Posted on 07/16/2013 9:44:13 PM PDT by Java4Jay
"We required a level of fitness in order to come to the Jamboree that we haven't required before," McCarthy said. "And that has motivated an enormous return in terms of both kids and adults getting serious about improving their health."
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
“Out of shape kids can’t do that.”
So? I thought the idea of the Scouts was to encourage effort, not ostracize those they deem not worthy. How will a fat kid understand their failure to stay in shape if they are only given tasks they can accomplish as fat kids? Let them go, but expect they must turn around at some point.
Fudgepackers, yes. Chubbies, no.
Harder to give a reach-around, y’know.
Why not, during the year encourage those who need to reclaim their fitness to work toward the ability to do the six mile hike and other physically strenuous activities for the next Jamboree.
I remember Girl Scout camps and church camps and there were plenty of other activities to keep everyone busy. There is no need for the Boy Scouts to be exclusive unless they are totally inept at problem solving.
The problem is lawsuits. Peolpe that are physically unfit injure them selves or have heart attacks and die.
Pandering to the unfit is not necessary.
The problem is lawsuits. Peolpe that are physically unfit injure them selves or have heart attacks and die.
Attempting a six mile hike with, I assume, back packs in the summer heat is a potential suicide mission for someone who is overweight and not used to exercising regularly.
A good adult Scout leader would stagger the adults to monitor the children and any child deemed needing to turn around is staged until more children are also ready to turn around. I’ve done this before in other events and that is how it was done. We knew there would be varying level s of achievements and capabilities and staged adults to guide those that need to back down.
It still gives those kids a sense of trying and the vision of what is needed to succeed. I worked heavily with the DD population years back in summer camps lasting 3 months and we never only let those that could do, we always encouraged those that couldn’t to try and then see for themselves.
That is another good plan. I think this could have been handled differently and have see several good suggestions like yours. People just don’t seem to stop and problem solve these days.
Then you think wrong. The idea of the Scouts is to create productive, self sufficient young men. To toughen them up. There are lots of opportunities for overweight Scouts to participate in activities. But SeaBase and PHilmont have always had weight requirements, and now the brand new, very mountainous, rough terrained Jambo has them too.
Personal Fitness is an Eagle required merit badge for a reason. It would be very difficult for a young boy to complete his PF badge and be more overweight than the current requirements.
“To toughen them up. “
That’s the Army, not the Scouts. I have never seen a tough Scout before.
“Personal Fitness is an Eagle required merit badge for a reason.”
Again, I have never seen a tough Scout. In fact, the ones I have seen have been rather thin and weakly and nerdly looking.
Also, how does one become strong if tossed off activities that encourages toughness? Chicken, egg.
“People just don’t seem to stop and problem solve these days.”
Exactly. No effort on anyone’s part. It is far easier to toss off the kids that might need extra attention.
I think we see the problem differently. I see a kid who's grossly overweight as the problem. When the guys from his troop come back with pictures and stories of zip lines, maybe that'll light the fire under his tail to get in shape.
As for Scouts not being tough, I think many of them would surprise you. They're not all the most athletic kids which may be why some have latched onto Scouting (not being involved in varsity sports has given them time to pursue Scouting), but they are tough. My wife likes to joke that when the bomb hits, it's the Boy Scouts and the cockroaches who will survive.
Zip lines are only for tough kids? Really? Then you’ll need to explain why they are tourists attractions all over the world and plenty of older, fat, all kinds of out of shape people have enjoyed them.
Again, the Scouts are for developing children into responsible young adults, not for only taking the best of breed-the easy and lazy way out for the adults.
It's obviously not just the zip line. It's the six mile steep inclined hike. It's whitewater rafting, dirtbiking, rockclimbing, skateboarding, kayaking, and a host of other activities - all of which the boys have to hike the mountainous terrain to get to. I mentioned the zip line because it's the one about which my grandson was most excited.
You know you talk about the lazy adults, but what about the kids? Have they no responsibility? You would be hardpressed to find an otherwise healthy young man who completes his Personal Fitness merit badge who wouldn't meet the weight requirement.
Again, the weight is the problem. Boy Scouting would be a great program for an overweight individual. It's all about learning skills, optimizing self, and goal setting and achieving.
You're right, seeing others rock climb, zip line is exactly the kind of motivation that I think scouting could provide.
Self discipline and self control are part of the Boy Scout training. Good stuff for someone who needs some motivation.
I know Boy Scouts are tough! Budding Eagle scout in my family and your wife is correct, Boy Scouts will be thriving if it hits the fan!
Our grandson called in again last night. To give you an idea of his fitness level, he played both soccer and basketball on his eighth grade CYO team this year. He’s a decent player - his basketball team went to the archdiocesan finals. Out of the blue, he tells us how sore he is from all the mountainbiking, hiking, and other activities he’s been doing. Since so many in his troop were going whitewater rafting this morning, breakfast was being served at 5:30 am, but since he hadn’t signed up for rafting, he was just going to sleep in. His exact words were, “I’m beat - I need sleep more than food.” I really think the Scouts made the right call on this one.
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