Hi Dale,
Kurt overlooked a mention of the Philmont Scout ranch which is about 60 miles from Taos. Do a google search for their web page. Maybe you
might like to go there instead of where you have been going? I went
there as a new Explorer scout 65 years ago, and still have fond
memories.
Thank you for remembering that aspect of me. It is something that shapes a person.
You will be not amused learning how it is going. Not a theme for this conference but I'll go ahead anyway.
When former Secretary of Defense Gates became the chairman of the BSA a period of change manifested itself. He started the process which eventually allowed gay youth to become a member (which in itself is ridiculous because how many 10yr olds have outed themselves already ... the BSA has always had gay youngsters. Even my former camp director was) openly and the LDS-church was not amused.
Then like 2 years or so ago the decision was made to open the organisation for girls as well, the BSA-programme was very appealing to them and the Girl Scouts was ... very girlly ... remember the girl-scout cookies versus the popcorn (actually, I like that minted chocolate). And the name of the organisation was chenged to reflect that.
The LDS-church, which is the main financial backer, decided they could accepts gays ... but girls?? <shudder> ... "Oh no" ... and the quorum of the 12 decided they were pulling all their youth out of scouting and were starting up their own youth programme without any idea what they were getting theirselves into ... a worldwide organisation of bible-chompers, scripture-devourers (the LDS-scriptures are a set of books different to what other Christians would call 'scriptures') and lecturers about the book of Mormon ... a gigantic brainwash operation.
That is going to happen on February 1st 2020 when the re-chartering occurs and the LDS-chuch will not re-charter their groups. Troops can seek a different re-charter but the pressure by the church and its structures through their bisshops is enormous. A lot of kids will leave a valuable programme and go to a brainwash.
It also means the LDS-church will not be pouring the hundreds of millions of US$ anymore in the scouting organisation which has become so dependant on it that a financial heart-attack is threatening the organisation. They will be losing about 40% of their annual income in one blow, impossible to hide it in the books.
Several councils are going to take a serious hit in membership ... Montana between 40 and 60%, Arizona 80%, Washington state 80% ... that's what's being projected...
Councils will go bankrupt or merge with other councils to remain viable ... camps will need to close because the critical mass of campers to keep them affordable will not be reached anymore. The organisation seems to fail to understand that the 400 resident camps will now need to scramble to get campers from a mass up to 60% smaller to stay with their nose above the water and keep breathing.
Also, the organisation seems to be suffering from several lawsuits for sex-abuse by leaders of small boys. All that information has stayed under the radar because it involved minors and was kept out of the press. Impressive sums have been awarded by courts and in other cases councils have been able to settle out of court ...
It's a little bit like the catholic church ... older men playing with the willies of little boys and everything remains hushed-up.
So ... a lot of money is needed to keep the organisation afloat, some people in Irving TX (the head office) are making 7-digit salaries ... on scouting ?? Plus all the law suits and settlements.
Therefor, and here my story joins your words, the national scouting organisation mortgaged the Philmont ranch without any guarantee they'll ever be able to repay it but hoping the banks will never call in their markers because ... these are the scouts.
My last summer camp, Camp Fife in WA, is folding for next summer, only 25 kids. The other camp of that same council is still open, but only 16 kids entered so far.
It's not looking good, Dale.
\%/@rd
--- D'Bridge 3.99
* Origin: Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards (2:292/854)