Need help ... diversity project

[Cgrutt]

Need to come up with a "diversity" project for Scouts. I prefer to keep it outside of typical race/gender/orientation mumbo jumbo and stick with a more traditional definition of diversity... change. So I was thinking about hiking program during the 4 seasons and how equipment and gear choices would differ depending on various changes in weather. Apparently this doesn't meet criteria they're looking for...

So any ideas about different hiking styles,and/or techniques, etc.? For example how day hike might differ from military mission? Or maybe how hiking has changed over past 100 yrs in terms of what equipment was available and methods used?

Needed for project idea for my Wood Badge goals. Any thoughts and recommendations appreciated.

[usmcveteran]

Barefoot, sandals, shoes? Sticks vs hiking poles vs nothing. Current vs traditional snow shoes, could make traditional or pine bough ones.

[Figment]

If you want to get deep with the scouts you might do some basic research into how native people survived verses all the awesome tools we do today. You could research how native Americans survived in this climate with basic tools, than transition into modern techniques and tools we have, and how much safer it makes us. I'm no expert in this area but it came to me tonight as I'm planning a trip with my 5 and 10 year old veterans day weekend to visit plimoth (yes that's correct spelling) plantation with my parents. It might be interesting to show them how native peoples in the past had such an understanding of nature to survive, and how we have so many technological advances that help and make us more safe. You could represent culture in a positive way.

[Cgrutt]

I thought about barefoot but don't think that would fly, LOL...

[masterswimmer]

Diverse ecosystems. Hiking, camping, survival in desert, arctic, jungle, rainforest, mountain, swamp, bog, etc. That is an absolute definition of diversity without any pre-conceived notion of the political sense of the word.

[Cgrutt]

Diverse ecosystems. Hiking, camping, survival in desert, arctic, jungle, rainforest, mountain, swamp, bog, etc. That is an absolute definition of diversity without any pre-conceived notion of the political sense of the word.

Agreed, but I need to complete it in the Lower Hudson Valley over next eighteen months

[Hunter]

Trees have plenty of diversity and you don't need to buy a bunch of gear. Keep it simple and fun.

[WARFAB]

Wildlife diversity?

[Cgrutt]

If you want to get deep with the scouts you might do some basic research into how native people survived verses all the awesome tools we do today. You could research how native Americans survived in this climate with basic tools, than transition into modern techniques and tools we have, and how much safer it makes us. I'm no expert in this area but it came to me tonight as I'm planning a trip with my 5 and 10 year old veterans day weekend to visit plimoth (yes that's correct spelling) plantation with my parents. It might be interesting to show them how native peoples in the past had such an understanding of nature to survive, and how we have so many technological advances that help and make us more safe. You could represent culture in a positive way.

That is an awesome idea and right in line with what I had in mind, thanks! Anybody know of any good books, etc. that covers this?

[LibertyOrDeath]

How about taking them camping and preparing foods from around the world. That's pretty diverse.

[Pissed Off Patriot]

Ugh. Sounds like a bunch of pc nonsense type of project.

I agree with Figment's idea. Make it about the Native Americans, and their living off the land instead of out of a grocery store if you can.

[24Pink14Stink]

I like the native angle. Don't forget to mention all the diseases we introduced.

[alistair]

How about the diversity of people climbing Mt Everest ? ---- Sherpa, Old time adventurers, Modern guides, clients who pay to climb etc

[Meketrefe]

I like yukon style all the way. Yukon pack too.
My dog carries her own pouch and food too.