Red Blooded American Boy

Archive for the ‘Merit Badge’ Category

The big belly has historically been a symbol of seniority and leadership in the world of Cub and Boy Scouting.  But, due to the litigious nature of our great 57 States of America, the restrictions on Scouting activities have become tighter.  If the numbers crunched on the medical form have a higher BMI than recommended then campfire cooking will be the expected level of activity for the leaders.  These leaders should earn the “High BMI” meritbadge.

High BMI Meritbadge

Even though the National Boy Scouts of America office says otherwise, someone must have went on a hiking trip and died.  A family probably sued and we all lose.

A focus on health is great.  However, this form does not do that.  It simply uses an index to gauge the ability of someone to perform activities.  While BMI is great for estimating overall health, it does not accurately reflect the fitness of a person.  Neither does it take medical history or current treatment into account.  It should be the evaluation of a MD that takes precedent over an index such as BMI.

I suspect this new form to last only a short while.  Political correctness rules our nation today.  I do not see the Boy Scouts of America being strong enough to say,

You are just too fat for that.

Unlike many of my peers at age 16, I was working hard on my Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts that I did not notice girls. Ok. Thats not true. I was such a Boy Scout that was on my honor, I would not have tried anything untoward young women. Ok. Thats a lie, too.
I can admit it. I was quite a geek and really not as exciting those guys with slick smiles and fast cars. That doesn’t mean I didn’t dream of a girl that was really turned on by an array of patches sewn all over a uniform and other shiny things hanging from my belt. In my mind, the dream girl would rip off my neckerchief and ask:

Is that a special issue 75th Diamond Anniversary pocket knife? Or are you just happy to see me?

For sure that did not happen! But, after earning Eagle at age 17, I got my car and more freedom.  I had a new page of adventure yet to write and I was ready!

Debauchery Merit Badge

Still the dating scene was quite slow. Seems that the geek does not go away so quickly…

But, aside from being a geek, I found the party scene not what I expected.  My peers had heard about or even saw the newspaper article about me earning Eagle Scout.  So, I had a reputation that proceeded me.

To my surprise, when I went to a party – I was recruited as the designated driver because no one expected me to drink.   No one offered me the cigarettes or pot they were smoking.  What I found myself doing was delivering drunk friends around and being the guy folks could count on.

One of my pot-smoking friends of the time told me this:

I like you because you do not have to do what I am doing.  You are your own man.

That was an awesome statement from the least likely of sources.  Yes, I was my own man.  I was an Eagle Scout.

As I grew, I discovered the truth behind those great things I was taught in Boy Scouts.  Those elements in the Scout Law: living a Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent life are things my wife and kids look to me for each day.  My employer looks for those, too.  Being physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight keeps me going — at home or during work travel.  My neighbors, my community and church all expect these attributes from me.

So, my advice to Boy Scouts working on their ranks… earn your debauchery merit badge after Eagle.  Discover all that you had missed while on campouts, hikes and jamborees.

Actually, you will find that the requirement for earning the merit badge will be saving others from debauchery.  Your own debauchery?  No way.  Doing good turns and doing your duties will keep you busy enough.