|
bighigaz
Dec 9, 2003, 6:50 PM
Post #1 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 30, 2002
Posts: 696
|
Just curious how many of us got their starts in the vertical world with the Boy Scouts. (Or Girl Scouts...)
I hear a lot of garbage out there about the scouts, but I have been involved with them since I was old enough to tie a knot, and I would not be as in love with the mountains and rocks as I am now had I not gotten my start with the BSA years ago.
There are several posts out there "bashing" them for there overkill safety tactics, but the plane fact is, they are there for a reason, and they stick by their standards!
If more of us "regular" climbers would practice the amount of safety, first aid, and emergency preparedness they do, I'm sure there would be a lot fewer accidents in the climbing community!
|
|
|
|
|
grat
Dec 9, 2003, 7:13 PM
Post #2 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 15, 2003
Posts: 13
|
I didn't start climbing in boy scouts, but I learned how to repel in boy scouts. People who talk crap about the boy scouts are most likely people who couldn't get their Eagle, or just were not in the program and need to quit talking their garbage. Of course being a boy scout is not required to be a good person, but it helps.
I agree that boy scouts taught me to love and respect the wilderness. The program also taught me to be prepared and safe in everything I do. I believe that makes me a better climber.
|
|
|
|
|
jobial
Dec 9, 2003, 7:14 PM
Post #3 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 3, 2003
Posts: 23
|
I too had my start with the BSA. Sadly, I'm unwilling and unable to hold much respect for the scouts. They have become an organization increasingly defined by teaching intolerance, discrimination and prejudice to young men. This failing cannot bo overlooked or excused even in light of the great things they do teach.
Like my brother, father and grand father - all eagles - I've renounced my rank and membership.
|
|
|
|
|
holdplease2
Dec 9, 2003, 7:18 PM
Post #4 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 1733
|
Thought this was going to be a post about Brit bikes. ;)
-Kate.
|
|
|
|
|
griffix
Dec 9, 2003, 7:26 PM
Post #5 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 25, 2003
Posts: 61
|
In reply to: Thought this was going to be a post about Brit bikes. ;) -Kate.
Yeah, me too. I love BSA bikes my dad and I rebuilt one a few years back.
|
|
|
|
|
davfan
Dec 9, 2003, 7:31 PM
Post #6 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 29, 2003
Posts: 25
|
In reply to: I too had my start with the BSA. Sadly, I'm unwilling and unable to hold much respect for the scouts. They have become an organization increasingly defined by teaching intolerance, discrimination and prejudice to young men. This failing cannot bo overlooked or excused even in light of the great things they do teach. Like my brother, father and grand father - all eagles - I've renounced my rank and membership.
think about it moron, i wouldn't want my son in the same tent as a young homosexual male. for the very same reason they cannot allow girls into the boyscouts, they have to deny membership to young homosexual males. besides, just putting that person in a different tent would be more humiliating and more of a form of discrimination than never allowing them to join the organization in the first place. I myself being an Eagle Scout, know full well that it would make nearly every guy in a troop very uncomfortable to know that there was a homosexual sleeping in the tent a few feet away from them, i wouldn't be able to fall asleep!
|
|
|
|
|
alderak
Dec 9, 2003, 7:38 PM
Post #7 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 18, 2003
Posts: 155
|
I discovered the outdoors through boy scouts, and I respect the
program.
I also know that there are huge differences between troops and councils... my troop always allowed and supported differing views in religion, sexual preference and anything else you can find to whine about...
I just think it depends on your troop...
And a branch of scouts called explorers is coed... some of the best times I have ever had were packing horses in the bob marshal wilderness with my explorer troop... we used to spend about a month of every summer camping in the bob.
|
|
|
|
|
crotch
Dec 9, 2003, 7:44 PM
Post #8 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 16, 2003
Posts: 1277
|
In reply to: I myself being an Eagle Scout, know full well that it would make nearly every guy in a troop very uncomfortable to know that there was a homosexual sleeping in the tent a few feet away from them, i wouldn't be able to fall asleep!
I don't get it. Why would this keep you awake? Are you a repressed homosexual unable to resist the extreme temptation of a hot young guy separated from you by only two thin sheets of nylon? Is that what keeps you awake?
|
|
|
|
|
raindog
Dec 9, 2003, 7:50 PM
Post #9 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 22, 2003
Posts: 200
|
In reply to: In reply to: I too had my start with the BSA. Sadly, I'm unwilling and unable to hold much respect for the scouts. They have become an organization increasingly defined by teaching intolerance, discrimination and prejudice to young men. This failing cannot bo overlooked or excused even in light of the great things they do teach. Like my brother, father and grand father - all eagles - I've renounced my rank and membership. think about it moron, i wouldn't want my son in the same tent as a young homosexual male. for the very same reason they cannot allow girls into the boyscouts, they have to deny membership to young homosexual males. besides, just putting that person in a different tent would be more humiliating and more of a form of discrimination than never allowing them to join the organization in the first place. I myself being an Eagle Scout, know full well that it would make nearly every guy in a troop very uncomfortable to know that there was a homosexual sleeping in the tent a few feet away from them, i wouldn't be able to fall asleep!
Canadian Scouts have been coed for years.
I can see you earned your homophobia merit badge.
-Jeff
|
|
|
|
|
redpoint73
Dec 9, 2003, 7:53 PM
Post #10 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 20, 2002
Posts: 1717
|
In reply to: I didn't start climbing in boy scouts, but I learned how to repel in boy scouts.
Apparently, they didn't teach you how to spell.
|
|
|
|
|
sticky_fingers
Dec 9, 2003, 7:53 PM
Post #11 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2003
Posts: 420
|
In reply to: In reply to: I myself being an Eagle Scout, know full well that it would make nearly every guy in a troop very uncomfortable to know that there was a homosexual sleeping in the tent a few feet away from them, i wouldn't be able to fall asleep! I don't get it. Why would this keep you awake? Are you a repressed homosexual unable to resist the extreme temptation of a hot young guy separated from you by only two thin sheets of nylon? Is that what keeps you awake?
obviously he can't afford a tent with Gay-Stop and No-See-Um-Penis-Mesh :roll:
seriously davfan, are you afraid you're gonna catch gay?
*I* think I see someone protecting their bridge....
|
|
|
|
|
dwm81281
Dec 9, 2003, 7:53 PM
Post #12 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 18, 2003
Posts: 47
|
In reply to: for the very same reason they cannot allow girls into the boyscouts, they have to deny membership to young homosexual males.
Oh and don't forget that all young homosexual males are raging sex addicts who can't keep their hands off any object that smacks of testosterone. And the same goes for young girls, too.
Frankly, these are the attitudes that have led to BSA's bad rep, and its very disappointing. It makes my stomach turn to read comments like that after reflecting on what a positive, character building experience my time in BSA was. But I guess an organization is only going to appear as good as the members who represent it.
|
|
|
|
|
toonarmy
Dec 9, 2003, 7:58 PM
Post #13 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 10, 2003
Posts: 133
|
While scouts may provide an opportunity for youth to enjoy the outdoors, I think falls short of instilling respect for the outdoors. My experience, both as a boy scout and as someone who's had numerous encounters with scouts, is that they are obnoxious and disruptive. This isn't necessarily a criticism of the organization. It's just that kids of that age, expecially when in a group, are by nature obnoxious and disruptive. If you want children to learn to respect the outdoors, they need to have a more personal experience -- something that just cannot be accomplished in a large group.
Have I seen troops where scouts are respectful and courteous? Yes. But those troops tend to be overly regimented for my taste.
My children may or may not participate in scouts -- it's up to them. However, I will not rely on scouts to teach them anything about the outdoors or about outdoor activities.
Oh, and I earned an Eagle, so I guess this gives me the right to "talk crap" about the scouts.
|
|
|
|
|
roc_klimber
Dec 9, 2003, 8:06 PM
Post #14 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 9, 2002
Posts: 87
|
I started climbing in the boy scouts and got the climbing merit badge. Then progressed to become an eagle scout. Scouting taught me many core values: honesty, respect and caring. Camping and other activities we did will always stay in my memories. One of my climbing partners is also an eagle scout. I drifted away from the troop at 17 when I found a job and high school.
However i do not condone the actions of the administrators denying gay boy's membership, however, I do not think that gay adults should be admitted as leaders into the program, wich they arent. I had a wonderful time in scouts and I will suggest the idea to my boy when he's old enough.
|
|
|
|
|
djnibs
Dec 9, 2003, 8:12 PM
Post #15 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 11, 2002
Posts: 464
|
In reply to: think about it moron, i wouldn't want my son in the same tent as a young homosexual male. for the very same reason they cannot allow girls into the boyscouts, they have to deny membership to young homosexual males. besides, just putting that person in a different tent would be more humiliating and more of a form of discrimination than never allowing them to join the organization in the first place. I myself being an Eagle Scout, know full well that it would make nearly every guy in a troop very uncomfortable to know that there was a homosexual sleeping in the tent a few feet away from them, i wouldn't be able to fall asleep!
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS A HUMAN BEING. HOMOSEXUAL PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A DISEASE. YOU CAN'T GET IT FROM THEM JUST BY BEING NEAR THEM. AND WHO IS TO SAY THAT THERE ISN'T HOMOSEXUALS IN THE BOY SCOTTS?????UNLESS THEY HAVE A PI FOLLOW ALL THE LITTLE BOYS AROUND AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE "HOMOSEXUAL INCOUNTERS"?????? TO DENY SOMEONE THE CHANCE TO LEARN AND GROW IS JUST MORALLY WRONG. JUST BECAUSE THERE IS A HOMOSEXUAL AROUND DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY WILL, EXCUSS THE WORDING, "GET JIGGY WITH IT"!!!!!!!!! JEEZ, GROW UP.
Well. I have gone to a clinic with the BSA and learned all about rappelling. But I already knew a lot about climbing.
|
|
|
|
|
redpiton
Dec 9, 2003, 8:31 PM
Post #16 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 8, 2003
Posts: 238
|
I was a cubscout...but I dropped out my first year of WEBLOWS. I mean jesus... WE BLOW? come on!!!
I work with many BSA troops and I do many programs with the boy scouts, and I must say its not like the good old days of overnights in the backyards etc... Its more like nazi rednecks training to be soldiers. I dont think they have any safety gidelines what so ever for climbing. For kids to earn their "climbing merit badge", at least in troops around me, they barley need to know how to belay.
It's sad, but I dont think its the kids fault, its the leaders and people in charge.
|
|
|
|
|
hema
Dec 9, 2003, 8:33 PM
Post #17 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 10, 2003
Posts: 251
|
In reply to: Thought this was going to be a post about Brit bikes. ;) -Kate.
Bovin Serum Albumin, so whats the story about boy scouts or bikes?? Oh me starting climbing had nothing to do with boy scouts, though I'm a scoutleader in been in the scout for nearly 20 years.
|
|
|
|
|
anykineclimb
Dec 9, 2003, 8:53 PM
Post #18 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 30, 2003
Posts: 3593
|
Anyone find it ironic that Sir Baden Powell(creator of Boy Scouts), Encouraged scouts to swim in the nude and remarked in his journal of the nude boys' figure...
Oh yeah, I did learn the Rappell in the BSA and earned my eagle.
|
|
|
|
|
crotch
Dec 9, 2003, 8:59 PM
Post #19 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 16, 2003
Posts: 1277
|
In reply to: In reply to: Thought this was going to be a post about Brit bikes. ;) -Kate. Bovin Serum Albumin
Hah, I'm not the only one who thought that.
|
|
|
|
|
j_ung
Dec 9, 2003, 9:10 PM
Post #20 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 21, 2003
Posts: 18690
|
Hence the previous "intolerance" point... homophobe.
|
|
|
|
|
petsfed
Dec 9, 2003, 9:27 PM
Post #21 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 8599
|
I learned the basics, but quickly got bored with the "zero real danger" aspect of climbing with the scouts. On the other hand, some of the best times I've ever had were out with the scouts teaching winter camping skills. Mind you, I didn't enjoy sleeping in those quintzees (wet and cramped when I had a four season tent all to myself), but it was a good time and I learned a ton as well.
Also, I maintain my rank as an Eagle Scout, but I don't know that I'll send my future children into the program. As somebody else said, its becoming Nazi rednecks training to be soldiers.
|
|
|
|
|
holdplease2
Dec 9, 2003, 9:38 PM
Post #22 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 1733
|
BSA is British Motorcycle company, known for the Rocket, among others. Other Brit bikes include Norton, Triumph.
So crotch...is that as in rocket? ;)
-Kate.
|
|
|
|
|
fullahsiffur
Dec 9, 2003, 10:10 PM
Post #23 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 2, 2003
Posts: 376
|
I like the BSA!
Where else do they go overboard on safety and then give stupid, irresponsible kids the belay line?
I am 14 and a Life, so by being a current member, I can talk.
Always remember,
Though three-fourths of scouting is outing, two-thirds of BSA is BS.
|
|
|
|
|
boz84
Dec 9, 2003, 10:16 PM
Post #24 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 7, 2002
Posts: 473
|
I'm an Eagle scout, and I wouldn't give it up for the world.
I wear my eagle knot right next to my scouting for all knot, which includes a rainbow and colors symbolizing aetheism.
The mindsets of a select few do not trickle down to the vast vast majority of the scouting leadership. As an organization, BSA has made some bad decisions, but it is the decisions they are allowed to make, as a private organization. Hate it if you want to, or you can just realise that 90% of Scouts and scouters are accepting of homosexuals and other groups that dont coincide with some of the organizations ideals.
Back to the subject at hand:
I started seriously climbing at scouts, and now lead a climbing and backcountry trekking program for the summer camp I attend. It's been great to be able to go full circle from a participant to a lader in the program, and the amount of people I am able to introduce into climbing is great.
|
|
|
|
|
boz84
Dec 9, 2003, 10:20 PM
Post #25 of 82
(5324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 7, 2002
Posts: 473
|
In reply to: I like the BSA! Where else do they go overboard on safety and then give stupid, irresponsible kids the belay line? I am 14 and a Life, so by being a current member, I can talk. Always remember, Though three-fourths of scouting is outing, two-thirds of BSA is BS.
Uhh...
you can talk about what exactly?
The BSA climbing program, when run correctly, is incredibly safe, but not overly safe, and only if an insctructor was completely inept would they give belay to someone that is not ready, at least not without a backup.
Since you consider yourself such an expert on climbing safety practices, maybe next time you should speak up about your worries of an inexperienced belayer, instead of clamming up. Truly then, YOU are the dangerous one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
