Boy Scout camp hit by tornado.

[Tin Man]

Right.

It can be about news and good wishes for the victims.

As an adult leader of boy scout trips and the father of two boy scouts, I can identify with what these folks are going through and yet, I cannot adequately express my sorrow and best wishes for the victims, families, and leaders involved in this terrible tragedy.

[Heater]

i personally am a bit anxious as i am originally from this area and hope that none of my scouting friends were there?

I am with you there. Fingers crossed.

[DAKS]

I am with you there. Fingers crossed.

keep us posted!

[Phlashlite]

kcrg.com reports fatalities

[saimyoji]

Sure, you can have a good laugh about anything. It's a normal human response, actually. It's what the firefighters are doing in the station when they get back from the call, and what the reporters in the newsroom are doing while they're writing the story about the tragedy. It's a way to ease the tension and cope with the difficult emotions.

Having a good laugh over a little black humor, contrary to public opinion, does not in any way detract from the seriousness of the tragedy, nor the ensuing sadness. You can feel horribly about a tragedy while at the same time having a little chuckle at its expense.

But should black humor be injected into a public Internet thread? Perhaps not. I'm just saying, you guys are being a little harsh on the guy.

Maybe it's just that we're Massholes?

As a fellow Masshole I can attest to a certain periodic lack of tact.

I can assure you it was not derogatory towards the poor souls so horribly injured and killed in this catastrophe.

I hope each and every family affected by mother nature's fury can heal and get through this with prayers and solace.

Got your PM and agree with your sentiments as quoted.

[Tin Man]

...But should black humor be injected into a public Internet thread? Perhaps not.

Well, that's the point. Victims or people related to victims, as already might be the case here (and by God, I hope not) read these threads. Doctors use black humor too... when the patient cannot hear them. Let's move on though. 'Nuff said.

[RadioFreq]

News reports are now that four are dead and a lot more are injured.
No word on whether the dead are kids or adult leaders.

As an adult Boy Scout leader who spends a week each summer at camp
with my troop there are no words for how much this hurts.

Prayers to all.

[envirodiver]

I hope they were... prepared.

Those kids are someone's children.

[Blissful]

From the news account on Yahoo the scouts and their leaders were heros and they helped their fellow scouts. They were more than prepared. I am glad for that but still so sad for those who died. My hubby (a Scoutmaster) has the PLC and meeting tonight, so this will be a major topic and of course, a moment of silence.

[kanga]

I have had two windows open at the same time and accidentally posted to the wrong thread. I'll give Terrapin the benefity of the doubt here because I really do not think he would be that insensitive.

I did not see tater's deleted post so I can't comment.

I think both posts were subbed before deaths were reported.

--

This is very sad news.

That is sad. I can't imagine how scared those boys must have been. I'll be praying for them and their families.

[McPick]

I hope they were... prepared.

I believe the young men in this Today Show interview will have the last word...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...13439#25113439

[chief]

McPick, thanks for that link.

[Tennessee Viking]

I used to live in Waterloo, now they are having BIG FLOODING problems in Des Moines, Waterloo/Cedar Falls, and Iowa City.

[sheepdog]

I believe the young men in this Today Show interview will have the last word...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...13439#25113439

Some strong sturdy lads. If that's not a plus for scouting nothing is.
Prayers for the families.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

My heart aches for the families who lost their sons. Prayers for them, the survivors and their families. Sadly, major head trauma was mentioned by law enforcement and a scouting executive. I hope the boy(s) recover fully.

[Jason of the Woods]

My thoughts go out to everyone involved. That's horrible.

[Thoughtful Owl]

Regardless of some folks opions of scouts and the BSA, these young men are human beings and as someone pointed out, someone's children. Drills are held in camps (long term camping) within the first 24 hours of being in camp. Some camps do better at these drills than others. These scouts are basically the "cream of the crop" and knew how to respond both during and after this tragic event.

Regardless of your personally feelings our thoughts and prayers should be with the families of the 4 youth that died and with the 48 others that sustained injury.

[STEVEM]

Here's a photo taken earlier this week by an associate of my employer who was traveling for business near Omaha, Nebraska. Pretty scary stuff.

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=25497

[4eyedbuzzard]

Regardless of some folks opions of scouts and the BSA, these young men are human beings and as someone pointed out, someone's children... our thoughts and prayers should be with the families of the 4 youth that died and with the 48 others that sustained injury.

Nicely put.

[Tipi Walter]

140 scouts and scouters were in the camp. a warning was issued 12 minutes prior to the tornado hitting the camp. all persons took shelter in a large building which was completely destroyed. this was a leadership training course for scouts ages 13-18 and scouters from iowa, nebraska, wisconsin and south dakota.

this is reported by the weather channel.

i personally am a bit anxious as i am originally from this area and hope that none of my scouting friends were there?

I saw the news pictures last night and it got me to wondering: Would they have fared better had they stayed spread out in their tents and not clustered in the cinder block building? Probably impossible to say.