[Don Plumley]

I'm an Eagle Scout too, in Scouting for 10 years, Order of the Arrow, Explorers, senior patrol leader, etc. My parents were involved. My son was also in scouting, we went backpacking together, great memories. But it is highly troop specific, and even when boy-led, needs lots of active parent involvement to be successful.

Cub scouts is a great starter and is more mom involved. Stakes are low, and it is a good alternative for kids not completely in to sports.

I think that's a big difference today: the prevelance, intensity and variety of sports as competition to Scouting. Unfortunately (and I don't mean to parf this up), I disagree with the position the national leadership has taken with gays, so it would be hard for this proud eagle scout to be involved today.