Boy Scouts of America introduce video game belt loop and academics pins

by Ben Gilbert on Apr 29th 2010 1:30AM

We were hoping that earning a merit badge in "video games" would involve something a bit more video gamey than explaining "why it is important to have a rating system for video games," or working to create "a schedule for you to do things that includes your chores, homework, and video gaming." But that's exactly what the Boy Scouts of America requires of its young padawans to get a belt loop in the subject. Well, in fairness, you also have to "play a new video game that is approved by your parent, guardian, or teacher." Finally, some actual game playing!

For the Tiger, Cub, and Webelos Scouts looking for something a bit more daring, the more prestigious academics pin can be earned by jumping through several more elaborate hoops (as well as requiring the aforementioned belt loop). Five out of nine potential requirements must be completed, with one that involves a bit of practice in critical writing. "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." Presumably, writing "I like PS3 the best cuz Wee and 360 R teh suxxorz" isn't an acceptable comparative essay. Aspiring Scouts can peep the whole list of requirements for each real life Cheevo just after the break.

[Via Engadget]

To earn a 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.

To earn an academic pin, scouts must complete five of the following nine options (in addition to completing the three previous belt loop challenges):

With your parents, create a plan to buy a video game that is right for your age group.
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.
Play a video game with family members in a family tournament.
Teach an adult or a friend how to play a video game.
List at least five tips that would help someone who was learning how to play your favorite video game.
Play an appropriate video game with a friend for one hour.
Play a video game that will help you practice your math, spelling, or another skill that helps you in your schoolwork.
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.
With an adult's supervision, install a gaming system.

Source

Tags: academics-pin, belt-loop, boy-scouts-of-america, cub-scouts, Microsoft, Nintendo, real-life-achievements, tiger-scouts, webelos-scouts, Wii, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (66)

Yes, you could say that they have received "public funding". However, it is not in the sense that you are trying to imply. Now, I am sure that you will correct me if you feel I am wrong, but if I read your article correctly, it is the charter partners that are receiving the tax payer's money. Some of that money then goes to the Troop, Pack, Post or crew that organization is chartering. That is not the same thing as directly receiving said money. http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/Funding.aspx

As for my "intolerance of other beliefs", the Boy Scouts accept over 38 different beliefs, and Scouting as a whole as always, at least in America, has included God or a higher power as part of our beliefs. And I am not intolerant of anybody. This is the policy of National, and it has been this way in one way or another since the organization began. And no, I would not be furious. I would find something constructive to do with my time rather than insulting and bad-mouthing something that I don't even completely understand.

Private groups are allowed to exclude people. But the bsa have received special consideration from the government. The boyscouts didn't always deny non-believers. And claiming your not intollerant because you accept everyone as long as they believe in God is the same as the KKK saying they are not intollerant because they accept everyone as long as they're white.

@ joeman,

No, the Boy Scouts have not always denied atheists or agnostics, however, it has always been our policy to be reverent. Yes, you are right, it was around 30 - 40 years ago I believe when it was officially decided to restrict it, but it is not a new idea. And I don't appreciate being compared to the KKK. The Scouts do not attack or persecute anybody who does not agree with our ideals. And if you do not believe in higher deity, find another program to join. Why does it bother you so much anyway? We are a private group, we are allowed to make our own rules, regardless of however much some people think that the federal government makes allowances for us.

I wonder if it makes the cool PS3 Trophy noise when they complete the requirements...

Technically these aren't merit badges, they're activity pins for Cub scouts. MBs are for Boy Scouts (13+)

Whatever anyone may think of Scouting, I still think this is cool. I doubt that we will see any sort of actual Merit Badge for Games within the Boy Scouts, seeing as how all of the "evil" video games are made more for Boy Scout age kids. Just think, eventually video games will be accepted mainstream, just like TV and Radio. Probably. At some point. Maybe.

This whole conversation about the BS being bigots and homophobes, discriminating against aethists and gays is ridiculous. They have every right to discriminate against admitting these groups because they are a private organization. And, since they don't allow girls to join, you could very well say that they discriminate against women too. The BS doesn't allow girls to join, and the Girl Scouts doesn't allow boys to join. Thats discrimination too folks, but nobody has a problem with that. There's a double standard here that everybody has apparently missed.

I am a former BS, I loved my experience in the organization, and my two little boys will as well.

Thank you. I did not mean to turn this into a discussion on "discrimination" matters. (You may have noticed that I enjoy using quotation marks. Oh well.) I believe that everybody is entitled to their opinion, regardless of what that opinion is.

I have a question since we are on the topic of religion. Why can we not tax organized religions? They hold so much land and earn so much money while the rest of the country is in desperate need of funds, doesn't seem right.

All I'm asking is why not tax religion to alleviate our current economic woes?

(btw I'm asking from an economic perspective I don't care if you believe in the flying meatball)

Churches and religious institutions aren't taxed under the principle that there is no surer way to destroy the free exercise of religion than to tax it. This stance is supported by the Supreme Court.
Read up...
http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-oew-lynn-stanley23-2008sep23,0,2226105.story

@MMLgamer
1. I agree. You are molded by those you surround yourself with. This happens all the time with your friends, your co-workers, your family. Homosexuality is no different. Its a behavior that can be learned. Also, people without a positive male role model in their youth are more suceptible to homosexuality later on.

2. Not sure if I agree with this. I think the level of promiscuity across both demographics is high, especially people in their youth.

3. I agree. Even if homosexuality occurs in the natural world, the behavior itself does not make sense biologically. In rough terms, your penis's primary function is for procreation. Most would argue that the secondary benefits trump procreation, but biologically speaking thats not true.

Man I feel like a nerd.

@MMLgamer

No.

Homosexuality is NOT a choice. You don't decide to be straight; you don't decide to be gay. All of your statements are extremely baseless.

OK, but I could just as easily say that your comments are baseless. There are many cases of people supposedly born homosexual, but then through counciling convert to heterosexuality. If you can be conditioned/taught to become heterosexual, can't you likewise become homosexual too? Makes sense to me. Besides, why does it matter so much if homosexuality can be a learned behavior? Why does everybody get all fussy about that?

Why does everybody get all fussy about it? BECAUSE IT'S NOT TRUE. Homosexuality is NOT a learned behavior. I hate how people think that heterosexuality is automatically the norm, and anything that derives from that is obviously a learned behavior.

You can't teach someone who is gay to become heterosexual. You might be able to brainwash someone to only practice heterosexual conduct... but you cannot change their desires. Why don't you ask gay people themselves? Every single one says that they chose to be homosexual the same time straight people chose to heterosexual. Which is, of course, NEVER.

@smockers
Of course homosexuals will tell you that they were born homosexual because if they told you they weren't their whole cause would come crashing down. Don't you understand? They have a horse in the race, money in the game, etc. Its in their own interest to further this bullshit idea that people are born homosexual because they stand to reap a bigtime payout in so-called "rights". They have an agenda, just like any political party. Sure, many gays believe they were born that way, but how can you quantifiably say major life events when you are 2, 3, 4, 5 years old won't change you in fundamental ways for the rest of your life? The beginning years are the most critical - any pediatrician will tell you that. Studies have shown that people can "become" homosexual if conditioned that way. Acting and thinking homosexual is a behavior - you can't dispute that.

Now go ahead and shout me down, cuss me out, make fun of me. Its the only way you people know how to "win".

@Fermie Prime

You're saying all of the many homosexuals out there were just INFLUENCED to be gay.

Wow.

You're really stupid.

Let me ask you this: why in the hell would someone want to choose to live a lifestyle that is looked down upon by all of their peers, society, and basically every religion? A society that doesn't accept that these people are perfectly normal?

Also, please give me an example of an incident that would happen to a homosexual when they're 2-5 years old to influence them to be gay. Thanks. And where did you pull that fact about how studies show that people can become gay? Out of your ass? Thought so.

Previous 50 Comments

Boy Scouts of America introduce video game belt loop and academics pins

Reader Comments (66)

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 1:27PM BoyScoutr said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 2:23PM YeshuabenYosef said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 2:38PM BoyScoutr said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 1:08PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 1:43PM 343 Guilty Fart said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 1:49PM BoyScoutr said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 1:55PM Fermie Prime said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 2:15PM BoyScoutr said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 2:46PM mettlekettle said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 3:34PM Fermie Prime said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 5:08PM Fermie Prime said

Posted: Apr 29th 2010 10:55PM Smockers said

Posted: May 5th 2010 11:21AM Fermie Prime said

Posted: May 12th 2010 5:54PM Smockers said

Posted: May 13th 2010 12:43PM Fermie Prime said

Posted: May 21st 2010 12:54AM Smockers said

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