Youth group troop size (was) RE: [at-l] RE: Group Hiking Query

[nealb at midlandstech.edu (William Neal)]

Actually I would bet that the "intimate..." is an official, on-top
explanation.  Probably the under-lying reason is "liability".  And another
part of the reason might be that most troops cannot get enough knowledgeable
adults to help.  Even back when I was a scout, only 1 of our scoutmasters
had sons -- the scoutmaster.  All the rest were "single".  And the two who
did have kids, they had all girls.  Ideal would be 1 adult to 4 kids. And we
came close with all the adult males who volunteered. 

Volunteer if you can.  Volunteer even if it hurts.  Today's kids are your
tomorrow's doctors, lawyers... or muggers, rapists....  Volunteer.

William The Turtle

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Martino [mailto:yumitori@montana.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 9:21 PM
To: at-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [at-l] RE: Group Hiking Query



> I hear what you're saying and I don't entirely disagree. We all should be
> sensitive to the issues you raise.
> 
> But as a Boy Scout leader I find that advice is also impractical.
> 
> In order to give a group the "intimate relationship with the outdoors"
they
> are seeking, and yet maintain the safety and training they need, it is
> usually not possible to break up the group into sub-groups that small and
> still keep sufficient leadership.
> 
> This is especially true in Boy Scouts. We are required to maintain at
least
> two adult leaders in every group, regardless of group size, and there are
> only so many leaders to go around.
> 
> Scouts are taught to follow Leave No Trace principles, so hopefully that
> mitigates the situation.
> 
> -jns

	Since traveling in smaller groups is itself often considered part of
the Leave No Trace ethic, how do you reconcile the two? Then, I must say
that on the face of it, the argument that one needs to keep larger
groups together in order to provide an "intimate relationship with the
outdoors" seems to be an oxymoron.

	I curious - how much training in traveling gently in the backcountry
do
the leaders of your troop receive?

	Ron

-- 

It is our attitude toward free thought and free expression that will
determine our fate. There must be no limit on the range of temperate
discussion, no limits on thought. No subject must be taboo. No censor
must preside at our assemblies. 
	William O. Douglas 

yumitori(AT)montana(DOT)com
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