Boy Scouts, Tornados, Recriminations, Grief

By now we've all seen the reports of the deaths at the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in western Iowa. Four young men at a leadership training session, doing what they enjoyed, killed in a tornado. Simply tragic.

I've read a few other accounts and the associated blog entries, on various news outlets about the event. Now, we all know that news site blogs are the hang out of some unsavory types of folks along with the standard run of the mill Internet addicts. But, the recriminations have already started. People blaming the leaders for not cancelling the event, blaming Scouting in general for putting boys into the woods, blaming the Iowa State Patrol for not responding appropriately, blaming everything and everybody. I certainly don't withhold from the families the right to greive and seek a reason for the tragedy. I do withhold that right from idiots around the country who weren't there and don't know.

So, let's get down to it. Should the leaders have cancelled the event because of all the inclement weather in the midwest so far this summer? Maybe. We have had a streak of bad weather, but we get them every year. We could live in our cellars from May to September just to be safe too. It could be these boys would have died in their homes in the same storms. Risk management decisions always look easier after the risk has passed.

Should the Boy Scouts (and every other organization that operates youth camps) require storm shelters? Maybe. Thousands of Scouts and Scouters go to thousands of camp outs every year without incident. Does this incident require the additional construction projects? Risk management decisions always look easier after the risk has passed.

Should the Boy Scouts (and every other organization that operates youth camps) get out of the woods completely. Maybe. We could probably teach boys to be honorable men without the outdoor program. But at the same time we'd be teaching them to be afraid. Today's kids are already afraid of their shadows. Afraid of failure, afraid to try anything new (other than a video game). Afraid. Is that what we want for our kids? Risk management decisions always look easier after the risk has passed.

The reality is now is not the time to ask these questions. Now is the time to pray for God's healing grace for the victims, families of the victims, survivors, families of the survivors and everybody involved in the Scouting movement. There will be plenty of time later for the left-wing loonies and helicopter goverment to second guess the Boy Scouts.

Be strong brothers.