DuctTape

For many of the "elite teams", it is a business. The coach is there to make a living. Winning is necessary to continue in the business (parents wont pay big bucks to be on a team that habitually loses). Thus the coach is financially interested in maximizing the time the players practice. This is far different from what should be happening in youth sports (or any youth activity for that matter). The sole purpose should be to provide opportunities for kids to play and have fun. Unfortunately the adults led organized activities and sports become focused on other things. Adults are deluded in believing that these hyper focused adult led sports, etc... will lead to pro-careers or even college scholarships. Those kids who will make it will showcase their talent on even the worst teams, clubs, etc... It is big business to get parents to pay big money in an attempt to buy their way into scholarships or pro sports. Too bad it doesnt work.

Some might argue that religious leaders are some of the most adept at mass social manipulation. To decree the order came from god makes it unquestionable even though the decree is really just the religious leader's self directed moral code based on their personal (or groups) interpretation and implementation. Religious based moral codes are no less succeptible to mans own personal justification, interpretation etc. I might argue that invoking god into the moral code allows us to take the easy way out in determining the real ethical and moral choice given the complexity of the situation. Even absolutists use word choices which really have situational or subjective determiners within them. The recent discussion regarding the word kill vs murder is case in point. Those that argue the word should say murder are really just saying killing that is immoral. It is a circular argument which begs the question how does one determine when killing someone is a violation of the moral code. The answer requires a specific situation and the details to determine, thus it is not an absolute, but situation specific.

The claim that there is either a god inspired moral code or it is based on self-preservation is a false dichotomy. Ones moral code can (and I would argue is) based on that of the communities' interest. It is NOT self-serving, nor based on what is good for the individual, but instead based on serving others and what is best for the society as a whole.

Yes we fundamentally disagree. In addition, the alone in the wilderness is a false premise as mammals cannot survive without being reared, thus any conclusion based off your story is not valid. Lastly, even other animals demonstrate actions which could be perceived as showing empathy, compassion etc... I am thinking of elephants and whales. Fascinating creatures. I will not go as far as to say that they have morals as we cannot ask them about their choices. But their behaviors seem to show that actions which appear to follow the same direction as a moral compass. So yes, we do fundamentally disagree. I believe that I and others do have a general understanding of moral principles without them being handed down by a god.

So you are saying you don't know the difference between right and wrong without someone telling you? Empathy, compassion, caring, love for one another is part of being human. I know the right thing to do without an external source.

I disgree with the last sentence. Empathy is a great source. Like those who choose to ignore their god's command, there are those who choose to act in opposition to that which they know they should. This doesnt make the source unreliable, it means humans choose whether to follow their moral compass. Even without god, the compass can point the right direction. One still has the choice to follow it.

My wife has one. We also have kayaks and canoes. The SUP is not a watercraft. It is a water toy. It has many variations and could be used to transport but that is not its design nor function. It is for recreating on the water, not for transport of people or gear. Sure it can be used, and probably is but only in perfect conditions. One should not be traveling on water in a vessel which requires only perfect conditions. Like almost all things, choose the right tool for the job.

I didnt diary much until about 10 years ago. With over 30 nights a year in the woods, I certainly have my last 70 in journal form. Some with photos, some not.

IMO the Oath does not need changing. However, there should not be some other declaration of any specific principles which narrowly define those principles. Keep the oath, lose the drp.

Bingo! High adventure is not a where, but a what. After the boys decide on the adventure, then they can decide on the geography.

This is just one reason I abhor the idea of scouts acting as foreman for a contracting project. These building projects require too much adult participation.

"Do a good turn daily" sounds like an excellent way to demonstrate all of it.

Watching trends and changing from traditional scouting to a modern career oriented program which de-emphasizes the outdoors and scoutcraft sounds like a repeat of the failed attempt of the improved scouting program of the 70s. Unfortunately GBB isnt around to bail them out this time.

A webelos, or ten webelos visiting a troop is not a cub event, it is a troop event. This is no different than if the boys were not cubs and are just boys from off the street looking to potentially join the troop. Sometimes we can get to caught up in the minutiae of the "regs" and not see the forest for the trees.

I dont see a problem withva patrol of 2. Even though there is more work for each, the goal of scouts and the patrol method is to learn unselfishness. If each scout has the best interest of his buddy in mind, and they work together for the betterment of each other and the community as a whole then all is well. I might suggest they share all their fun and adventures with other boys and this may lead to their buddies joining them. IMO, this is how bsa recruitment should be done anyway. Low key, and on an individual basis.

With the addition of one other person with a similar vision for change, the likelihood of succcess increases dramatically. If I am the only person who "sees the need", I will make an attempt to find/convince the other person but if it doesnt happen ... tilting at windmills is futile.

Plan trips close to the full moon. Around midnight the forest is bright, almost like day with moon light reflecting off snow. Ask boys how they could plan activities/meals/sleep around this phenomenon.

I had a dream they decided to reprint the HandBook and Fieldbook from the 1950s. It was just a dream.

The type of human waste disposal system emplyed at a location is less about convenience for the visitors (and their desires) and almost entirely based upon volume of use. No facilities are appropriate in locations which get so few visitors. Front country locations might have pit toilets or outhouses. Areas with many visitors require more extensive systems to handle the volume.

Agreed. That is the main reason I dont care about market share, or the number of scouts nationally. I do care about shifts in the program away from the outdoors which makes scouts unique. What is called Scoutcraft; boys learning to do things for themselves. That WAS the mission.

One of my other volunteer jobs is helping maintain/repair/build lean-tos and outhouses/thunderboxes. The nastiest had to be after we dug a new hole for the outhouse. Usually we just tip the old one over and carry it to the new location. This nasty one required us to lift it about a foot first to avoid the seat decapitating the "cone of death".

Contrary to your belief that you are able to see things from the other side, clearly you either cannot or do not. That is too bad. I guess I will go back to being relatively silent and just wait out your remaining years.

I find your second paragraph interesting as it has felt for a very long time that much of the conservative agenda appears to be shoved down the throats of others. The idea that my council, district, troop, etc... could not have specific leaders they desired due to the jamming of others ideals down our throats. Why won't you et al allow us to live and let live and allow us to make our own choices as to who we allow as leaders? (Asked rhetorically). The slippery slope you fear has been our reality for the last few decades, at least now we can return to officially having the leaders we desired. We are not jamming our choice down your throat, we are glad you are no longer able to jam yours down our thoats.

Fyi, Devils Path is in the Catskills.

I have not done WB, but I have been a participant in many bsa trainings. Based on my experience, and what I have gleaned from this forum (and this specific thread) is the bsa ( national, council and district) have difficulty in designing and implementing the standards and curriculum. Perhaps it is my background as a professional educator that I am able to see not just the problem but the solution as well.