A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous and kind — and completely addicted to Nintendo Wii.The Boy Scouts of America — a group founded on the principles of building character and improving physical fitness — have introduced a brand new award for academic achievement in video gaming, a move that has child health experts atwitter.
"It could be quite visionary and exciting or it could be a complete sellout," said Dr. Vic Strasburger, professor of Pediatrics at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.
"The devil is in the details," said Strasburger, who argued that teaching kids media literacy would be extremely valuable — as long as the games were free of the violent and sexual content that dominate so many popular titles.
While demanding adult oversight, the Scouts are now encouraging their youngest members to explore the Great Indoors and "learn to play a new video game" approved by their parents and guardians.
It's a large step for the Scouts, who have traditionally promoted physical activities like camping and sports alongside personal pursuits that foster citizenship.
Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts can earn their pins by spending an hour a day playing games, teaching others how to play better, and even researching the best price for games they'd like to buy.
The games must "help you practice your math, spelling, or another skill that helps you in your schoolwork," according to the online guidelines.
In all, the Scouts have introduced 13 new merit pins this year for a wide range of topics: Disability Awareness, Family Travel, Good Manners, Hiking, Hockey, Horseback Riding, Kickball, Nutrition, Pet Care, Photography, Reading and Writing, Skateboarding, and Video Games.
1 comment:
If there's a clearer indication that we've become a nation of three-toed sloths, I haven't seen it. Come on, Boy Scouts, you're better than this.
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