TV's on campouts
Michael Derleth (75112.1671@COMPUSERVE.COM)
Tue, 29 Aug 1995 09:57:00 EDT
Just when I thought things were getting too serious with the GSUSA--BSA debate.
. .
I find myself agreeing with Jim Holman:<<"I saw awesome meteorites, watched
<< the progress of the constellations through the moonless sky, saw some neat
bats
<< along the edge of the woods,. . I wonder what scared them at one point when
<< they all suddenly went silent?
Could it have been the huge personal stereo/ghetto blaster/boom box from hell
that
some clod decided to crank just as my camp was (finally) settling down? I
personally
go camping to experience the quiet and solitude of the woods, experience things
I
can't in the city, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Passing the appreciation
of the outdoors along to my Scouts is an important job. . .even here in the
Hunting
Heartland of Louisana.
Ian Ford is also missing an important point: <why shouldn't they listen to music
or the
radio ... or even watch a portable TV ? > The answer is because they expect ME
to
DRIVE IT IN! Before everyone gets off on a rant, I am the ASSISTANT SM. I do
what I'm
told. In my troop it is not unusual for three people's gear to consume the
entire back of a
full-size pickup. . .for a weekend campout. I would prefer the scouts learn how
to camp
comfortably with just what they can carry instead of hauling their whole bedroom
along.
But Ian's half right. . .if a scout brings expensive electronic gear on a
campout and its broken,
lost or stolen. . .tough. I communicate this fact with parents frequently,
stressing the fact that
game boys, etc are not necessary to experience the beauty of the outdoors. If I
hear their
radio, etc, it gets locked in the trunk of my car for the duration.
Outdoors is it's own video game. . .and it doesn't require batteries!
Mike Derleth
ASM T32 Monroe, LA
(among the many hats I wear. . .)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
