A number of parents in Denver, Colorado are angered and outraged after discovering their sons posing with Hooters girls and finding out that the cub scout camp was sponsored by the local establishment.
ABC News reported that the parents saw the photos of their children on the local Hooters' Facebook page. The parents were also upset that the restaurant sponsored such an event. The photos have since been taken down.
The Boy Scouts of America Denver Area Council has confirmed that Hooters approached them regarding working with the scouts. The council added that the local Hooters gave financial contribution to the camping event. A manager at Hooters also said in a statement that they provided three of their employees every day for the three-day Cub Scout camp as volunteers.
One of the mothers of a seven-year-old who attended the Cub Scout camping said that she was taken aback when she saw her son wearing a Hooters visor. She picked up her son from the camping event that time. The mother, Michelle Kettleborough, added, "Quite honestly we're questioning whether we're going to keep him in the organization at all next year."
Kettleborough added that it's not about Hooters itself, its female employees, or the way they dress. She pointed out that the volunteers from Hooters were of great help but Kettleborough really feels that Hooters and Boy Scouts are not the right fit.
Another mother, named Marsha Corn, believes that having Hooters sponsor the event is different from the philosophies of the Boy Scouts organization. She pointed out that the council made a poor choice and she would like to see some accountability regarding the matter. She also said that she sent an email to the local Boy Scouts chapter but her concern about Hooters' sponsorship was dismissed.
In the email, which was said to be replied to by a district executive, Corn was told that Hooters indeed "assisted with the costs of putting on the camp, and through their community volunteering several of their waitresses donated their time to help staff the camp. Glad to hear your son had such a good time."
It is unclear how the matter will move forward.
