Not all the photos have gone. Not sure what my stance is on that but I understand your concern Phil

No I don't have a problem with enjoying the site it may only be me but I was only thinking along the lines of why you're not allowed to take photos or film your children's school performances. Their safety nothing else :~

I agree :~☹

I think this site has gone mad Outdoor Duo is a DATING and friendship site for outdoor enthusiasts. People interested in walking, climbing, mountaineering, skiing, canoeing, sailing, and cycling.
no family stuff mentioned here

This site started off with no rules and none have ever been put in place.This is why we have arrived at this point.It's not the site that has gone mad it's some of the people who are now joining who are creating the madness.The sensible early members of this site have become victim's of their own success.

I have no idea what the infant photo thing is about .. but as for some members arranging a family walk I don't see the problem.

It's dating or friendships and friendships involves finding about peoples lives, their children. Most of the people on here seem above a certain age and juggle childcare along with getting out and what better way of encouraging children to explore the beautiful places we all love too. Walk leaders can specify whether children are able to come or just simply say family walk in the invite.

I think these discussions have sparked off maybe a need for a new site for hardcore serious walkers, where only serious pics are posted etc

I didn't see the infant photograph so can't comment on that.
On the general point of should young children join in on walks, not a problem for me. There was a 'young lady, who joined in on Remembrance Sunday weekend and was a joy to see her skip up Great Gable. As I recall her Dad did ask before if it was ok to bring her. The picture of her looking at the plaque at the top of Great Gable was well received and one of my favourite pictures of the weekend.
However I do think that if anyone is planning to bring their children on a walk then should check with the Invite organiser first.

i found this for those interested
🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

Single Parent Dating

Online dating for parents, is an ideal way for single parents to meet each other and build relationships! Browse for potential friends and partners from the safety of your own home, without having to juggle children and babysitters - get to know other single mums and dads at your own pace.

don't get me wrong, I have a four year old daughter and a 12 year old son, but I do other things with them

CW 🙂🙂🙂🙂 we must be due a meet up and some good old adult conversation🙂🙂🙂
Good point by you and Sprite...if for adults only then say on the invite.

Batman: everyone is entitled to an opinion new or old so don't be reluctant. As fresh air said there were no rules when this first started and if you read the forward written by site admini I think his intention was very clear but as we have all mentioned, change occurs as and when people reconsider their positions. I guess if Site Admin doesn't like any direction the site is going in then it's up to him to redefine the boundaries. I personally think it's a shame that voicing one's opinion "appears" to be leading to stubborn arguing. I hope this statement doesn't lead to more defensive comments as it isn't meant as anything other than an unemotional observation

I also wanted to add that the most enduring beauty of this site is its welcoming friendliness. I hope we never loose that!

Smooze :- change is a constant thing,It doesn't always mean it's for the best,but we can try it to see if it get's us to a better place then make a judgement.🙂
Sprite :-the Old saying goes why fix something thats not broken.This site has worked well until recently.🙂
Jw I know like me you do outdoor things with your kids.If we didn't how else would they learn or see
that there is something more to life than TV,Internet & Xbox etc.

I am totally in favour of encouraging children to join in on walks, so long as it is within their capabilities. My two granddaughters walk regularly but I would never be irresponsible and post inappropriate (ie. portrait) photos of them on a web site open to the world to view.

Cat:- great to see more things going on down "sarf" which makes things easier with travel etc.
Children can add to any situation but they can also be a huge distraction.
Johnny :- If all the female's with children left the site and whent to Single Parent Dating Would you Follow ????

Smooze:- I used the word "sensible" because there was a respect and a air of common sense with the early members.You could possibly say that we were all on the same wavelength and were seeking similar things.Something which had no resemblance to facebook twitter Or POF.

Hillmale, maybe you're right, Iwill be looking for a more tolerant and friendly site for people who just want to get outdoors and enjoy themselves and don't have the capabilities of climbing mountains and 30 mile hikes. It certainly doesn't seem so friendly and welcoming of late.

btw, hope you had a great birthday yesterday 🙂

I have taken my 'boys' the youngest was 12 at the time on several 'day' walks with OD, they have got so much out of it and all the OD members have gone out of their way to talk to them and make them feel welcome and as Fresh Air say's show them there is more to life than Facebook and xbox.
However I wouldn't take them on a weekend invite.

Sprite:- This site is tolerent and friendly site
and is for people who want to get outdoors and enjoy
themeselves,Hopefully that will never change.What has changed is the amount out of stuff on the site
which has nothing to do with this and can become annoying.

Batman: whats fwb?

My hope for this site is that it doesn't loose what made it special in the first place. Whether you joined this week or 4 years ago it should be about meeting up and enjoying the outdoors with fun, laughter and respect along the way. Like most members I can honestly say that it has changed my life. Hope it continues to be a success and for me that means as far removed from Facebook and Twitter as poss.🙂

fresh air: of course not, im sure there will still be plenty of "activities" on this site

Smooze: whats "friends with benefits"?

Smooze: OMG ive just found out what it means, ya cant put things like that on a family site!!!

Ahhhh so it wasnt just me that has noticed the recent change then looking at this thread. Its funny that the guard who generally say very little have all come out unanimously nearly to sing from the same hymn sheet, a point for some new to this wonderful site to notice and possibly ponder over. If people wish to drag this site to the bottom dwelling levels of Facebook, Twitter, Plenty of Fish etc then it will be a sorry day. I posted a while back a thread whos gist was for people to just literally think before posting something. This fell for the most part on deaf ears and so the gibberish continues and its mainly new people shouting their mouths off with opinion.

Most people would slowly enter a new venture and ease themselves in gradually, but not it seems some who have caused the site to lose some of its welcome, light hearted banter and general good feeling.

Rourky: hear hear

fresh air: I don't think the single parent members on this site will leave just because of a few opinions, obviously children are welcome on the walks and it is the sole responsibility of the parent to make sure they stay safe

Smooze I dont feel you should really be making that kind of individual comment, this isnt the place for a childish slagging match. If you feel MY OPINION was aimed at you then please do one of the following, (1) either message me directlty, unless as said in a previous thread, you are indeed in that group thats craving attention (2) come out on a walk and enjoy the day, company and discuss any differences or (3) ponder any actions/behaviours that might fall into this category if you feel the need too.

I've been giving this thread a bit of thought and must confess that its a hard call....
Most of my adult life has been involve in getting kids to participate in physical activities... so kids experiencing the mountains and developing the love that we all have is a win situation for me!!!
And I can see how it helps single parents... get out and have a life... yep I'm one of them !!

But.... as Cat said we do have adult conversations on these walks and my sense of humour is fairly sexual...so do I want to be looking over my shoulder to check that my language is age appropriate every ten seconds.....hell no.
So why can't we compromise and if anyone wants to organize kid friendly walks great.

At no point have i said otherwise, but again another example of my point!

But it would be good to post it as one so we can make a decision to attend or not.

If an invite isn't posted it is the organisers decision that it is an inappropriate walk for kids..

Ohhh Friends with benefits.....Its a "bonk buddy"

No commitment... just concentrating adult fun.. hope that helps....lol

ooops... that should have read "consenting"...

If the site has no rules or firm directive's now it has grown so large then it will fall into a state of chaos.It seem's to have gone passed the point of self regulation.I dont buy into the I pay my money I can say or do what i want philosophy.100% Children should be encouraged to get outdoors without a doubt.Members walk with there children,they also walk with there dog's, will we have walks in the future with 30 members, 20 children & 12 dogs ?????? Who knows someone might even bring a goat if they have one:~

In France people walk their pet ferrets on a lead.

Philtheetiler: We northeners prefer to transport them down our trousers!

RuthieA: ya children?

Johnny: Ferrets!

😀😀

Bloody hell what's going on here!!!If people want to do a 5 mile walk,take there kids or do a 20 mile yomp its fine.As long as it specifies on the invite who is going and what type of walk its going to be I don't see a problem.I personally like the long,tougher walks that's my choice.So I wouldn't choose a short walk or one with lots of children.There is something for everyone on here.Lets not ruin this site with constant forums with people bickering all the time.

Hi Ally & UltraDC.In August last year you may remember a similar thing started on the forums with constant bickering, statements being made which were totally false and general nastiness.
Site admin eventually stepped in and the main person involved was removed from the site.
What if this becomes a regular thing ?
Without direction people tend to do as they please.
I'm sure there are some improvements that can be made quite easily, maybe it's time for site admin to step in and sort this out once and for all.

There does seem to be a fine line between good natured banter and nasty bickering. And I get enough of the later elsewhere :~

Think there are two different discussions going on here.
Should children come on the walks? surely this is down to the Invite organiser and then the parent.

The other issue which has appeared here and on several other threads recently is....do we want to turn into a Facebook/twitter style site or go back to how it was a few years ago.

fresh air: After the problem on site last August the member in question made her own decision to leave the site, most of us were relieved at the calm afterwards.
I don't feel we need a voting station, there is healthy debate on here most of the time & at the end of the day Site Admin should be the one policing an issue as important a photos of children.Photos of any event including children should be the responsibility of the child's parent,whether they are allowed to be posted on here. I fully agree that encouraging children to be out walking & awareness of nature is very important too & if a family event can be organised through the site then that would be a good thing too. 🙂

ive seen comments on invites, 2may I bring a friend2, 2may I bring my dog2, so 2may I bring my children2 is acceptable (in my eyes), but don't get offended when told "no"

ive seen comments on invites, "may I bring a friend", "may I bring my dog", so "may I bring my children" is acceptable (in my eyes), but don't get offended when told "no"

JW: I think you're right 🙂

May I just remind people of Site Admins words
"I started this site in response to a need I perceived when speaking to single "outdoorsy" friends. With one in particular, a keen walker, we were discussing her engagement to a really nice guy she had met locally. Unfortunately he wasn't the "outdoor" type. His idea of sport was a Saturday morning in front of the telly with a beer. It was clear in our conversation that there was an area of her life that was missing from their relationship. When she spoke of the hills she spoke with a note of sadness in her voice, a sound of loss. The story was the same with other friends; they could meet perfectly nice acceptable partners through local friends a

... and activities, but there was always something missing.

Once the Jimmy Savilles of this world find out there is kids pics on here, there'll be a flood of new members

StevieH:-When you joined this very large company did you sign a contract of employment stating if you did not abide by the companys rules and procedures that you could possibly face disciplinary
action or even dismissal ?????
Johnny:-Exactly.Thats why I never post Pic's of my kids online.Some people on here have even made jokes about it.

Sorry...one more thought
If children do start joining in on the walks does that mean they will also want to see the forum and pictures and then read the comments and then perhaps add their own.
Perhaps HM and FA are right.

Good point JW Naturally they would want to. Certainly changes the perspective.

I work for social services and in my opinion it is always dangerous to post any pictures of children on the internet. This is an adult dating and friendship site and you should think very carefully about posting pictures of children. The picture of said child on great gable was in context of the day and was appropriate. Random posting of photos not in context of this site, should not be allowed for the safety of the children.

StevieH:- Its quite a simple point really, you joined a company with rules and a written disciplinary policy,this site has neither,maybe if it did all this nonsense would cease.We managed for over 3 years without them,cant see the site lasting another 3 if we dont get some.

check out the picture section and the voting says it all,
I think we can all agree on that

We are talking about children, not supposed to be acting like them. As adults on this site surely we can act accordingly and self police. There are already far too many rules and regs in the world today.

Philthetiler:- We did for along time and it worked.
But who decides whats appropriate and whats not?
This is were the problem lies.

The larger an organisation gets, the harder it is to self regulate, that much is obvious.

However, can we not all just get involved in the events/discussions/pictures that interest us, and ignore the ones that don't???

simples 🙂

Posting a family friendly outing shouldnt be an issue. As Sarah said if not for you then don't respond. Everyone's circumstances are different and this site surely is adult enough to recognise that. But we mustn't forget that it is an adult site and maybe using a child's photo to advertise a walk is not the most appropriate thing to do.

Paul 0712: I agree in principle, but be careful.🙂Pear Drop (Sarah68(Sarah)): well said🙂🙂🙂🙂

Maybe I have been the cause of this problem. I am a single dad taking my 2 kids for a walk and posted a photo of my 5 year old son at Beacon Fell on an invitation for a walk in the Brecon Beacons. Didn't think it would offend anyone and would make it obvious the walk would be slow and with kids. Must own up that I never thought about Jimmy Saville types. I will be more careful in the future and if everybody is really unhappy will not post any more photos of my children walking with me. The last thing I want to do is to upset people. Life is too short for o

Continued.....this problem but I will agree not to post any more photos of my kids if it causes anger and bickering amongst the members. I really apologise it was done with innocence and all the shots were on walks we had done not portraits taken in the house. Love to you all. Syd

Outdoor man: my concern was one of safety only, not of being offended. Its a sad world if anyone is offended by photos of any children enjoying the great outdoors. But as OD is advertised as an adult dating site and anyone can view any invites or pictures we put on we do need to take care what we post. Not just photos of our children but other personal details like tel. numbers, address details etc. This isn't a new issue and maybe Paul is right about a paywall

Cheers morningdawn thanks for your concern and maybe I have been a little foolish. I was looking at the site as a group of friends interested in walking and stopped considering this as a dating site many moons ago and posted tbe photos as a record of our trips mainly for myself and to get a few comments and maybe even the odd vote. Didn't consider the possibility of perverts looking at snapshots of my kids out walking. Well for now I will sleep on this one and write a new message tomorrow. Night night xx

morningdawn: Paul0712: The paywall exists, membership!
Private details can be sent by personal messages and photos can be added to ones profile.
These facilities are only available for paid up members to use and view.

Paul 0712: Alternatively, if you are genuinely that concerned do not post photos of children.

At the present moment I am sure that i will not upload full face photos/portraits of my kids on here but am considering uploading them near waterfalls, in forests on mountains etc when on walks with me. However, this has not been decided yet and I will wait to hear from members. I am using this as a walking site to meet mates(no pun intended) but I do realise some people use it as a dating site. also i completely understand that members would not like shots of kids/ grandkids at home making it like fb. I feel I will upload scenes and landscapes with the odd snap of me and the kids of each trip. If you feel this is OK I will continue. If not let me know. Take Care Syd

Just to stress any pics now uploaded the main focus will be the views not my kids, but i would like to include the odd shot of us. If i post an invitation for a short walk I will state that my kids are coming so people that want to avoid walking with kids can do so and I will post a picture of a scene or my ugly mug. I know it is a dating site therefore any lusty female walkers are welcome to join us but you will have to wait until the kids are asleep. It will either finish me off but at least I will die with a smile on my face or give me an extra boost to fight for survival. No more than 3 at the same time please. Bye for now