Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A Video Game Pin? Seriously??

Looks like the Cub Scouts have given up. They now offer a Belt Loop Award for Playing Video Games. Are they NUTS?!?! What genius came up with this idea? The ENTIRE concept of Scouting is to get off your ass and get out in Nature and explore, learn, and experience new things OUTSIDE.

What's next? A Belt Loop or Merit Badge for Watching TV? I wonder what the requirements of that one would be?

Requirements for Sit On Your Ass and Watch TV

Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may complete requirements in a family, den, pack, school, or community environment. Tiger Cubs must work with their parents or adult partners. Parents and partners do not earn loops or pins.


Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

  1. Explain why it is important to have a rating system for TV Shows. Check your TV Shows to be sure they are right for your age (most probably aren't but that's ok, all your friends watch them too).
  2. With an adult, create a schedule for you to do things that includes your chores, homework, and Sitting On Your Ass Watching TV. Do your best to follow this schedule.
  3. Learn to Sit On Your Ass and Watch TV with a show that is approved by your parent, guardian, teacher, or is really popular at school so you don't fall behind the social curve.

Academics Pin

Earn the Sit On Your Ass and Watch TV belt loop and complete five of the following requirements:

  1. With your parents, create a plan to watch a TV show that is right for your age group
  2. Compare two TV Shows (for example, Spongebob Squarepants, iCarly, Ben 10 and so on). Explain some of the differences between the two. List good reasons to watch the show
  3. Gather and prepare snacks and beverages for consumption while sitting on your ass watching TV
  4. Teach an adult or a friend how to sit on their ass and watch a TV Show
  5. List at least five tips that would help someone who was watching a TV Show keep from spilling their snacks in the Sofa Cushions
  6. Sit on your ass and watch a TV Show with a friend for one hour
  7. Watch a TV Show that mentions math, science, or physical education at least once in the show (NOTE: The actors don't have to actually do any of the listed topics, just mention them).
  8. Choose a TV Show DVD Season Set you might like to purchase. Compare the price for it at three different stores. Decide which store has the best deal. In your decision, be sure to consider things like the distance to the store and availability of close parking to prevent too much walking
  9. With an adult's supervision, hook up a DVR so you can have lots of TV Shows archived to sit on your ass and watch later
I mean seriously? Is this what Scouting has become?

1 comment:

  1. Well put my friend. I've been involved with scouting for the last 35 years, since I was 8 years-old. What upsets me most is when they reach out too much for the lowest common denominator. IMHO, the entire Varsity scout program is just an attempt to grab the kids who don't care about scouts, would rather be playing sports, but didn't make the school team.
    Scouting has a lot of great aspects. Clearly the video game belt loop is not one of them.

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