Trail Life USA

[Ken]

Looks like there's now an alternative to the Boy Scouts.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/09/us...html?hpt=us_c2

[finallyME]

I wish them well.

[crashdive123]

As do I.........

[BENESSE]

So how are they different from BS...I must have missed something?

[Rick]

I was....I mean they....yeah.

[LowKey]

Less, how shall I put it...inclusive.

[hunter63]

Looks like a religious back ground...?

[LowKey]

Read about it being more Don't ask, Don't tell.

[1stimestar]

They will not allow boys who are "out".

[BENESSE]

Fine. We have BSA an now there's Trail Life USA. Live and let live, if you ax me, hope there's a right place for everyone.
I certainly wouldn't want to belong anywhere I am not welcomed, wouldn't be any fun...but maybe that's just me.

[Ken]

I certainly wouldn't want to belong anywhere I am not welcomed, wouldn't be any fun...but maybe that's just me.

I keep telling 2dumb that, but God knows he keeps coming back here.

[BENESSE]

I keep telling 2dumb that, but God knows he keeps coming back here.

You did mention something about birds of a feather...

[zeroed4x]

I hope they do well and carry on the traditions of woodcraft/bushcraft. We need our youth to get off the computer, stop texting and get out and do something to build charter and values.

[Rick]

That's a bit harsh. Just because a kid is on the computer doesn't mean he does not have character or values. Those are taught at home. This is an age of computers and all kids need to know how to use them. I think there's a place for balance between inside events and outside events whatever those might be. Hopefully, that's what you meant I read too much into your answer. If so, mea culpa.

[zeroed4x]

That's a bit harsh. Just because a kid is on the computer doesn't mean he does not have character or values. Those are taught at home. This is an age of computers and all kids need to know how to use them. I think there's a place for balance between inside events and outside events whatever those might be. Hopefully, that's what you meant I read too much into your answer. If so, mea culpa.

Rick you're reading way too much into something that is meant to be positive. Don't be so over critical of my point blank and candid insight.
Its not really meant to be harsh, it is true for some young people. Not all of our youth are glued to the phone and computer but some of them are. My daughters used to be like that to some extent until I got them involved with horseback riding and other outdoor activities. Many of their friends would rather stay indoors on the computer, playing video games or texting. I've met some of these shut ins and they are missing out on a lot of fun. I'm o.k. with kids learning, knowing and honing their computer skills but too much of anything can be bad. The balance you mentioned does not exist for some of these young people.

Rick, you mentioned character and values are taught at home. I did not attempt to imply that all of the kids who are addicted to computers and texting have no values etc. Values and character should be taught at home but church, scouting and other outside organizations add to and reinforce what is taught and fill in the areas that are not. Sometimes its not the kids that fail, its the parents that sometimes fail the kids because the kids are not taught that there is more to life than playing video games. Its not a perfect world out there and I've seen this a few times. Hopefully this new organization will be as strong or even better than the BSA at motivating and engaging young people in constructive activities while building core values and character.

[finallyME]

So how are they different from BS...I must have missed something?

The fundamental difference is this:

BSA will allow youth who say they are gay. However, if they are sexually active (gay or straight) then they would be breaking the oath they take.

Trail life USA is basically all the people who didn't like the change to allow gay youth. So, they say that they will allow gay youth, as long as they don't say they are gay.

Personally, I applaud Trail Life USA. Instead of making an organization change their belief to suit a small minority, the small minority made their own group. I don't agree with their opinion on the matter, but I respect their decision to part ways. I just wish others would follow suit, mostly those that want to go the other way, and allow gay leaders into BSA.

[zeroed4x]

The fundamental difference is this:

BSA will allow youth who say they are gay. However, if they are sexually active (gay or straight) then they would be breaking the oath they take.

Trail life USA is basically all the people who didn't like the change to allow gay youth. So, they say that they will allow gay youth, as long as they don't say they are gay.

Personally, I applaud Trail Life USA. Instead of making an organization change their belief to suit a small minority, the small minority made their own group. I don't agree with their opinion on the matter, but I respect their decision to part ways. I just wish others would follow suit, mostly those that want to go the other way, and allow gay leaders into BSA.

You are very correct. I've always believed that openly stating your sexual orientation has no place in conversation, the workplace, schools, scouting or really anywhere but the bedroom.
Hopefully Trail Life USA will carry on the older traditional values and not pander or cower to the needs of only a few. No one should be excluded from joining in but at the same time a little common sense and respect goes a long way.

[BENESSE]

I've always believed that openly stating your sexual orientation has no place in conversation, the workplace, schools, scouting or really anywhere but the bedroom.

Most of the time one doesn't have to state it, openly or otherwise. Then what?

[1stimestar]

The problem is, they are not "stating" it, but are still being discriminated against. You worry about kids sitting home on the computer playing video games and not developing good character, then agree that it is ok to discriminate against some of these kids and not let them play in any reindeer games... Do you state YOUR sexual orientation? Then why do you think gay people do? "Hi, my name is Bob and I'm straight. Just so you know."

[zeroed4x]

The problem is, they are not "stating" it, but are still being discriminated against. You worry about kids sitting home on the computer playing video games and not developing good character, then agree that it is ok to discriminate against some of these kids and not let them play in any reindeer games... Do you state YOUR sexual orientation? Then why do you think gay people do? "Hi, my name is Bob and I'm straight. Just so you know."

I've never said it was o.k. to be gay or that I agree with it. I don't really care, I don't have to like or dislike it. I do believe that no one should be discriminated against no matter what their choice is. I do object to being subjected to the unnecessary "Hello I am ________ and by the way I'm gay" Who cares ? Really its none of my business if you are attracted to people of your own sex. I really don't give a _ _ _ _. I don't have to like, dislike or accept or anything, so thats it.
I think that having a choice for those that do hold Christian values, do not want their children to be exposed or indoctrinated and would like to have things operated, organized and executed under the same guidelines as when they were young is a really good thing. There are always choices and if an openly gay child or wanna be scout master has to be involved in scouting, join the boy scouts if they can not accept the rules of don't ask don't tell such as in the Trail Life USA. Either way they are included, its another decision, another choice. I'm really glad that parents have a safe haven for their children without the politically correct BS that has infected the BSA. Everyone should be happy, no one is excluded.