What Harry Potter and Hogwarts can teach us...

[OldGreyEagle]

If you would have told me back in 1996 that a book series, book series mind you, would captivate teens all around the world and teens would line up at midnight to buy a book, and not one based on pictures, I would have reserved you a space at your local looney bin.

 

The final Harry Potter book is upon us with record sales, all in a media that many thought dead.

 

The Potter books are not short stoties, they are long involved epics proving that there is a market for items that challenge and delight youth. So, the question is, are we challenging and delighting our youth? Think of the iPods and Game Boys that went untouched while the final Potter book was read. The MTV channels unwatched all because the regular viewer was reading a book.

 

Many times posters say that todays youth don't want to be challenged, they are tied to their electronics, Potter proves otherwise, they can be reached if the right chord is struck.

 

May we all rise to the challenge

[Venividi]

OGE,

 

The thing that is most notable to be is the houses within Hogwarts, and the competetions set up between the houses; both Quiddich and overall points for house of the year. Also, teachers are truely teachers and mentors, and not constantly watching over the shoulders of the students to make sure that they do what they are supposed to do.

 

Very similar to how I envision patrols working in an ideal troop.

 

 

[RangerT]

OGE, maybe we ought to let JK Rowling write and design the next BSA recruitment video and literature, maybe even the next handbook. She couldn't do any worse than most of the recent attempts by national. Imagine Harry Potter in a Boy Scout uniform with his wand at the ready. JK has captured the minds and imagination of our youth worldwide, maybe its time for the BSA to think outside the box, eh. Just a thought.

[SWScouter]

OGE, don't forget the Harry Potter movie that didn't fair so well it's second weekend because so many we're reading the newest and final Harry Potter book.

[Beavah]

Yah, I'm with VeniVidi.... Things we can learn from Harry Potter....

 

Houses/Patrols that you're really a part of and that you compete for are great.

 

Most of learning should be actively doing things. Only evil adults like Professor Umbridge try to teach the Magic of Life as "theory" out of a book.

 

The best teachers establish high standards, have great personalities, and really care.

 

Having a rules list of 439 things that scouts are prohibited from doing marks you as a mean old Squib like Mr. Filch.

 

Breaking such rules are a sign of joy and intelligence in youth.

 

The Wisest of Headmasters lets even 11-year-olds face dark, frightening challenges on their own, with faith in their abilities.

 

Friends are important. And the best friends are ones you face Trolls or Backpacking Downpours with.

 

We all have to face Dementors from time to time. We do it with our memories of happy times, and with the symbols of those whose love we hold most dear.

 

Sometimes the best kids don't make Prefect, or Eagle, and that's OK.

 

Beavah

 

[Lady_Leigh67]

First, this topic really caught my eye! My family and I are HUGE HP fans! HUGE!

 

Beavah, I couldn't have written a better post myself! Well done!