Honey Creek Community School Pack 33, Ann Arbor, MI Tells the BSA It's Leaving to Join the Campfire Boys and Girls

Mr. Roy L. Williams, Chief Scout Executive
National Headquarters Boy Scouts of America
PO Box 152079
Irving, Texas 75015-2079

Mr. Williams:

Please find enclosed the Honey Creek Community School Pack 33 flag. The Camp Fire Boys and Girls flag has now been attached to our flag standard. We have changed organizations rather than being effectively dechartered for refusing to abide by National's policy of banning avowed homosexuals from membership in the BSA. As the result of this policy, I have a sincere
concern about the future of Boy Scouting.

Boy Scouts of America has chosen to conservatively interpret the values embodied by the Scout Oath and Law while public and private organizations across the country have adopted non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation. Previously, units and chartered organizations have had the responsibility to select and approve leaders that they deem role models consistent with the Scout Oath and Law. This system allows for the leaders to reflect a variety of values and expectations and allows for diversity and respect for differing opinions within the organization. Now, BSA has effectively told a large segment of our population that you must compromise your values in order to be a member of our organization. Rather than make that compromise our Pack found an alternative organization.

My personal experience:
I have two sons ages 7 and 10. Over the last 8 years we have been part of a community drawn together by our involvement in a parent run child care that also evolved into a charter school. This community, although small, includes families of at least 5 different faiths, families comprised of single parents, two parents, two mom's, two sets of parents etc. Families that have been formed through marriage, partners, divorce, and adoption have all found support in this community and participated in Pack 33.

According to BSA's policy these current role models for my children are not considered suitable:
* The founder of our day care and Executive Director of our school, who has been instrumental my children's development. An individual who has played a significant role in my children's daily life for over 8 years.
* My son's best friend's mom who has risked her personal safety to call attention to the inequity of prison conditions and programs for women.
* Our former city councilman and now our State Representative.
* A fellow architect who revitalized the Jaycees in Ann Arbor and firmly established the 4th of July parade that we enjoy every year.
* A family friend who has worked diligently with our county sheriff's department to protect victims of domestic violence and establish programs enabling them to break the cycle of violence within their family.

Each one of these individuals are exemplary role models for my children and in my opinion embody the Scout Oath and Law in their lives. They and many others are banned from membership in the BSA solely on the basis of their sexual orientation. This is a tragedy for the organization.

In my opinion, your conservative interpretation of the Scout Oath and Law will relegate the currently diverse BSA to an organization that no longer represents the diversity that has been the hallmark of the Unites States. I see the BSA losing its long-standing tradition of being a universally respected youth organization with units across the country.

I urge that the National BSA change its policy of discrimination so that other diverse communities can continue as members of the Boy Scouts of America.

With sincere concern,


Jan K. Culbertson
Former Pack 33 Cub Scout Leader
Ann Arbor, MI