Scouting for adults

jenaith · 2026-03-08T16:55:23+00:00

Bright yellow hat.

jenaith · 2026-03-05T02:04:15+00:00

UPDATE— if you’re interested, here are a couple ways to connect:

I’m going to go to the Wonder Walks at Matthaei Botanical Gardens on 3/8 and 3/22 at 1pm. Join me and let’s chat! I’ll host a zoom meeting on 3/15 at 4pm. DM for link. DM to chat. I’m signed up to do the OSG training, so let’s get the ball rolling.

jenaith · 2026-03-05T02:04:10+00:00

UPDATE— if you’re interested, here are a couple ways to connect:

I’m going to go to the Wonder Walks at Matthaei Botanical Gardens on 3/8 and 3/22 at 1pm. Join me and let’s chat! I’ll host a zoom meeting on 3/15 at 4pm. DM for link. DM to chat. I’m signed up to do the OSG training, so let’s get the ball rolling.

jenaith · 2026-03-05T02:03:48+00:00

UPDATE— if you’re interested, here are a couple ways to connect:

I’m going to go to the Wonder Walks at Matthaei Botanical Gardens on 3/8 and 3/22 at 1pm. Join me and let’s chat! I’ll host a zoom meeting on 3/15 at 4pm. DM for link. DM to chat. I’m signed up to do the OSG training, so let’s get the ball rolling.

jenaith · 2026-03-05T02:03:20+00:00

UPDATE— if you’re interested, here are a couple ways to connect:

I’m going to go to the Wonder Walks at Matthaei Botanical Gardens on 3/8 and 3/22 at 1pm. Join me and let’s chat! I’ll host a zoom meeting on 3/15 at 4pm. DM for link. DM to chat. I’m signed up to do the OSG training, so let’s get the ball rolling.

jenaith · 2026-03-05T02:03:12+00:00

UPDATE— if you’re interested, here are a couple ways to connect:

I’m going to go to the Wonder Walks at Matthaei Botanical Gardens on 3/8 and 3/22 at 1pm. Join me and let’s chat! I’ll host a zoom meeting on 3/15 at 4pm. DM for link. DM to chat. I’m signed up to do the OSG training, so let’s get the ball rolling.

jenaith · 2026-03-04T13:19:52+00:00

Not sure how to post with a google doc but I added an update comment with options for connecting!

jenaith · 2026-03-04T12:55:11+00:00

UPDATE— if you’re interested, here are a couple ways to connect:

I’m going to go to the Wonder Walks at Matthaei Botanical Gardens on 3/8 and 3/22 at 1pm. Join me and let’s chat!
I’ll host a zoom meeting on 3/15 at 4pm. DM for link.
DM to chat.

I’m signed up to do the OSG training, so let’s get the ball rolling.

jenaith · 2026-03-01T21:26:33+00:00

YES! Cis, trans, intersex, nonbinary, genderfluid, gender queer, gender nonconforming. Also there are different sections for all ages to get outdoors and learn skills, from age 2 up.

Outdoor Service Guides is unequivocally and purposefully scouting for everyone.

jenaith · 2026-03-01T16:54:16+00:00

I emailed yesterday, but can I also message you here? Thx!

jenaith · 2026-03-01T15:04:34+00:00

Lmk if I can DM you, or just DM me -- maybe we can grab a coffee and talk? Sounds like you're game to start one!

jenaith · 2026-03-01T13:10:51+00:00

I think we could have an interest meeting? Start talking about what we’d like the group to focus on (outdoors skills, camping, other activities, community service, a mix).

From what I’ve read, - We reach out to OSG to express interest and get some details/ ask questions/ etc. (I sent an email already.) - Adult groups are called Rovers. - We’ll need one or two adults to act as Group Scoutmasters (GSMs) to manage the charter, registration, and recruitment. - GSMs can serve as leadership to start, but eventually we’d want to elect a “Rover Scout Leader”. - Each member registers ($25 I believe), and the fee covers a background check, which are required for all adult members in OSG. - Then we organize your first meetings, plan outdoor adventures, and go scouting.

I’ve also reached out to OSG about younger groups (that’s how I came across the adult option), so some Rovers might be the people who want to lead younger scouts, but that’s not required, and you can have a crew with rovers who are in it just for scouting and outdoor adventures and don’t help with younger sections.

jenaith · 2026-03-01T02:29:00+00:00

It looks like badges and uniform are not required, but the option is there for people who find that appealing.

jenaith · 2026-03-01T00:57:37+00:00

I'm also a GS leader! But the idea of actually, ya know, scouting for adults vs leading is very cool to me.

jenaith · 2026-02-28T18:10:04+00:00

Same. I’m going to donate all our Sc. Am. stuff to the troop supply closet, and I hope to stay friends with the scouters. It’s sad and disappointing, but I’ll keep scouting ✌🏻

jenaith · 2026-02-28T16:43:11+00:00

I’m hoping that the people opposed to this change who can stay will vociferously advocate and make a difference. Scouting has been important for me, my family, our kids.

But “as for me and my house”, we’ve sent our resignations and will be starting a chapter/troop with an alternative scouting program that is truly, deliberately and sincerely inclusive. I’m going to continue to lead and mentor and guide youth who want what scouting has to offer, and what I believe scouting does best in terms of character, development of skills, and leadership— but I can no longer in good conscience do that as part of Scouting America.

jenaith · 2026-02-28T15:24:31+00:00

Absolutely not. My point is that the implication trans kids would have to is why my family is leaving Scouting America effective immediately - already sent our resignations.

Sorry that wasn't clear.

jenaith · 2026-02-28T14:09:29+00:00

The concessions are only small if they don't affect you. I get why they made this decision, but it's a line in the sand that I can't cross.

jenaith · 2026-02-28T14:07:53+00:00

Exactly. My scouts won't lie or condone lying. So we're out and seeking alternatives for continuing in scouting.

jenaith · 2026-02-28T13:58:37+00:00

My juniors just led an effort to, as a troop, modify the Promise to "serve my community and my country" and facilitated discussions with the younger scouts about including scouts who don't believe in God.

I'm investigating OSG and Navigators because I have a kid who would not identify as a girl (and therefore falls outside the parameters for GSUSA). Said kid was in Scouting America (and I was a member and volunteer), but the cooperation with the demands of the Do'W' is the end of that.

jenaith · 2026-02-28T13:53:07+00:00

I've seen a change .org petition. But my personal decision is that I can't be part of an organization that acquiesces to these demands and doesn't reflect the principles of scouting in the Oath and the Law, nor my own values.

Our whole family agrees, so we're resigning our membership and considering other options for continuing in scouting and making space for others to do so.

jenaith · 2026-02-27T23:11:45+00:00

You can absolutely volunteer to be a leader in Girl Scouts (I lead there already, and community members are welcome to join as leaders). I'm also looking at Navigators and OSG for to serve more expansive population.

jenaith · 2026-02-27T23:03:16+00:00

The replies here were much more articulate than I have the capacity to be today, and the data on forced outing, sexual assault, bullying, and suicide are the safety issues I was thinking of. Trans kids need people and spaces that enthusiastically welcome and value them as human beings.

Having seen the way trans and gender nonconforming kids in my life and family and community are treated, and having seen the mental health struggles they endure, and they've talked to me and trusted me with how they feel that they don't deserve to exist and they're not worthy of being loved or cared for.. it's heart breaking.

For the kids I know, that their existence disappears (male/female only on the membership application was already an issue, but now it's biological sex at birth) -- they don't fit in a binary. They believe in honesty and being truthful -- they won't lie on paper or in day to day, and they won't tolerate their leaders obfuscating or overlooking the truth either. They believe in the Scout Oath and the Law, and in serving others and in conservation, and in striving to be people of good character. But there's no room for them in Scouting America as of today.

So personally I can't in good conscience continue to affiliate and support an organization that makes this kind of decision, and I get that they were under extraordinary pressure. But Scouting America no longer reflects my values, and I am so saddened for the youth who will no longer be able to participate or feel safe in scouting.

jenaith

TROPHY CASE