The Scoutmaster blog points out an abstract of a report entitled "Evidence for a fundamental and pervasive shift away from nature-based recreation" by Oliver Pergams and Patricia Zaradic, in their post called Nature Based Recreation in Decline?
After 50 years of steady increase, per capita visits to U.S. National Parks have declined since 1987. To evaluate whether we are seeing a fundamental shift away from people's interest in nature, we tested for similar longitudinal declines in 16 time series representing four classes of nature participation variables:
(i) visitation to various types of public lands in the U.S. and National Parks in Japan and Spain,
(ii) number of various types of U.S. game licenses issued,
(iii) indicators of time spent camping,
(iv) indicators of time spent backpacking or hiking.
The longest and most complete time series tested suggest that typical declines in per capita nature recreation began between 1981 and 1991, are proceeding at rates of –1.0% to –1.3% per year, and total to date –18% to –25%. ...
In conclusion, all major lines of evidence point to an ongoing and fundamental shift away from nature-based recreation.
While I believe that overall they very well may have a point. As our children become more and more sedentary, preferring to spend time in front of the Xbox or Playstation to playing sports the neighborhood kids outdoors, it only makes sense that fewer of them venture outside for recreation once they become adults.
Thus adding yet another reason that Scouting is more important than ever to the boys it serves. Scouting may be a boy's first and only experience with Outdoor Recreation give the facts sited in the report and if our National Parks are to be fully enjoyed by future generations then Scouting needs to hook them on the outdoors and its wonders.
Greetings!
The Heart of America Council and the Venturing Officers Association will be hosting a Lock-in at the GAGE Center in Blue Springs, MO. Events included are High and Low Rock wall climbing, Bump city, trampolines, Inflatable games, High Ropes Course and much more. 
Check out the Jamboree 2010 Promotional video for a little shot of adrenaline. The 100th Anniversary of BSA is not that far off, so start planning for the time of your life!!
Even the most experienced outdoorsman can be injured while exploring the wilderness. Johnson County Med-Act will be conducting a Wilderness First Aid Course that meets BSA Requirements for Wilderness First Aid.
Earn all the requirements for American Heritage or Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge and tour the Truman Library and Museum.
Time is running out to sign up for Five Sites, Five Weeks, Five Thousand Arrowman - the ArrowCorps5 project will be the largest single service project in the history of the Boy Scouts of America and promises to inspire Arrowmen to greater service. HOAC will be attending the June 7-14: ArrowCorps5 Service Project at Mark Twain National Forest, MO. The project fee is $250 per person per week. This does not include travel or personal equipment. Tamegonit Lodge will pay $50 per person, for one National Service Project.
As your unit begins to prepare for its Order of the Arrow Unit Election, the Lodge Executive Committee has assembled a few helpful hints to make your election as successful as possible.