Did the Boy Scouts Get It Right?

The group’s National Council on Thursday reportedly gave the go-ahead to allow openly gay boys into its ranks. Tell us what you think of the decision.

A boy’s sexual orientation may soon be moot when he goes to join one national organization. According to reports Thursday evening, the Boy Scouts of America voted to drop sexual orientation as one component of membership into the youth group. While the organization’s decision paved the way for openly gay boys to become Scouts, the group’s leadership stopped short of allowing gay Scout leaders. Want to blog about this topic? Email Community Editor Jon Gargis at jon.gargis@patch.com to find out how you can become a Local Voices blogger on your hometown Patch. Not all Scout troops may be receptive to the change. In previous discussions over the issue, BSA spokesman Deron Smith said that under the then-proposed change, the BSA would not …

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Should the Boy Scouts Change Its Anti-Gay Stance?

The organization is reported to be considering allowing organizations that sponsor the various Scout units to make the call on whether or not to open up their membership to gays.

The Boys Scouts of America is reported to be considering a substantial change to its current position when it comes to gays. According to CBS News, under the change being considered, it would be up to the different religious and civic groups that sponsor the various Scout units to decide for themselves how to address the issue. These organizations could decide whether to maintain the status quo of excluding gays in youth or leadership roles or open up their membership. CBS reports this was announced Monday and comes after the organization has taken hits during recent years through petition campaigns and the resulting suspension of funding from some corporations. BSA spokesman Deron Smith said that under the proposed change, however, the …

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Lassiter Student Named Eagle Scout

Taylor Alfaro will be presented with the special designation on June 10.

Taylor Alfaro of Boy Scout Troop 714 will be presented with the Boy Scouts’ highest rank, Eagle Scout, at a special Court of Honor ceremony on June 10 at Mountain View United Methodist Church in Northeast Cobb. Taylor, the son of Cathy Moland-Alfaro and Edgar Alfaro, began his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in 2001 with Pack 417 at Rocky Mount Elementary School. During that time, he earned several awards and Cub Scouts’ highest award, the Arrow of Light. He crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 714 in 2006. On his road to Eagle Scout, Taylor hiked and/or backpacked 168 miles, camped almost 100 nights and accumulated almost 80 hours of community service. He has served his troop as an Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Historian, Den Leader and …

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Viewfinder: Webelos Woods 2012

Webelos and Bears from Pack 797 participated in Webelos Woods this weekend, held at Bert Adams Scout Reservation’s Camp Jamison.

Webelos and Bears from Pack 797 participated in Webelos Woods this weekend, held at Bert Adams Scout Reservation’s Camp Jamison. The boys practiced doing things for themselves, like setting up camp, cooking, cleaning, etc. rather than having their parents do all the work, an important step toward boy scouting. There were several orienteering activities, as well as a campfire with skits.

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Sprayberry Senior Revitalizes Shiloh Cemetery

Ian Ramey, a Sprayberry High School senior, brought other scouts to the one-acre site for 10 consecutive weekends. More than 400 hours put in by 18 scouts, with 137 of those coming from Ramey, spiffed up the cemetery.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

What's happening December 8, 2010 in Northeast Cobb.

1. The Lassiter High JV and varsity wrestling teams head to Cherokee County to grapple with host Etowah High and Walton High.  The grappling will take place 5:00pm at Etowah High School, 6565 Putnam Ford Dr, Woodstock, GA 30189. 2.  The Cobb Marietta Retired Educators Association is holding a book club every Wednesday through Feb. 2. The featured book for the group is The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  The book club meets 11:00am at the Mountain View Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta, GA 30066.  For more information visit the website: http://cmrea.org/cmrea_001_files/Page349.htm or contact Bonnie Williams at 770-971-6130 or e-mail: bonniebw41@att.net. 3. Families are invited to attend a Christmas open house at the MUST Ministries …

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