DuctTape

I think MattR is on point here. I was at breakfast this morning with my wife, and we overheard (they were very loud) discussing youth soccer. These were coaches (possibly parent-coaches) .It was plainly obvious they were coaching kids like they are collegiate or pros without realizing the benefit of less structure, and playing the game. They were complaining about kids "not being committed to the sport" because they had other interests; athletic and otherwise. They fail to understand the benefit of the off-season, other sports, etc...

My only suggestion is to NOT email anyone. Instead call them, or better speak face to face. Electronic communication appears efficient, and is, to disseminate information. It is wholly inadequate for discussion and conversations. Do call, and either set up appountments to discuss in person or on the phone. Otherwise you run a serious risk of being misunderstood at worst, and at best taking longer to get the answers you seek.

Perhaps. But the actual tone of voice if the author said it aloud would be more compelling. We, as readers, project a lot into the tone and meaning of the written word. Without asking the author to clarify, we can only speculate.

There is a body of research that suggests "tone" is often shifted negatively by the reader. A neutral tone is interpreted as generally negatively; a generally positive tone is interpreted as neutrail, etc... I believe this is due in part to lack of other cues such as body language and the actual tone of voice of a speaker. This is even more common in digital communication, email, online forums, etc... Understanding this phenomenon, I give deference to the writer.

I disagree. Nothing in the LNT statements, nor the author of that article state no one else can visit. Both suggest being mindful of how geo-tagging and posting specific locations especially with gps coordinates can (and have) led to a negative impact on the area. This ethic is common for fisherman who recommend not posting on social media specific locations. Again, it isn't saying you can't go there or not tell anyone about it, only recognize how posting certain information on social media will lead to the destruction of what made that spot special to begin with. Be mindful, and make ethical decisions.

The biggest issue for most people with LNT, is they try to codify the principles into hard-fast rules. LNT, is not about don't do this, the principles and guidelines are for understanding how one's decisions and actions impact the environment and may affect others safety and enjoyment of the area. The principles are not rules, but a guide to help us make decisions while in tbe backcountry. For example, to lessen impact while hiking, single file on established trails is better but spread out very wide while on an off-trail bushwhack is better. The conditions and circumstances matter. I think the principles embodied in LNT are a perfect application of the BSA mission as it is a practical application of making ethical decisions.

Thanks OldScout. I think I got a piece of dirt in my eyes reading that.

Cost is extremely variable as choices can significantly increase basic costs. At one time being thrifty was significantly more important than it is now. Gear was made, not bought. Monthly camping was low impact on some piece of property with zero amenities. Gear was carried on the scouts back, not in trailers. Summer camp was extended versions of weekend trips. Times have changed and our culture is more buy it not build it, pay for it not do it yourself. Scouting has been infiltrated by some of it, but we have opportunities to still be thrifty if we want. It just takes more effort and time. Fast, Easy, Cheap... you can only choose 2.

For many many troops the change you lament has been here for decades. The loss of patrol method adventure was replaced with a trailer and plop camping for a long time in most troops. The new g2ss sadly codifies it as the new normal for everyone.

I have tried it too. I found it more trouble than it was worth. Baking is much easier with a fire. Setting the same pot into hot ashes with the same foil ring (or a few stones) with no water allows for temps in excess of boiling and real baking. But if only a stove is avail then you are stuck with steam baking. I think the fuel consumption "outweighs" the benefit when LD backpacking though. ymmv. It is a cool trick, just not practical imo.

"Thousand points of light..." and we are off!

Cliff Jacobson is the real deal. He is a well known outdoorsman, focusing on paddling mostly in the BWCA. He is a published author as well. Regardless, if the BSA was to go this direction (I highly doubt they will), the person would not just be a name to endorse the brand. To be effective they would need to go all in making videos, etc... showcasing the scouting adventures with and alongside the personality. I would recommend they have multiple personalities. Get "famous" personalities from different regions and with different areas of expertise. Full out media blitz.

Individual units have always had the freedom to restrict membership for both scouts and scouters.

My troop growing up was chartered by " A group of citizens". Parents, etc... are community members. So a service project which benefits the greater community should suffice. For example, Is there a local park, or playground that tbe parents often use? Schedule a clean-up the park project.

That is unfortunate. There is a ton that can be done backpacking which is lightweight and much cheaper. Way less trash too. I am personally not a fan of eating out of bags. Some don't mind, it just feels wrong to me. My home dehydrated meals get reconstituted in the pot, I eat right out of the pot.

I still don't understand why the need for a DRP. We don't have a DCP (Declaration of Citizenship Principles) and the Oath also states Duty to Country. We don't have a DHP (Declaration of Helping Principle) and the oath states we are to help other people at all times coupled with "do a good turn daily" and "be prepared". Or we could just recognize that the DRP, DCP, DHP or any others are just redundant.

as far as writers, directors etc... changing their minds about the storyline, have any of you heard of the JarJar = Sith theory? It has been surmised that the Jar Jar character was so detested, they had to make a major shift. If you havent heard of it, I would recommend SW fans to read about it.

attack? or recognition of human fraility and self discovery of the complexities of the universal force including man's interaction within and surrounding it. Or is it just a story with no hidden or deeper meaning except that which we decide to infuse ourselves.

I have not used a dutch oven on a camping trip in decades. All of my expeditions involve either backpacking or significant portages on canoe treks. That said, it IS possible to do dutch oven style recipes in a lighweight aluminum pot. It is much more difficult due to the fast heat transfer of Al. So I am happy to contribute to the contest if my "no dutch oven" will count.

I am an Eagle Scout, and have been SM. My troop as a youth did not participate in OA, neither does the troop in which I am currently a volunteer. I am not "excited" about the addition of girls. I am neutral. I am happy about ending the exclusion of gays (youth and adult). I would have rather the BSA end the exclusion of atheists before admitting girls. It never made sense to me why other troops should have a say in the religious practices of my troop.

One of the great things about art, regardless of the medium is the response of the audience. Meaning how the art speaks to the audience independently to other audience members. We see what we choose to see; it speaks to what we want to hear. Art is often a mirror to ourselves, both individually and as a group. Sometimes what we do not like in the art is a result of the art highlighting that which is disagreeable about ourselves that is difficult to admit. Sometimes it is just art.

I agree with Fred, but would only change those books/pamphlets to Patrol instead of troop.

In my opinion, IOLS (done right) is a great course for all scouters not just SM and ASM. I also would encourage all parents to take it. Basically the participants do all the T-FC outdoor skills including Totin Chip and FireMn Chit.

Hesitantly, I will step into the fray but just for a moment to provide potential illumination to how those two concepts (murder, pedophilia) are part of a societal compromise. For the first, murder is often defined as "unlawful killing", or "unjustified killing", in either case the societal compromise are the details and circumstances which make the distinction between justified/unjustified. The codification of those distinctions are what make it legal or not. Thus the definition of exactly what constitutes "murder" as opposed to justifiable (or legal) taking of life. For the second, the social compromise is also codified as the age of consent as an arbitrary age decided upon by the common culture of the time. For sure there are instances and circumstances in which few (if any) would disagree that the conduct is murder/pedo which are so far beyond "the line". But the approaching and crossing the "line" is a construct of societal compromise. At least that is how I see it.

I did not think anyone would believe that purposely hurting others is something we should encourage. I agree with teaching victims resilience, fortitude, etc... I am not sure I agree that "anti-bullying measures" are the cause of boys lashing out. There are many factors that lead to those behaviors. Teaching boys and girls (girls are just as bad at bullying) other ways to interact appropriately instead of bullying or lashing out is part of parenting, youth development, and common culture. I would be remiss if I did not mention that there are more than 2 actors in bullying, harassment, abuse (I keep stating all three because I see them as existing on a continuum) besides just perpetrator and victim. The others, witnesses, bystanders etc... also play a role. That role also exists on a continuum of perpetuating, ignoring, intervening. I believe we should also be teaching others to move towards the intervening end. That was basically my original point.