Tag Archives: Boy Scouts of America

Did You Know?

By K.P. Sander

A Boy Scout in 1969 (Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia)

A Boy Scout in 1969 (Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia)

On Sun., Feb. 8, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) will celebrate their 105th anniversary as one of the largest youth organizations in the United States.

With membership nearing 2.7 million youth and more than one million adult volunteers, the BSA was previously ranked the twelfth-largest non-profit group in the country, with total revenues of $665.9 million.

According to Wikipedia, the goals driving the BSA revolve around training youth to be responsible citizens, of good character, who are self-reliant. These young men – aged anywhere from 7 to 21 – participate in diverse educational programs, outdoor activities, and much more.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, the BSA has more than 105,000 units throughout the U.S.  You probably know some cub or boy scouts in your own city. The units are led by volunteers that are appointed by the BSA chartering organization, or local organizations such as churches, clubs, civic associations and educational programs implementing the scouting program within communities.

While the BSA’s influence has been both lauded and criticized for unfair practices – at times resulting in litigation – their objectives (known as “Aims of Scouting”) are touted as pure:  moral character development; citizenship training; and the development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness.  These Aims are defined through informal education and activities at regular meetings and members are identified within their own dens, packs and communities under the mentorship of adult leaders.

“Scouting” is characterized through specific codes, and perhaps at some point in your life you have held up three fingers and promised, “Scout’s Honor.”

Scout Oath:  “On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

Scout Law:  “A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

Outdoor Code:  “As an American, I will do my best to be clean in my outdoor manner, to be careful with fire, to be considerate in the outdoors, and to be conservation minded.”

Eastvale: Boy Scout Seeks Merit Badge

BY K.P. SANDER

 

communication_lgEastvale – The Eastvale Community News received the following letter and editorial piece from a local boy scout in search of a Merit Badge for Communications. We hereby print the [rather charming] information, per his request, and look forward to hearing that the badge was awarded accordingly.

Dear Editor:

My name is Josh Tolley. I’m 14 years old. I’m in troop 433 in Eastvale, California. I’m trying to earn my communications merit badge. I would appreciate you reading the following article, and consider it for publication.

-Sincerely, Josh Tolley

Dear Video Game Magazine Writers:

I would like to bring to your attention that it is Batman’s 75th Year Anniversary of being the greatest hero ever, and I would like you to publish something about this in your magazine. Here is a list I have made of the top ten best Batman videogames.

  • 10 – Batman Lego 2
  • 9 – Return of the Joker
  • 8 – Batman Vengeance
  • 7 – Gotham City Imposters
  • 6 – Adventures of Batman and Robin
  • 5 – Batman Returns (NES)
  • 4 – Adventures of Batman and Robin (NES)
  • 3 – Batman Returns 2 (NES)
  • 2 – Batman (NES)
  • 1 – Batman Arkham Asylum

#10, Batman Lego 2, was fun because you could destroy things left and right. There were 50 different playable characters and lots of recognizable places.

#9 was a very interesting storyline. The highlight of the game was that it was the first to have long-range weapons.

#8 had a great game play and a fantastic storyline. It had lots of gadgets and was very difficult.

#7 was kind of a mix of Tf2 and Call of Duty. It had the silliest combat of Batman you have ever seen.

With #6, you get to willingly select your gadgets. There are all the familiar criminals, and it is all about careful platforming and precision.

#5 is a side screen “beat ‘em up,” like the Ninja Turtles, with flying kicks, super moves and dash attacks.

With #4, you get to use Batman’s fists, his gadgets, and maybe a game genie, because it is a very difficult game.

In #3, Batman is a total beast in this game because he is stronger, fiercer, and brutal.

#2 is a very complicated game, but the wall mechanics help a lot. Batman is the big, bad bat, and he uses rocket-firing pistols, batarangs, and the bat.

#1 uses Batman’s stealth, brutality, gadgets, has the key voices from the animated series, and there are long combos you can put together with his gadgets.

Sincerely, Josh