Boy Scouts Introduce Videogame Badge

[Jon Childs]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/boy-scouts-introduce-videogame-badge-other-badges-ask-really/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/...ges-ask-really/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Yes, really. The Boy Scouts of America have finally recognized that most important of modern children's pastimes with the creation of a "Video Games" belt loop and pin. However, our initial excitement on this momentous day is drastically lessened after reading how one goes about earning them."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1272485287.usr486.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>That happy screaming and jumping you are hearing is most likely the sound of my 8 year old celebrating.&nbsp; Being a serious gadget guy I suppose I don't have much room to complain, but isn't Cub Scouts for doing stuff outside?&nbsp; To their credit, the requirements do make the boys create a schedule and only play video games at certain times.&nbsp; I may not have had to walk two miles to school, uphill both ways, in the snow when I was a kid, but I did have to leave the house to earn my scouting badges.</p>

[David Tucker]

Personally I think this is pretty sad.

[Michael Knutson]

Personally I think this is pretty sad.

Oh great, another reason to sit inside and play video games. How about a merit badge for 'going outside?'

[Jason Dunn]

I think it's important that the Boy Scouts remain relevant to kids if they want them to join, so this isn't a bad idea in and of itself - so long as it's not emphasized as being the only badge they should get. :)

[Jon Childs]

Oh great, another reason to sit inside and play video games. How about a merit badge for 'going outside?'

So you mean a merit badge just for Nintendo DS and PSPs :)

[JonnoB]

I think it is a great cub scout (8-10 year olds) belt loop. Kids are going to play games, we know that but this teaches them about responsible playing with the kids learning about budgeting time for the game and understanding the ratings and why it is important to them.

[Hooch Tan]

Looking at the requirements, I have to say that it does not seem that bad. It is not that they are encouraging the playing of videogames, but recognizing that it is a part of a childhood these days. The requirements seem to put boundaries around them and dealing with games responsibly.