, and should refrain from use of their cell phones, and if they do not do this the device should be taken. I use my phone to take notes and mark events on my calendar all the time at meetings.