“I was wondering if their was some sort of scouts for ages around 15-16. Something that would go for more than just an overnight trip. In East TN area.”

“I think it depends a lot on the troop you get involved with. My sons troop in AZ has ~60 boys and each outing generally has 3 "levels" of activities, the most challenging aimed at 14yr+.

You might also check out Venture Crews. These are coed scouting groups for 14yr+. The crew associated with our troop does several multiday outings during the summer.

A good place to start would be your local council. They can provide info on troops and crews in your area.”

“What do you mean by "local council"?”

“hMM.. well they still got explorers I would think.. which is that age range.. pick up your phone book.. and contact your local Boy Scout office.

by the way.. East Tennessee?.. you can hike with me sometime if you want.”

“Boy Scouts are divided into councils that cover a particular geographic region and districts that cover a particular part of that region and the smallest part is the individual Troops. I.E. I'm in the North Florida Council and my district covers the Beaches of Jacksonville Florida.. If you look in your local phone book for Boy Scouts of America it will list the phone number for your local council and they should be able to direct you to a troop in your area.

If your boy is 15 of older I would put him in a Venture Crew. Ventures is designed for older kids 14+ and should give your son the adventure he is looking for. Nowadays Boy Scouts appeals more to the 11 to 14 age group.

It is extremely important that you find out what the unit is like and how active they are. There is an emmense difference between troops because there is no standardization other than the advancement requirements for the boys. For example in my district there is a "High Adventure" Venture Crew that camps only about 3 times a year, two of those being one week long each. My troop camps 1 FULL weekend a month and 1 week of summer camp and 2-1 week long High Adventure trips for my older boys. Not all troops are the same and it is important that you are comfortable with their attitude, level of activity and skill level.

Also be prepared to volunteer your time. By the mere fact that you have an interest in hiking indicates that you probably have more outdoor knowledge than most leaders out there right now. After all most of these folks got involved because their kids did and might not have any real experience in woodcraft.

If you find a good unit or get involved with a unit and make it better it will be the best time you and your son will ever have together.

Oh yes I would be remiss if I didn't tell you all that Ventures are Co-ed and Boy Scouts are still boys only.”

“I saw in the news where three scouts in Utah destroyed some tracks left from the dinosaurs. Think they need a little leave no trace class. After a good a$$ whipping.”

“The scouts or the dinosaurs?”

“Sandy, you sure those kids weren't Mormon youth? (Ducking and running.)”

“With a little extra attention to the whipping.”

“Only half of UT is Mormon, contrary to popular belief. Plus, with the popularity of destinations in UT, like Dino National Monument, those scouts could have been from anywhere.

Scouts is a good organization but any kids in the outdoors can be destructive. Sometimes their leaders are too old-school and are destructive too. But the BSA has been emphasizing LNT and has come a long way the past decade.”

“Its my understanding that the Mormon Church uses Scouting (Boy & Girl) as their youth groups and that is why CLDS has such influence in driving BSA policy.
I really didn't mean anything by it, though I did think that if Mtngal was lurking, it would bring her out!”

“As recently as the 1980 Census, the Mormon population statewide in Utah was near 70 percent...has there been a big exodus in the past 20 years?”

“Oh, is Mtngal LDS? Where is she anyway? Have I been missing her or has she been gone forever?”

“I don't know what she is, but knocking Mormon's sure got a rise out of her. She been missing for 6-8 weeks or so.”

“

Private Idaho

Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo

You're living in your own Private Idaho

Living in your own Private Idaho

Underground like a wild potato.

Don't go on the patio.

Beware of the pool,

blue bottomless pool.

It leads you straight

right throught the gate

that opens on the pool.

You're living in your own Private Idaho.

You're living in your own Private Idaho.

 Keep off the path, beware the gate,

watch out for signs that say "hidden driveways".

Don't let the chlorine in your eyes

blind you to the awful surprise

that's waitin' for you at

the bottom of the bottomless blue blue blue
pool.

You're livin in your own Private Idaho. Idaho.

You're out of control, the rivers that roll,

you fell into the water and down to Idaho.

Get out of that state,

get out of that state you're in.

You better beware.

You're living in your own Private Idaho.

You're living in your own Private Idaho.

 Keep off the patio,

keep off the path.

The lawn may be green

but you better not be seen

walkin' through the gate that leads you
down,

down to a pool fraught with danger

is a pool full of strangers.

You're living in your own Private Idaho,

where do I go from here to a better state
than this.

Well, don't be blind to the big surprise

swimming round and round like the deadly
hand

of a radium clock, at the bottom, of the
pool.

I-I-I-daho

I-I-I-daho

Woah oh oh woah oh oh woah oh oh

Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah

Get out of that state

Get out of that state

You're living in your own Private Idaho,

livin in your own Private.... Idaho”

“Thanks for all that advice. Towndawg, we'll go sometime.”

“Yes, get out of Idaho so I can have it all to my evil self.”

“Anyone read how some Boyscouts recently ruined many dinosour tracks in Dinosaur Nat'l Monument.

Those rat bastards used hammers to break up and rip up some tracks, and then threw the rocks in the nearby reservoir.”

“WVC Scouts Charged in Juvenile Court
Sunday, July 29,
2001


BY MICHAEL VIGH
THE SALT LAKE
TRIBUNE

Three West Valley City Boy Scouts who damaged
rare dinosaur tracks estimated to be nearly 200 million
years old at a state park have been charged in juvenile
court.
The teens were charged with misdemeanor
destruction of national resources in a state park said
Curt Sinclear, manager of Red Fleet State Park, about
10 miles north of Vernal in northeastern Utah. The boys
could face further state or federal charges, he said
Saturday.
Sinclear, a former Scout himself, said he was angry
that the Scouts would rip up priceless relics. The
incident occurred July 19.
"How can you put a price tag on
190-million-year-old dinosaur tracks?" Sinclear asked.
"You can never get these back, these Scouts should
have been better supervised."
Still, Sinclear said the boys should be punished with
community service and fines. He does not believe jail
time is appropriate.
Last week, Sinclear was preparing to kayak when he
heard loud splashes and saw the boys throwing large
slabs into Red Fleet Reservoir. He jumped into a patrol
boat, zoomed to the bank and confronted the boys.
"Do you realize what you're doing?" Sinclear said.
"Do you realize what you've done?"
Park rangers say there are only a handful of
Dilophosaurus "track ways" of that age in the entire
world. Track ways are sets of three or more tracks
made by the same dinosaur. The park's three track
ways, one of which was damaged by the Scouts, are
considered "extraordinary" and were not discovered
until 1987.
Ranger Mike Murray said one Scout probably placed
his fingers into cracks in the tracks and pried up a
couple 3-foot-by-2-foot slabs. The slabs contained
multiple dinosaur prints.
Two fellow Scouts helped toss the slabs into the
reservoir, while a fourth stood and watched. The three
boys told rangers they did not know about the rare
dinosaur prints, but the fourth boy said he knew there
were tracks in the park.
State paleontologist Jim Kirkland said a sign
describing the tracks had been vandalized and was not
visible.
Rangers have declined to name the Scouts or identify
the troop to which they belonged.
Kay Godfrey, information officer for Great Salt Lake
Council told The Associated Press that the Scouts take
responsibility for the incident and may review their
policies to avoid future vandalism.
"This reflects a disregard for the principles that
Scouting promotes," he said. "It ought to be a warning
to our leaders to always be aware of their surroundings
and conscious of the conduct of our youth."
mvigh@sltrib.com”

“Once again a couple of rotten apples gives all of us a bad name. I also can't tolerate the bald faced lie that they didn't notice the tracks. As a Scoutmaster myself I have to ask where the hell were the adults and why weren't they keeping a better watch on those boys!”

“I've met some cute boy scouts. That is all the scouting info. I have to offer.”

“she likes 12 year olds!

buddha bear has a chance!”

“Heck, if she wants to role play, I'm game!”

“Buddha, you're sooooo cute!”

“I've been with a Troop for a while and I have seen kids that would do that kind of stuff. Most of them are the ones that are in it because mom made them and couldn't give a sh!t about advancing or the program. Most of them leave before they turn 14. As for the question, I think it's been answered. Just ask the troops when you visit how often they do a high adventure and what ones they have done in the past. Also ask how often and what kind of camping trips they do. That will give you a good impression of the group. I haven't had much experience with Venture crews but I will be a part of a new cycling crew that is just forming up. The thing with Ventureing is that it is pretty much specialized. Some will do various activities but they usually stick to one thing. Explorers are something completely different. I highly doubt that there is a hiking related explorer post around.”

“I agree with DM99. Explorer Postes tend to be more career-oriented. YOu will find Law Enforcemnt posts fairly frequently. I think I've heard of a Search and REscue post somewhere out west. Venture Crews seemed to be much more informal groups aimed at training and equiping for one or two major trips per year. Meetigns seemed to be only monthly when I was invovled in BSA.”

“Scouts would backpack and do other outdoor activities more often if the parents wanted them to. The scouting manuals are geared to outdoor activities, it's the adults that usually hold back.”

“LyndyS is very right. When I took over the Troop I announced that we were going to start backpacking and I had several parents state that thier boys COULD NOT HIKE FIVE MILES WITH A PACK. It's pathetic when parents burden thier own children with thier self imposed limitations. Geez, the dude I took over from didn't even like camping.

All youth groups are at the mercy of the adults. Get someone in there that gets it and is excited to be there and it's great, get someone who doesn't get it and doesn't want to do anything and it all goes downhill.”

“Jan 24 1908
The first Boy Scout troop is organized in England by its founder, Robert Baden-Powell. He enjoyed watching the boys swim naked, and as a hobby he collected photographs of them.”

“Anyone hear about the missing 12 year old Scout in western NC? Officials have found no trace at all of him, except his mess kit near where the scouts camped the night before. Officials just issued an Amber alert. Scary stuff.”

“YIKES! I hope they find the kid soon!”

“Each time we see this we learn why certain rules exist. The program has specific policies to protect the youth....”

“Our job as Scoutmasters is to come home with the same number of Scouts we started out with and never make the news.”

“I have soooo many questions regarding this incident and the reports I've read conflict each other. (Cue Lizs to bust on me over that asap, lol!)

However I'll just stick to my preferred comment.
There but for the grace of God go I.

*edit
Making the heartwarming good news section of the news is Ok though.
last edited: 3/19/07 1:18:09 PM”

“Our scouts are reminded on every single trip that you always have a buddy wherever you go. And if they should get lost for some reason, you always hug a tree, i.e. stay put.

I can't figure out why his mess kit was found so far away from camp. I have a horrible feeling this boy was abducted. I hope I am wrong and that they find him.”

“PRAY!”

“A lot of leaders do not understand the REASON for the policies. We were hosting a Cub Pack one night (the second year webelos) and the Cub Master was saying "good night" to all his leaders as they were leaving. We had to go over and strongly suggest he keep at least ONE other leader (preferably two) or the kids would have to leave. He just didn't Understand the reason for the rules.”

“Yep we preached the buddy system on every trip or activity and sometimes we did a lost scout drill to drive it home.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/19/missing.scout/index.html

Some of the scouts in Michael's troop took a hike Saturday while Michael remained with an adult at the campsite, Bauer said. When the scouts returned, they had lunch with Michael who disappeared shortly thereafter, Bauer said.

So Mr. XL person. Speaking of rules and policies see anything glaring in this we bit 'o text?
last edited: 3/19/07 2:56:53 PM”

“2-deep leadership”

“Jimmy wins a cheezy official BSA flint and steel kit.

Now everyone do the cookie cheer.
last edited: 3/19/07 3:01:46 PM”

“As of 3pm this afternoon he has not been found.

He is a 12yoa wearing scout uniform, red scout coat, blue ball cap. He wandered out of camp around 3pm on Saturday. They found his mess kit about a mile from camp on Sunday.

Weather Saturday night was 19 degrees and rather windy. Sunday's high was low 40's and Sunday night was bak in the 20's. It had rained 2+" Friday night so all of the creeks and streams were over their banks; I hope he didn't get wet.

Searchers have been using dog teams, ATV, foot patrols, and my former agency the Highway Patrol has two helo's with FLIR to see his heat signature. There has been about 80-100 searchers looking for him.

The area, Stone Mountain State Park and Doughton State Park, is about 3700' and rather remote. It is bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway and they are patroling it.

As it stands now, the scout troop and leaders really did nothing wrong....he walked out of camp after lunch.

I am going to try and go search tomorrow, they are rotating through all of the teams that are trained and need some fresh legs.

Ironically I am in the process of organizing a WSAR from backpackers to aid the rescue squads in just this sort of function. Typically the rescue guys are not equipped or trained in wilderness functions to the level that they need to be.

Hope this lil dude defies the odds.”

“Yerby, as a parent of a scout, thanks for helping with this.”

“the boy obviosuly left the camp, and since his mess kit was found some distance from the camp perhaps he took it with him? i wonder why? our boys pretty much hang theirs out to dry after doing dishes and only pull them down at meal time... i wonder if he was looking for water to wash his lunch dishes in?”

“Good luck bringing him home Yerby.”

“The boy had stayed behind with an adult leader Saturday morning while the rest of the troop went for a hike that morning "because apparently he wanted to sleep in." The troop members returned for lunch. Soon after, between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., they noticed Michael was missing from the camp, said David Bauer, a ranger with the parkway.

http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=2705294&version=22&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1
last edited: 3/19/07 3:34:52 PM”