We must remember, all of us have and continue to do stupid things, at least know I have and will likely to continue to do so. It is not the fault of the child, if he was not provided the appropriate guidance or if he or she has some minor or major developmental disability preventing him or her from taking the most appropriate course of action in a particular situation. If, as I suspect, Brennan has some developmental or emotional disability, he should not be prevented from enjoying and learning about the outdoors, but must do so under closer supervision or with a different form of instruction or guidance.

Being associated with Girl Scouts for the past 15 years, I am all too well familiar with parents who fail to provide the Leaders/Assistants with adequate health information (physical, emotional and mental) regarding their child in fear that they will be negatively labeled. In many cases having this information and a caring and wise Leader will allow for changes to accommodate or present information in a different manner. Thus allowing the child to be a participant in beneficial activities and can be done so, safely.

Pete