First they wouldn't allow openly gays to be leaders (some paranoia about them raping little kids if they admit to being gay, or some bullshit like that).

But now, they're offering a gaming pin! A pin to sit on your ass and play video games.

http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/28/cub-scouts-to-offer-video-gaming-pin/

Quote :

"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."

What next? A flaming pin? A forum pin? A trolling pin?

The boy scouts and cub scouts used to be about getting kids off their ass and outside and teaching them practical techniques (rope tying, starting fires, camping techniques). Admittedly, I was not in boy scouts, but I was in cub scouts when I was a kid. But it's just sad that they're not encouraging kids to sit on their ass to play video games. I don't care if they're "educational" games or not, it goes against what boy scouts was about.

/rant

4/28/2010 4:44:48 PM

they've got to bring in today's youth to maintain membership levels. that often means changing or dying. they chose changing.

4/28/2010 4:46:06 PM

I'm an eagle scout, and this is absolutely ridiculous.

4/28/2010 4:48:48 PM

stupid I say

4/28/2010 4:50:41 PM

It's the Cub Scouts, man. If they just get these kids to not pick their nose and eat what they get out, it's a win.

4/28/2010 4:51:06 PM

Quote :

"A pin to sit on your ass and play video games."

You did not read the requirements for the badge, obviously.

#failthread

4/28/2010 4:51:28 PM

Quote :

"Video Games Requirements 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 video games. Check your video games to be sure they are right for your age. 2. 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. 3. Learn to play a new video game that is approved by your parent, guardian, or teacher. Academics Pin Earn the Video Games belt loop and complete five of the following requirements: 1. With your parents, create a plan to buy a video game that is right for your age group. 2. Compare two game systems (for example, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii, and so on). Explain some of the differences between the two. List good reasons to purchase or use a game system. 3. Play a video game with family members in a family tournament. 4. Teach an adult or a friend how to play a video game. 5. List at least five tips that would help someone who was learning how to play your favorite video game. 6. Play an appropriate video game with a friend for one hour. 7. Play a video game that will help you practice your math, spelling, or another skill that helps you in your schoolwork. 8. Choose a game you might like to purchase. Compare the price for this game at three different stores. Decide which store has the best deal. In your decision, be sure to consider things like the store return policy and manufacturer’s warranty. 9. With an adult’s supervision, install a gaming system. "

4/28/2010 4:53:16 PM

Quote :

"I don't care if they're "educational" games or not, it goes against what boy scouts was about."

he did read it

4/28/2010 4:53:21 PM

The actual requirements:

Quote :

"^^"

Keep in mind this is intended for 7-10 year olds.

[Edited on April 28, 2010 at 4:55 PM. Reason : Agent 0 beat me to it]

4/28/2010 4:54:38 PM

What's Boy Scouts about nowadays besides discriminating against the gays?

Anyway, that reads pretty much exactly like all the other activities I ever did in Scouts. Motherfuckin' learning and explaining the rules of a board game, teaching a game to a friend or family member, playing a game with my family, etc. Same shit, different medium, even with the responsible consumer aspects. Learn how to shop for appropriate games, just like you learned how to shop for groceries.

Unless y'all motherfuckers are fakin' the funk and never actually did anything out of your workbook. Mark-ass motherfuckers just doing Pinewood Derby and shit.

[Edited on April 28, 2010 at 5:02 PM. Reason : ...]

4/28/2010 4:57:18 PM

they still do

4/28/2010 5:00:10 PM

^^ I don't necessarily agree with the anti-gay aspects, but I think most people who were in Scouts would agree it's an overall positive experience.

[Edited on April 28, 2010 at 5:01 PM. Reason : ]

4/28/2010 5:01:03 PM

When I was in Cub Scouts we did shit like camping in the desert, being dropped off on deserted desert islands in the persian gulf for a few days. Hiking 10km across a desert at night, etc. It was fun.

basically everything we did involved sand

[Edited on April 28, 2010 at 5:05 PM. Reason : .]

4/28/2010 5:05:01 PM

Is that how it got in your vagina?

BURN

4/28/2010 5:05:41 PM

I set that up for you.

4/28/2010 5:06:24 PM

My heart wasn't really in it, but it was just too sick to let go.

4/28/2010 5:06:52 PM

I'm an Eagle Scout with 2 Silver Palms, and I don't mind this idea one bit. (Of course, I also teach video game design classes to middle schoolers.)

4/28/2010 5:06:54 PM

Do you still have to learn how to take someone's rectal temperature with your finger to get into the Order of the Arrow or...?

4/28/2010 5:07:55 PM

First they do away with Rabbit Raising and now this?

The Eagle Scout is sad.

4/28/2010 5:08:11 PM

^x8 I agree. That's why despite their anti-gay sentiment, a lot of people didn't pull their kids out of it. Even if the organization was anti-gay, the kids were still getting something positive out of it. They learned how to do stuff that isn't taught in the classroom.

BUT THIS? This is a fucking joke. Agent 0, you're right. That is why they did this. But it's still pitiful. Kids don't need a group to encourage them to play video games, or teach them how to play video games, or even teach them how to hook up an Xbox 360 (which anyone can do). They can, and will do all of that on their own. The group doesn't need to shun video games, but I felt that the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts helped show kids that there is more to just sitting on your ass all day.


[Edited on April 28, 2010 at 5:09 PM. Reason : .]

4/28/2010 5:08:26 PM

Has anyone mentioned the Bonner Boner yet?

4/28/2010 5:08:55 PM

this motherfucker just said "^x8"

just quote a motherfucker

damn

4/28/2010 5:10:24 PM

^ I already had it typed out and what not before the other 8 responses. I didn't feel like quoting at that point.

[Edited on April 28, 2010 at 5:18 PM. Reason : .]

4/28/2010 5:18:06 PM

boyscouts also contributed to the gang problem back in the day

true story

cause they didn't want no black children up in the white troops

4/28/2010 7:35:18 PM

This is the cub scouts.

I don't see how this is any worse than earning a pin/badge for weaving a rainbow colored plastic keychain.

4/28/2010 7:48:41 PM

because lanyards NEVER go out of style. someone's mom always wants one for mother's day

4/28/2010 7:49:44 PM

this is actually a really good idea if for cub scouts

it can teach a kid how to schedule around playing games (something i should have had), how to be frugal about purchasing games, and what games are appropriate for their age

i should have not played splatterhouse at a young age - it really freaked me out

from what i remember getting through cub scouts was really really easy but webelos or whatever was kind of hard ...i really don't know why i quit

need to ask my parents, i never had much of a work ethic

4/28/2010 7:56:16 PM

Scout attitudes tend to reflect the military attitudes in their country. The UK and Canada for example allow gays in the military and their scouts are much more inclusive.

But given that we aren't likely to have Don't Ask Don't Tell on the books much longer (see timeline in link), I imagine attitudes will change more broadly in the following years.
http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=565942&page=8

4/29/2010 4:11:59 AM

interesting

4/29/2010 4:15:59 AM

^x8 I agree.

4/29/2010 7:40:04 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSPCww0JDUQ&feature=related

4/29/2010 7:54:37 AM

Quote :

"Has anyone mentioned the Bonner Boner yet?"

LAWLS

I wonder if it's still there...

4/29/2010 8:15:26 AM

Quote :

"I'm an eagle scout, and this is absolutely ridiculous"

4/29/2010 8:27:04 AM

Quote :

"I'm an eagle scout, and this is absolutely ridiculous"

4/29/2010 9:34:45 AM

Quote :

"I'm an eagle scout, and this is absolutely ridiculous"

4/29/2010 9:36:15 AM