KEARNEY, Mo. — A Kearney, Missouri Boy Scout says everything he has worked for, for the past 10 years is gone because he finally admitted who he is. Eric Jones says he was kicked out of the summer cap where he worked because he is gay
Jones, 19, says he knew what the Boy Scouts of America stood for. He even says the Scouts made him who he is today. However, his title, his job, and his Boy Scout honor were stripped on Sunday when he told the Director at the camp where he worked in St. Joe he is gay. In second grade, Eric Jones took the Boy Scout oath, to do his best, obey the scout law, and keep himself morally straight.
“Everything in the scout oath, everything is standing up for whats right,” said Jones.
For more than a decade, Jones wore his scouting uniform with pride.
“Scouting was an outlet for me. An activity. Something I love and I was passionate about,” he said.
At 17, Jones earned the rank of Eagle Scout and this summer he was working at a scout summer camp in St. Joe.
“That’s really one of my passions is helping other people, scouting has taught me that,” said Jones.
But Jones says part of helping other people and living up to the Scout oath meant he needed to be open about who he is.
“You know this is an organization that is focused on middle school and high school and to tell them that they have to hide who they are of course puts even more stress on them,” he said.
So, Sunday, Jones sat down with the Director of Camp Geiger, telling the Director he is gay.
“I was asked to leave. I was told to leave. Pack your things and go,” Jones said.
