Poll For Younger Peoples Forum

[Sleepy the Arab]

I voted "no" because I am mean.

[YoungMoose]

I voted "no" because I am mean.

lol

[YoungMoose]

alright i guess this idea is shot down. hehe. here a link if any kids are looking for a place to talk.http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php...1855901&ref=mf its called The Appalachian Trail Conservancy for Teenagers

[santa]

alright i guess this idea is shot down. hehe. here a link if any kids are looking for a place to talk.http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php...1855901&ref=mf its called The Appalachian Trail Conservancy for Teenagers

I joined for the heck of it. Don't know how often ill be participating on there.

[YoungMoose]

I joined for the heck of it. Don't know how often ill be participating on there.

it doesnt matter

[YoungMoose]

do u think i should call it whiteblaze for teenagers or appalachian Trail For teeangers

[boarstone]

I voted no for much the same reasons, they have their own sites, I suggest they go to them and set up their own hiking site aimed to the younger set. i think if allowed they would hijack this site as it is....you know how kids and computers can be...

[superman]

do u think i should call it whiteblaze for teenagers or appalachian Trail For teeangers

"Appalachian Trail For Teeangers"

[Bearpaw]

"Appalachian Trail For Teeangers"

I agree. Definitely avoid the term "Appalachian Trail Conservancy". I'm pretty sure it's trademarked for the Trail's maintaining group. "Appalachian Trail For Teeangers" sums it up nicely. Nice photos BTW.

[YoungMoose]

k

[alaska moose]

I voted "Yes", Ok there may be some problems with it but it could encourage youth to hike the AT and/or follow their dreams! They could see that there are teens out there who are so determined to reach a goal.

I started a thread about the same topic ( I did not know Outwardboundbackpack did so also) and many people said "What is diffrent with teen and adult view points?" Well we take everything in diffrently, and well this will give us a chance to talk to other peers about what we love The AT ! Because I know all of my "friends" think I am cazy for wanting to hike 2,175 miles.

That is why I voted yes!

[the goat]

i voted "yes" just to chap everyone elses' ass.

[superman]

Here's the problem as I see it. It's bad enough that the teenagers make me look bad on the ski slopes. They're all happy as they do crazy, silly stuff and if they fall they pop back up grinning like hell and saying stuff I don't even understand. Now you're talking about bringing herds of teenagers up the AT. They'll be all smiley and they won't even sweat. When they find out what a good time they can have hiking they'll send for all their friends. the horror...the horror.

[WalkinHome]

I am not against younger folks having their own hiking forum--I just don't think that WhiteBlaze is the proper place for it (sorry!!!!!!!). My reasons would probably echo the reasons already listed on this thread and on the previous thread concerning this topic. To highlight a few:

--There are many "predators" in the world who might target young people on a young people's forum. WhiteBlaze moderators simply don't have the time or software to watch the forum closely enough and keep predators out. Having a separate "young person's forum" is like drawing a bullseye on the teens. That bullseye WOULD definitely attract predators. (Occasional young people's threads would not be so "attractive" or "obvious" to potential predators.

--Facebook (and similar sites) have better monitoring personnel and better monitoring software to "weed out" potential sexual predators. MySpace has already banned 90,000 known sex offenders and Facebook is attempting to do the same.

--New/additional WhiteBlaze forums are a lot of work--and the members of WhiteBlaze are already debating (on another thread) whether the "Women's Only" forum should be closed. Thus, the majority of people are probably not likely to be in favor of starting an "age-specific" forum.

--You (and other younger hikers) are already able to start specific THREADS on WhiteBlaze regarding young people's issues. Try that approach for a while and see what happens.

I wouldn't take any of my comments as a slap against you or against other young people. AND, I would really encourage you to keep using WhiteBlaze. I voted "no" on the poll because WhiteBlaze simply isn't equipped to deal with all the potential problems that would be associated with a forum that was dedicated to younger hikers.

Ditto - Personally, if a forum is aimed at a particular demographic, I stay out of it unless I qualify. To echo one of Jack's points, if other like minded folks do the same, then those types of forums do not get the benefit of the widespread knowledge that is the heart of WB. I suggest, as others have, to work within the existing framework of WB. Good luck.

[Blue Jay]

I voted yes because your posts are entertaining and remind me of Matthewski's. Keep up the good work.

[JAK]

Since I am actually a dog, in people years I am actually only 6 going on 7. Do I qualify?

[Nightwalker]

The only reason that I voted no is that it makes more work for the mods. They have enough headaches already.

[johnnybgood]

The only reason that I voted no is that it makes more work for the mods. They have enough headaches already.

I have to agree , besides hangin' out with us geezers isn't so bad ....

[puddingboy]

Sorry, Outwardbound I think we are outnumbered.

[ryanwheeler007]

I too vote no... We all need the wisdom of the old men around here, even if they are a bit grumpy! But a forum for stupid questions now that's an idea, god knows I've asked enough of them!