Oh My

[dan]

Returned from the Rocky Mountains National Park on Sunday. It was a really good High Adventure trip. I believe the scouts will remember this trip for a long time, as will I. It was much harder than the 50 miler through Double H and much harder than the 78 miles through Philmont.

BUT my sons turned 18 on the trail last week! I no longer have a Boy in Scouting! Oh My, I feel ... I do not know how I feel! It has been a great 10 years in scouting with my son. My how he has grown!

 

To use Barry's line

 

I LOVE this scouting stuff!

[GernBlansten]

Did you climb Longs Peak or just wander around the park?

RMNP is really cool. Been a while since I used to climb there (like 25 years). When to college in Ft. Collins and would spend quite a few weekends up there.

[dan]

We climbed over Flat Top Mountain twice.

We left on the North Inlet Trail Head and returned on the Green Mountain Trail Head.

We hiked 48 miles in 5 days. Caught around 50 trout in the little time we had to fly fish.

 

Not sure why this ended up on the High Adventure forum? But anyway, I will try to get some pics up of this trip.

[jambo]

That is great., Dan ! That is what Scouting is all about. We need your type of leadership in Scouting of today, but unfortunately 80% are not having this, and that is the reason ?. it seems to me Scouting in USA, is not flurishing, sorry to say. It seems to me, there are only a few of you left...a dying out generation. The National, Regional and the local councils have not even realized this problem. They have set this ( business adminstrative instuctional agenda ) at (Fast track/basic training/ woodbadge ) training courses wich is outdated and mostly useless .( Who, cares about sex abuse ? every one knows it, and it did not stop it ) Therefore new inexperienced leaders are not able to run their units successfuly,or properly . Let me get the heck out, and run ,,,I am going to write a book soon ! (ha,ha) jambo

[dan]

WOW!

The troop I am with, thinks that high adventures is the key in keeping the older youth engaged. The troop had been doing at least 2 high adventures for the last 5 years, before that it was usually one a year. This most likely was my last one, at 52 I think I maybe done hiking. Unless they need an adult for an easy trek at Philmont or Double H.

 

BUT I do not agree with most of your other ideas in your post. I am not sure if scouting is shrinking or not, until they clean up all of the ghost units, I do not believe anyone will know the true answer to the that question, and it will take a few years after they get them all cleaned up before anyone will really know which way the numbers are going.

 

I have been a SM for NYLT for 3 years, I do it because I believe in it along with Wood Badge.

 

And I really think that Youth protection is good training that has done lots of good over the years, along with a time to tell, I know that is the old youth training, but I cannot remember what the new one is called.

Not everyone knows about abuse and how to spot it, I learned from Youth protection as I am sure many others have.(This message has been edited by dan)

[jambo]

Dan, I respect your opinion on not agreeing with me,!!! but I am guessing,I am much older then you. I am only now active with the Troop on consulting basis. And,I try to give suggestions, but mostly , I stay out of the way. I do occasionaly conduct First Aid Merit badge course, Electronis and etc. But, having the experience of running a very successful troop, it hurts me to see the softening,and twindelling of Scouting in USA. Until , my good Lord will permit to live a bid longer ? I will try to contribute some of my elderly wisdom to this Scouter Forum. Keep on Scouting. Jambo