Cub Scouts giving Video Gaming Pins?

[River_Rat_459]

WTF? :!: :!: When I was in cub scouts, we were fortunate if we had the Atari 2600. And we sure as a hell didn't get any awards for playing it. We were in cub scouts so we could get OUT of the house!

From the CNN SciTech Blog

SciTechBlog
April 28, 2010
Cub Scouts to offer video gaming pin
Posted: 12:42 PM ET

Cub Scouts: The term conjures images of kids doing stuff outside – hiking amid nature, tying knots or identifying which leaf will leave you scratching if used for the wrong purpose.

Well, times have changed. In a move that may horrify old-school former Scouts, the Boy Scouts of America has announced it will offer two awards – a pin and a belt loop – to boys who spend hours playing video games.

Yes, that’s right. Just picture a group of 8- to 10-year-olds huddled around not a campfire but a TV, that glowing box of complacency.

Apparently these new awards are geared toward making Scouts understand which games are appropriate for their age group, not just rewarding them for sitting around on their butts playing video games. Scouts also can work towards their pin by playing a video game that "helps you in your schoolwork."

But you still have to wonder if this isn’t a misguided attempt by the Cub Scouts to stay relevant by pandering to boys’ interests. Seems to me the Scouts should be getting kids outside and teaching them practical skills beyond the bubble of their everyday lives instead of how to read the back of a video game box.

It reminds me of some “Star Trek” episode where a civilization has become so reliant on technology that they have no practical know-how and can’t fix it when it breaks - picture Picard MacGyvering a computer with a paper clip so the planet doesn’t explode.

Those of you who were in the Scouts, what’s your take on this? Should today’s Cub Scouts be rewarded for playing video games? What badge or award were you most proud of earning?

[MaximusR3]

i also read about this subject this morning on Gamepro and thought WTF? i never was in scouts but i wished i could have been but not so i could play video games. I could already do that whenever i wanted, i wanted to do seemingly cool stuff, outdoors type stuff i didn't get to do normally.

Being knowledgeable about video games hasn't often been a trait that organizations reward children for having. The Boy Scouts of America are changing that by adding Tiger, Cub, and Webelos Scout awards for video game-related tasks.

Today's adults who may have been a part of the Cub Scouts during their youth probably remember engaging in activities like crafts, community service, and camping in order to earn the necessary merit badges to proceed to higher levels within the organization. Now, today's Tiger, Cub, and Webelos Scouts can use their knowledge of gaming for good and receive awards for it.

Scouts can earn a belt loop award for succeeding in the following three tasks--explain the importance of a video game rating system while checking the ratings of your games; creating a scheduling that balances chores, schoolwork, and gaming; and learning to play an adult-approved game.

An academic pin in gaming can be earned by completing five of the following nine tasks--creating a plan to purchase an age appropriate game; comparing gaming systems and determining reasons for purchase; playing a tournament with family members; teaching an adult or friend to play a game; list five tips to help someone to learn how to play your favorite game; play an appropriate game with a friend for an hour; play an educational game; compare prices and return policies for a game at three different stores; and install a game system while supervised by an adult.

http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/215 ... ted-deeds/

[saviger]

The badges I was most proud of where: Making a Fire, Riflery and Archery. Video games!?!? WTF indeed.

[Eahkavlar]

Congrats timmy on your 100th head shot on Halo:



BOOM HEAD SHOT

[DaCajun]

Congrats timmy on your 100th head shot on Halo:



BOOM HEAD SHOT

Doubt he's picking on our very own Timmy_2_Tones but he just has that name that just begs to be picked on constantly.

[MaximusR3]

indeed, i think timmy and johnny are the best names for jokes and making fun of


oh and billy, that's a good one too