RememberSchiff

...or using Scouting to push video gaming? http://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/boy-scouts-try-video-games/article_67bda04a-b1c8-11e7-9ad1-8b0194ee0537.html El Paso,TX Venture Crew partnering with video game retailer Gamestop. “We’ve got (the national organization’s) attention now,†said Jack Peterson, who sits on the Boy Scouts of America committee for the venture group. “Every time we ask a group of scouts ‘who plays video games?’ everyone raises their hands.†Peterson said the point of the venture group is to reach young men and women who are not acquainted with the Boy Scouts or who live far away from one of their branches. “Scouting is attractive to kids in urban areas, and it’s tough to get to a meeting when you live in a rural area,†he said. “We’re also wanting to attract kids from diverse backgrounds that play video games.†The Boy Scouts started the program on Oct. 5 after leaving flyers at local Gamestop retailers inviting interested players to join the group. A handful were present during the venture group’s first meeting at Guillen Middle School in South El Paso. “This gives them an opportunity to continue in scouting but in a non-traditional manner they can identify with,†said Horacio Porras, scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts Yucca Council in El Paso. “This is going to allow them the opportunity to be a part of the gaming and scouting community but on a much broader level.†The scouts were provided with a Sony Playstation 4, and it didn’t take long for them to start playing a type of game known as a “platformer.†The game is called Rayman Legends, and when playing with a partner, it requires cooperation and timing between two players. It’s not obvious, but the game helps the scouts learn how to communicate through virtual communities, an increasingly common way to interact in the workplace. “This is a safe environment where they can be among friends and learn part of those characteristics as far as the scout code,†said John Townsend, the crew advisor. Townsend said he makes sure the scouts play games that they can learn important skills from. The online community can be a rowdy one, and that is where Townsend plans to step in. He knows playing video games against others online can expose the scouts to taunting and inappropriate language. (Okay no argument, civil or uncivil, there - RS) “They stir the pot in an effort to rattle you,†he said. “That’s not what this is about. This is about providing a safe environment where they can enjoy the company of others.†Zane Chamlee, 16, a student at Valle Verde Early College was watching his colleagues play the game. He said he is looking forward to participating in the program. His favorite game is League of Legends. “It’s literally the largest game in the world,†he said. (I thought that was soccer? - RS) Cherish Calero, the district manager for Gamestop in El Paso, said the company partnered with the Boy Scouts to help provide resources to the scouts who don’t have the video game consoles or accessories needed to participate in the program. It’s not the first time Gamestop has partnered with charitable organizations to provide video game accessories. They’ve also worked with Ronald McDonald House Charities and Make-a-Wish Foundation. “It’s important that kids learn the life skills that gaming can offer them,†she said. Unbelievable. What next, Congress aiding the sale and distribution of opioids?

Not seeing it @ 5:30am EST

@@OwlScouter welcome to scouter.com

In my experience, agreements among units about who will "take" what groups of incoming scouts only causes headaches. There are always exceptions and surprises with the membership. So in talking to the other two packs, you might say "Our pack leadership has decided to accept girls, if you do not, please direct them to our pack." My $0.02

Does your CO host a Girl Scout unit?

It's funny how policy is pushed aside by practicality in the field. My $0.02

If the transition plan is not known at recharter, some CO's of packs may have second thoughts.

Thanks for your long service to scouts and Scouting. May you find joy with your family. RS

I am waiting for the Girl Scouts to announce that they will now sell popcorn too!

Here Youth Protection training must be taken every TWO years. Five years sounds more sensible but then we likely have more child abuse litigation. Once and done works for me. In our general program, there is NO first aid training requirement for adult leaders. Some camps and activities, e.g. Philmont, may require leaders have CPR and Wilderness First Aid training. Doesn't make sense to me either.

Pinned. Now available in Forum Support & Announcements.

Maybe my unit is a fluke, but he have more parents (dads) who were scouts than our registered leaders. In their view, there is less hassle and cost in just informally helping than formally registering as a leader. I like your smart use of "family camping" to demonstrate scouting and recruit adults say once a year or two years. How often are your adult leaders required to take youth protection training?

Some questions: What percentage of your scout leaders were scouts? Reading posts here, my impression you have a higher percentage than we. Do you have "Family Camping" in your program? Modest Proposal: Maybe we should relocate BSA HQ to Britain for this transition.

Well stated @@njdrt-rdr , @@Tampa Turtle IMO, more scouters will leave over National's lack of trustworthiness and leadership and invasive Family Camping than girl membership.

@@IHC welcome to scouter.com

Offline, decide how many and which adults you want, then individually ask each to volunteer. My $0.02

@@Venturing Lady welcome to scouter.com

Okay the debating teachers are eating at Applebee's or Olive Garden. Let's stay on topic.

@@gblotter welcome to scouter.com

@@Peter1919 thanks for your help, welcome to scouter.com

Yup, @@Sentinel947, you asked it better than me.

@@lakes_stu thanks for joining in. With the addition of girls, what new did you ask/require of parents in protecting scouts and supporting your program?

National trustworthiness and leadership in the decision-making and planning here are in doubt.

@@HoLLyWood welcome to scouter.com

@@usarasa welcome to scouter.com