How nice that a local group kids go for a trek in support of an para-military, exclusionary, homophobic, discriminating organization. What's next on the agenda, a KKK tea dance?

How nice that a local group of kids go for a trek to develop self reliance, personal achievement and leadership skills while becoming independent thinking young men who are pillars of society. Young men who achieve honor roll status in upper education, become leaders of free society, and above all devote themselves to the service of others.

Really? It's a private group, that gets no more tax breaks than any church...one can't join a church without agreeing to follow their rules. I don;t agree with the BSA stance on gay members, but the good local Troops do outweighs that. I hope the 'official' position changes with time, but in the meantime, it makes no sense to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

I wouldn't want my kid in, nor would throw my support behind, any "private group" that blatantly discriminates -- against any other group. If you want change, then change often begins on the grassroots level. Sorry John, but you don't "hope" that there is change and turn a blind eye or make an excuse; you make change happen by not supporting organizations on any level that discriminate and you call attention to the hypocrisy of "service to others" on one hand while defending bigotry with the other. Sorry, I no longer support the Boy Scouts and I was a Scout. I think they set a terrible example for the future "leaders of a 'free' society."

Kids who have invested ten or eleven years in a program deserve kudos for what they have accomplished. Speak your mind elsewhere. It is unkind to intentionally hurt the feelings of children. A bit of maturity and awareness of your audience would be appreciated.

During a Philmont Trek the boys lead the way, make the decisions on the rounte and how to set up camp. This is typical of the Boy Scouts, a structured organization that give the boys an opportnuity to grow from 11 year old kids into responsible adults. A recent university study showed adults who where involved in Scouting were more involved in the community as positive contributors. The study also showed still a higher level of involvement from those adults who achieved the Eagle rank, the highest level in Boy Scouts.

The Eagle rank is only achieved by individual effort and showing leadership. Many hours of community service to people and organizations outside of Scouting are required. Along the way Scouts learn outdoor skills and other skills through the earning of merit badges. Some folks associate the ranks in BSA as the same as ranks in the military, this with the uniforms makes some think of Scouts as a military organization. It is not. Ranks in Scouting is a method of recognition for individual achievements. Unlike the military they do not have the ability to order around the lower rank scouts, however they do start every meeting with a promise to help others, and to behave by following the Scout law which has a 12 words description.

Oh - by the way the fund used to pay for trip to New Mexico was earned by boys. No taxes or goverment funds are given to the boys or their leaders.

Wow – These kids train for up to a year to hike close to 100 miles over two weeks in the high altitude. Carry all their own gear the entire time. They raise most of the money and their family foots the rest. The adults forego at least two weeks’ vacation and get no financial breaks. The trip of a life time and all some can think about is their own sordid fantasies and agendas. It must be a very dark place you live in.

The bloggers on the Long Valley Patch are a complete disgrace. Every single article on this website turns into something hateful. What a sick bunch you all are. Harassing a wonderful group of boys who have done nothing but good deeds in the community. Leave these poor kids alone and spread your crap elsewhere. Disgusting...

Local troop leave the kids alone. Hate the organization, fine but to disparage the kids in this article, show that you are no better then the heads of the Boy Scouts.

My scouting adventures were pretty much limited to local venues in NJ and PA. Later, I went through N.M. solo when I was 19 in an MGA with a tent, sleeping bag, some essential tools, and survival skills that I learned as a Boy Scout. I’m sure these young men will learn a lot about the diversity of southwest ecology and about themselves.

As a mom of one of the boys on this trek, can't we just support the boys anticipated achievement. Why must everything on this site become a political argument?
Congrats Troop 36 for all your hard work! Enjoy this once in a lifetime adventure!

Part of the problem is that what starts out as a local community topic sometimes gets hijacked into a debate about national, and sometimes global issues. There are many forums out on the Internet where the pros and cons of the actions, or inaction, of large organizations can be debated. Why not enjoy a news article about a group of young people embarking on a once in a lifetime adventure. The Boy and Girl Scouts in our town have contributed their time and talent to a wide variety of good works. Let's recognize their positive efforts and support their good works instead of raging about actions they have no influence over.

@Stacie I really enjoyed their popcorn too. .