The Scout Association is moving with the times - and as a "movement" that was exactly what Baden Powell wanted us to do. Of course there is the same outdoors activities as before, but as a leader for 40 years, I have to say, I rather enjoy "zorbing" myself - and the street sports badge was not only the most enjoyable for my Troop, but also one of the hardest for them to achieve.

Stop complaining about the article everybody - its pretty good! And if you are thinking about joining Scouts - take the plunge, you won't be dissapointed!

Bob Kennedy, Glasgow,

A scout saved the president of Maldives from an assassination attack just last Tuesday.

http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=3999
http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=4014

left back , Male' , Maldives

Of couse you didn't feel like pointing out the new scheme changes enhanced the level of proficiency and required number of traditional cativities at the same time as introducing these badges (Outdoor plus challenges). Nor did you mention that the traditional scoutcraft skills are still a REQUIRED part of the Scouting programme, whereas these new activity/proficiency badges are optional.

Can't comment more as I'm off to learn how to properly plant and maintain a field boundary hedge so I can teach my Cub Scouts later in the year.

Marcus, Reading, Berkshire

I was made aware of this article by the BBC News previewing the papers.

It is a pity to know that Alan Hamilton can use an established and respected media publication to write such a cynical article about a movement that is rooted in the personal and social development of the younger generation.

Whilst communities in general are turning their backs on younger members of society and even the state run education system rewards average performance and turns a blind eye to failure Scouting continues to encourage young people to take notice of, think about and contribute to the world around them.

We leaders volunteer a lot of time to educate and develop young people's personal and global awareness with lots in between. Glad to know that you can write all this hard work off in order to pick out one component to gain a 'paid for' pathetic swipe at one minute part of an extensive programme.

Mark - Beaver Leader, Douglas, Isle of Man

You imply that fruit salads have taken the place of lighting fires and jumping off cliffs. Wrong. Utterly wrong

If 6 year olds are taught how to eat healthily foods, brilliant. I doubt anybody can argue against that. At the heart of scouting will always be outdoor adventurous activities.
My troop's activities until the summer include:

Powerboating,
Gliding,
Archery,
Target Shooting,
Night Hikes,
Camping,
Swimming,
Climbing
Abseiling,
BMXing,
Karting,
Kayaking,
Sailing,
Windsurfing,
and at the start of the summer, a 10 day trip to the Swiss alps for activities to include ice climbing, white water rafting and much much more.

When you add in the work we do week to week to build friendships, encourage teamwork and help our members look at the world a little differently to their non-scouting friends the few people who give up their time for just one troop do a fantastic job. We are not unusual. Our troop is pretty standard and you will find similar all over the country.

Chris Elmer, beckenham, UK

Not content with soft-liberal teaching methods and lack of discipline in schools this is simply yet another attempt to make male children even more effeminate.

This nonsensical teaching of salad making etc. (and if true the Girl Guides teaching safe sex and self assembly furniture) is simply social engineering at its worst, making boys girls and girls domestic slaves or "proficient sex objects" is all very well and good in the assumption that this materialistic and consumer driven society will be forever.

With the "we are all doomed" clarion call of Global Warming, Climate Shift or Climate Change (or whatever catchphrase they finally settle on) I am sure millions of adults of both sexes will be so pleased they can make a salad or assemble a flat packed table, of course assuming they know anything about agriculture or have any real skills in woodwork to source the materials in the first place.

Alan Girvan, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire