It was so sad to hear of these young boys losing their lives in this storm. But it was also great hearing how the survivors got up after it was over, took control, and saved many lives. It seems that their time in the Cub Scouts really taught them to stand in a time of adversity. Kudos to them all!

Cindy...Ga.

I thought last night of the families waiting to hear if their child was safe or not – the anxiety and fear that would have been with them until they knew.....and for those 4 boys the sorrow their parents felt when the news was bad. My thoughts and condolences go out to these families and my admiration for the scouts who survived and tried to help their friends. The courage and presence of mind they showed was inspiring.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Am from Lincoln Nebraska and a former scouter until last year. I also volunteer in the area of disaster. Last summer I wrote and received a grant to futher their education in triage, light search and rescue, fire suppression, CPR etc. The program was called CERT (Community Emergency Response Team).. It enhanced their Emergency Prepareness and First Aid badges. The scouts from Omaha were not part of this program but they have taken the same type of training. I am so proud them not just because they are scouts but because they did what we all need to do-help one another. Let this be an example of human kindness, of determination, compassion, of survival. Of course my heart goes out to all the individuals and families. I know first hand how as a parent I was scared when my son was at scout camp and storms arose. Also as a leader being in a couple myself with cubs. Scouts are prepared–it's their motto.

Such devastating news, indeed. This seems to be the year of natural disasters, but it is encouraging to know that in great adversity people, young and old alike, are able to pull together and help one another.

This story made me stop and be very still. I want the families and the community to know that my heart goes out to them. I pray that they will find comfort in God's love as he give them strength through this very dramatic and person storm of life.

What were the leaders/organizers of this scout event thinking??
Why would they not cancel this scout outing for another time?

It was obvious to me that the weather was a threat and I live in Canada.

It sounds like they didn't make a very smart decision.

I would like to know where is our National Gaurd to help these people in the mid-west? Where is our President? Why is our goverment not there helping these people? Did we learn anything from Kitrina?

Those scouts really were showing their skills when they protected themselves ( is that in the scout handbook?) they probably got their badges

As a scouter I am proud of the skills these boys show. I am sadden by the death of four young men who could have greatly contributed to our society.
Scouts often gets a bad rap - ok it is not sports but these boys knew how to save lives and protect themselves. Let give them the respect they deserve. A friend of my son would not let his school mates know he was receiving his eagle award because he was embarrassed. How sad. Perhaps a uniform change to polo shirts might keep boys involved and away from the unfair comments of their peers.

I hiked the Himalayas for a month and my scouting skill were a major player. I am an eagle scout and proud of it

Heroes, one and all. Great to hear about youth triumphing over adversity, when the media paints them all in such a negative light. This story should be on the front page of every paper in the nation. Great work, guys, and I'm very sorry about your friends. May they rest in peace.

Rob drew upon his courage to tell the story and we are really proud of him for doing so!
Years ago I was a leader for the Cub Scouts ..it was a joy to be a part of it....I still remember the absolute pride of the boys marching in parades...it's been nearly 20 years now and those boys are exceptional young men now.
God tells us there is a time for everything...it may not seem fair, make sensem and hurt real bad....but there is a purpose.. In reading about these young boys in various news groups it tells me they lived more than some adults have in their lifetime.. Please know, our nation, particulary those of faith, grieve with you and we celebrate their lives with you . .I show some substaining words with you. Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, Everything passes away except God. God alone is sufficent. Have peace. 1Thess.4:13,14

why did the scouts camp did not move away from approaching tornado?

A Scout is:
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent

Ideals that we all could benefit from if we lived lived our life by these 12 principals. So sad for the loss. From this they will gain strength.

Living just an hour south of the scout camp, I followed the breaking news as this was happening. So emotional for the reporters, rescue workers, sheriffs, Boy Scout spokesmen before they could even get to the scouts. It took a good hour to clear the way in so emergency vehicles and personnel could even get to them! It must have seemed like days. And for the parents waiting to hear something, anything, it must have been unbearable.
After losing Dish TV, I couldn't turn the computer off until the wee hours of the morning. I watched two news conferences before we were told the parents would be told where their children were. They had to coordinate lists: injured and uninjured, fatalities, who was at which hospital. They wanted no mistakes made.
I prayed for all of us. Each of us was and continue to be affected. But of course, my prayers and thoughts are with those most affected by this loss of lives so young. I pray they all know they did what they could under the circumstances.
To the families and friends, take it a day at a time and God bless you.

Judy IA

I'm so sorry about what happened. I'm a teen myself, and it's sad to hear about good people getting hurt or killed. My heart goes out to their families, and everyone there. I hope everyone learns something from their courage to live helpful life, and to help others in any way that they can. Major props to them all!!!!

I knew that camp almost inside and out. I also staffed that leadership camp nearly two years ago. Being an Eagle Scout I live by the scout oath and law every day. Being prepared is something everyone of us should live by. It's just too bad.

As a former Boy Scout, I am so sad about the loss of the lives of those 4 people. How very sad for their families. But I am proud of the leadership and work of the scouts and their leaders. Boy Scouts is a tremendous organization and provides solid leadership training. It doesn't sound like the people at the camp could have done anything more to prevent what happened. OUr prayers and thoughts will continue to be with those families that lost loved ones and those injured.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Scouts and their families. The scouting institution has molded great young men and heros over the last century and today they have once again answered the call to duty and country. America would be better served if our young people lived the morals and principals of Scouting, and its simple;
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

As an Eagle Scout , veteran Scout leader, and former Iowa journalist, I think it is reasonably safe to say this tradegy would have been greatly compounded had it not been for the first-aid training and survival skills learned taught by the Boy Scouts of America. Many of these Scouts and leaders will undoubtedly receive awards of merit for lifesaving, and will be justly honored for their swift action.

Some kids may think Scouting is 'geeky', and that sports are 'cooler', but when it comes knowing not only 'what to do' and 'how to do it' in the event of a disaster or other emergency, a Scout will always be prepared.

My sympathy to each of the families who lost their beloved son.

What a sad thing to happen to the scouts at camp. However, I would expect nothing less of their actions, I have seen so many heros during my time in scouting. As a leader I broke my leg on a fifty mile hike, my scout carried me ten miles to hel, after providing all the necessay emergency medical assistance. Not one of those scouts were over 14. . The training and experiences of the scouting program is designed to produce the leaders of tomorrow, God bless the families of the fallen scouts, my prayers certainly with them.

My God, My God; Please be with these families.
My heart aches for you all.

May God bless those four little souls

Ok....Its day 3 and where is FEMA and the National Guard, Is the another set up for our goverment to fail. Top this-Why do we sit around and wait until the last minute for something to happen. Remember there is a dam getting ready to breach and so are the levies, So what are they waiting for......GOD

So sad to hear, why has not presdient bush not have gone out there yet to support the pole in the mid west?

I have 2 Boy Scouts who are on a similar week long scouting trip right now. They like the Iowan Scouts, love scouting. All year long they look forward to Scout Camp. There is such a dedication to earning merit badges, learning first aid, working with compasses, learning survival skills, and the list goes on and on. No other sporting or single class can offer young men as much as the boy scout program does. I commend the leaders of those troops in Iowa. It seems like they took every precaution to keep those young men safe. Thousands of people choose to live in 'tornado alley,' most are fortunate and others are not. It is the luck of the draw where and when a tornado hits. Would others have been as prepared as these Scouts to lend aid and to set up a mini-triage? We all could take a lesson from these Boy Scouts and be as prepared as they were.

My husband is a scoutmaster of about 50 yrs in the midwest. The death of any of his boys would have devastated him & his assiants. The way the other boys took over & handled the injured would have made him so proud. All adults involved in the training of these boys now know they have made a difference in their future. They are shaping the lives of those young men & making them into MEN who can handle anything life throws at them.