tjm

I've reviewed the requirements for the BSA Physical Fitness Award and have several questions for which I've not been able to get answers for through my local district or council. As you posted the press release from national I was hoping you were familiar with executing the BSA Physical Fitness Award and perhaps could answer a few questions. In particular - 1. How to assess posture. I understand a posture chart is used. Where is one obtained and what training/instruction is needed to properly do the assessment? In prior posts to this forum regarding this question, there were two web sites cited, but in both cases, the specifics (e.g. the posture chart itself and how to use it) were not described. 2. I don't see how accuracy, as measured by throwing a softball at a target at a non-specific distance has any bearing on fitness. If golf is my game, isn't a "putt" a better measure? If basketball is my game, aren't free throw's a better measure? What if orienteering is my game - what "accuracy" would be assessed? What is the underlying theory/philosopy behind this component? 3. I've spoken with fitness professionals at a local university and shared the "seven components". A consistent reaction is disbelief at squat-thrust as a measure of endurance and an equal disbelief that no aerobic test is specified. What is the reasoning behind this?

Thank you for the reply. I was aware of the information Bob White provided - hitting the national web site was one of the first things I did. I had also found the reference provided by Hunt. So far my experience has matched orennoah exactly. As far as I can tell, this is still an active award. As Hunt and others pointed out, many councils around the nation still show this award available on the information on their web sites. Also the award is still listed in the US Scouting Service Project web site. The link to national does a good job explaining the goals and objectives of the award. Its light on the "execution" part - how to actually administer the award program. In a nutshell, the award is available to all scouts (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturer) and scouters. My read between the lines is this is focused toward adult scouters. The goal is to promote individuals to adopt fitness programs aimed at improving overall fitness over your lifetime. Something I recently decided to do for myself and have been very thankful I did. Of course, I am a little disappointed that no one seems to have a better handle on the "execution" than I've gotten. Orennoah's reply let's me know I'm not alone. Well, I'm going to promote it in my council. I'll post in the future and let you know how well it goes.

I'm interested in the BSA Physical Fitness Award. But I've a number of questions about the requirements. I have already contacted my local district and council and that staff isn't very familiar with the program. Is there a "national" contact that I can pursue?