The Sconi

Wisconsin Scouts are encountering increasing difficulties as school doors are shutting on their traditional outreach efforts. Lucia Cronin, who has been involved with Scouting for 29 years, reminisced about a time when a simple call to the school principal would secure a few minutes to speak to students. She recalled, "The principal would welcome us with open arms." However, Scout leaders now lament a shift in attitude from schools, with hundreds of them refusing even brief presentations.

Joe Carlson, leading the Boy Scouts council in La Crosse, highlighted the issue, stating, “There’s been a fairly significant reduction in the ability to contact families through the schools.” Deb Schemenauer, heading a Girl Scouts council in Sheboygan, estimated that a third of schools now decline such engagements.

Efforts were made at the legislative level in Wisconsin to address this issue. However, Governor Tony Evers recently vetoed a bill that would have required public schools to allow representatives from various youth groups, including the Scouts, to speak to students once a year. The veto, which cited concerns about equal access and local decision-making, left many Scout leaders perplexed.

Despite the setbacks, Scout leaders like Cronin and Schemenauer remain hopeful for a change in policy. Schemenauer emphasized the importance of in-person interactions for organizations like the Girl Scouts, noting, “It makes it really difficult to open the door to Girl Scouts.” She also stressed the value of engaging children in activities that promote community involvement and social interaction.

As the debate continues, concerns persist about the impact of digital devices on children and the need for activities like Scouting to offer an alternative. Cronin urged adults to support these century-old institutions that have a proven track record of helping children develop into well-rounded individuals.

In the face of these challenges, Scout leaders are advocating for a reevaluation of current policies to ensure that valuable opportunities for youth engagement are not lost.