Boy Scouts of America > Cub Scouts > Awards > Boys > Video GamesYep. Cub Scouts can earn not only belt loops but activity pins for Video Games. I'm conflicted on this one. On the one hand, it saddens me that we're stooping to this in order to hand the boys a "gimme" badge that they call can earn without actually doing anything - here are the requirements for the belt loop:
- Explain why it is important to have a rating system for video games. Check your video games to be sure they are right for your age.
- With an adult, create a schedule for you to do things that includes your chores, homework, and video gaming. Do your best to follow this schedule.
- Learn to play a new video game that is approved by your parent, guardian, or teacher.
On the other hand, it's a belt loop and pin I know TheBoy will earn...
That is all.
Thanks to Eseell for sending the link to my attention - he then promptly made me feel old by wishing they'd had this when he was a Scout. I had to mention that the only game they had when I was a Scout was "Pong"...
6 comments:
I'm not conflicted in any way on this one . . . as an EAGLE SCOUT, I call Bravo Sierra of the highest order. I had to work HARD to earn my merit badges. Scouting, whether cub scouts or boy scouts, is supposed to be about physical activity, strengthening of mind & body, individual character development, etc. It is *not* supposed to be about droning away on some CPS (Couch Potato Syndrome) inducing activity. Video gaming badge, indeed. Harumph.
- Brad
Wii Fit. GREAT workouts, GREAT balance games that are fun & also beneficial.
I can't add much more than Brad, but, dang! At least the pin has some pseudo-sensible requirements (evaluate system, installation, bargain shopping)even if there are not enough for all five requirements to be sensible.
I wonder how long until the Boy Scouts get to this level of stupidity. Oh well, it doesn't make a difference. Most of the scouts already know I expect more than the other SM's so I doubt I'd be getting many applications for this.
Andrew
When I was a Cub Scout, we had the NES and Atari 2600.
I see this as a sign of Scouting getting with the times. Encouraging children to understand the ESRB rating system, system installation, and how to make comparisons between products and make a purchasing decision with limited resources are useful skills for a lot of kids today, and will be for the rest of their lives.
Electronic entertainment isn't going away and while I bet a lot of the parents of my generation wished that we would outgrow video games, that didn't happen. It's also not going to happen for most of the children growing up with them today so they need to learn how to use them responsibly and in moderation.
From what I remember, one of the chief benefits of Cub Scouting, compared to Boy Scouting, was the higher level of parental involvement. I'm glad this award is at the Cub Scout level because video gaming is one aspect of children's lives where parents need to be heavily involved, and if Scouting can help bring that to light then more power to them. It's not helpful for Scouting to keep its head in the sand on this issue.
I'll just say that I kind of wish my parents hadn't let me spend so much time sitting in front of a screen. Nowadays I regret all that lost time...
On the plus side, they also added a merit badge for geocaching. I think that is a *great* fit for 21st century scouting.
Post a Comment