8 May 2009
Chief Scout Executive Mazzuca Endorses iPods for Boy Scouts
Posted by admin under: policies .
It’s one of those lines in a story that makes you stop and your jaw drop. I read it a few times to make sure I was seeing it. It’s a throwaway. Something that was just kind of tagged in the story. And it flies in the face of a rule I’ve been trying to enforce in Scouting for the last 12 years.
As the Boy Scouts of America prepare to celebrate their 100th anniversary next year, they’re proud of how far they’ve come. Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca told the Modesto Rotary Club on April 28 that his organization serves 3 million youth and remains financially strong.
Now comes the kicker. Wait for it. Remember the new uniforms? Were you wondering why there was that weird pocket where none had been before?
The Scouts are updating themselves by embracing blogs and designing an iPod pocket in the shirt sleeve of the new Boy Scout uniform, Mazzuca said. They’re trying to broaden their base by reaching out to Latinos. In May, Mazzuca launched an initiative to double Latino membership by the end of 2010. There are about 100,000 Latino members right now.
He added that the group is working to reinvent itself. “It’s coming to grips with modern parents, modern kids.”
iPods. Huh? “Put the electronics away guys. We’re here to learn from nature not ignore it” “But Mr. Mazzuca said the pocket is for an iPod. Isn’t he like your boss?”
I’m sure our Chief Scout Executive meant that it can be used for that purpose during long drives to and from destinations. At least that’s me putting words in his mouth and trying to find a justification for his comment. I’m sure he doesn’t think the boys walk around the neighborhood in their Scouting uniforms hooked up to their favorite bands. Or maybe he does. Maybe all those community service events that have the guys raking and weeding and clearing trails is meant to be encouraged with a little Fall Out Boy in the brain. I’m going to continue the rules I was trained by and receive at each summer camp until I hear differently. That is if I don’t already have my headphones on.
- Steve B. on Robert M.
- On Merit Badge Books and Uniforms
- More Hispanic Push in Florida
- Latino Boy Scout Recruiting a Hard Sell
- What? Me Worry?
3 Comments so far...
Clarke A Green Says:
8 May 2009 at 10:25 pm.
Ipods and cellphones aren’t necessarily a distraction. Most Scout aged boys have one or both on or about their person all the time. A few simple agreements as to their proper use is a better approach.
Scouts are intelligent enough to figure these things out for themselves. If the youth leadership sets up their own rules for these things then they have an investment in seeing that they are obeyed.
Skip Tamke Says:
10 May 2009 at 9:19 pm.
I tend to disagree with Clarke on this one, in a limited manner. I am OK with an iPod on a trip, for down-time only. In fact they can supplement the program if we ask them to bring along something that can drive a group discussion or skill. Phones, however, are just a total distraction. In younger Scouts, its a homesick-magnet. With older Scouts, the texting and constant calls are annoying and diverting from the program. I actually had an older Scout invite several girls to show up to a campfire at a camporee a couple of years ago.
Eagle '93 Says:
1 August 2009 at 7:08 pm.
Ok I am new to Ipods myself but after buying a iPod touch and seeing what can really be do with one I am supprised that there is no official BSA apps such as a handbook and merit badge books along with the woods of wisdom. I think that having the awsome power of that kind of reference at your finger tips would be a big bonus to the program. Not to mention knot tying and navigation aids and star reference.
