Target: Mike Rogers, Chair of U.S. House Committee on Armed Services
Goal: Protect Scouting America from intimidation and pressure offensive of Pentagon leaders.
An organization that has spent over a century teaching children leadership, ethics, and responsibility is in the crosshairs of the federal government merely because it opened its doors to more children. The Department of Defense has threatened to cut funding and support for Scouting America – a separate entity from Girl Scouts of the USA — unless it bans girls from participating in scouting activities. The Secretary of Defense also seems to believe that allowing more diversity and inclusion for children overall is somehow bad or “too woke” and therefore must be punished.
Many girls prefer the learning experiences offered by Scouting America because they have a bigger emphasis on learning outdoors skills and participating in activities like hiking and camping. With the Girl Scouts, in comparison, such activities are often optional and at the discretion of specific troops. Historically, merit badges earned through Scouting America – arguably unfairly — have often carried greater weight in career development. In the military world, for example, obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout could significantly aid a recruit’s advancement prospects.
The Pentagon has traditionally provided support to Scouting America. Events are held on military bases. And federal aid is integral to large gatherings like the annual National Jamboree, which hosts over ten thousand scouts. Now, all of this support stands in peril because of a secretary – who has also taken direct aim at women serving in the military — that cannot handle the fact that Scouting America “let girls in.”
Sign the petition below to demand Congress uphold its oath to keep the Department of Defense in check and to protect the interests of children who could become future leaders.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Representative Rogers,
“Scouting does not belong to the U.S. government. Local troops are run by volunteers….We scrape together money so kids can camp, hike, swim, have adventures, learn leadership, and contribute to their communities. The federal government is now trying to bully Scouting America into excluding kids. Giving in would be a betrayal of everything Scouting claims to teach.”
These impassioned words came from a scoutmaster and the mother of a girl who has taken the Scout oath to keep physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight…and “to help other people at all times.” Now, this organization and its members – under attack from an administration that, ironically enough, considers being “awake” a dirty word – urgently need your help. U.S. Code Title 10 Section 2554 requires the Pentagon to secure a Congressional waiver if it intends to cut support and funding for Scouting America.
Enforce this mandate and stand up for the youth that will one day stand up for and lead the United States.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Deflagro
