Volusia, Flagler Boy Scouts leaders say bankruptcy won't affect troops here

An Ormond Beach Boy Scouts leader rejected the notion that the pending bankruptcy of the national organization would place their ongoing activities at risk.

"We have nothing to do with the national organization, other than following their policies," said Robert "Jason" Stanier, the Scoutmaster for Troop 404. "Our camps are safe. Everything we do is on a local level."

But with hundreds of sexual abuse allegations coming to the forefront, Stanier noted that the public perception of the Boy Scouts has changed, making it harder to recruit children to the local chapter.

"People used to hear someone was an Eagle Scout and think something of that young man," he said. "Now, people question, 'did your Scoutmaster do something to you?'"

Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection early Tuesday amid declining membership and a drumbeat of child sexual abuse allegations that have illuminated the depth of the problem within the organization and the failure of Scouts' national leadership to get a handle on it.

After months of speculation and mounting civil litigation, the Chapter 11 filing by the scouting organization's national body was unprecedented in both scope and complexity.

"They're going into bankruptcy not because they don't have the money," said Tim Kosnoff, who has tried thousands of child abuse cases, including many against the Boy Scouts and Catholic Church. "They're going into bankruptcy to hide ... a Mount Everest in dirty secrets."

In Ormond Beach's Troop 404, there are 12 boys between the ages of 11 and 14.

Stanier said he was saddened to learn of the many cases that went unreported, noting that there are protocols Scoutmasters must follow, should a child bring an allegation forward.

"We have an obligation to protect kids," he said. "It's really a shame when others don't put the youth first."

He pointed out that all allegations must be accepted as fact and reported to authorities. Further steps should also be taken to notify a Scout executive of the known or suspected abuse.

Stanier stressed that children should feel safe disclosing details of abuse to their Scoutmasters.

"You always want them to feel that they can come to you with any issue," he said.

Jason Wheeler, the Scoutmaster of Troop 281 in Palm Coast, leads 25 boys between the ages of 11 and 17.

Wheeler said both of his sons benefited from participating in their local chapter, noting that the two developed confidence and leadership skills throughout their years of scouting. His 18-year-old graduated from the troop after attaining the rank of Eagle Scout – the highest scouting distinction. His 14-year-old remains an active member of the troop and has earned the rank of First Class Scout.

"My kids have been able to take on challenges that they didn't think they could handle before," he said. "If I didn't think it was a safe environment for them, I wouldn't be associated with it."

He said the national organization must be held accountable, and that its decision to file for bankruptcy has not hindered his faith in the future of the scouting.

"I look at it as a good thing for scouting," he said. "I see it as a way for Boy Scouts of America to get this under control."

The Associated Press and USA TODAY contributed to this report.

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