Reply #4: Good on 'em...

[Mithras61]

Any one receiving public funds or assistance of any sort should be held to the same standards. If you want to be a "private" club, even one that theoretically provides public benefit (and with Boy Scouts of America, that point is hotly debated), you should have to pay your own way. Scout troops, teams, crews, etc. that enjoy benefits of using public facilities or funding from public sources should adhere to the appropriate laws governing public entities. I even have reservations about the use of public facilities like schools (if we let BSA use it for free, where do we draw the line on what clubs or organizations are acceptable?).

I believe that the Boy Scouts teaches lots of good and useful skills to boys, ranging from soft skills like self-confidence & leadership abilities to hard skills such as tying a sheep shank (I know... what good is a sheep shank except for proving you're a boy scout... I saw "Follow Me, Boys" too) and building & maintaining a field camp. I disagree vehemently with their policies on gays & religious afiliation requirements, though.