Car News

(Copied and pasted from The Escapist Blog - theescapist.com/blog )

Recently, word got out that the Cub Scouts were offering a new
achievement award that scouts could earn: Video Games.

This was met with more than a little bit of grumbling from bloggers
and columnists, who complained about how in their day, the Scouts used
to promote healthy outdoor activities, but were now handing out merit
badges for high scores. (Some even displayed their ignorance by
calling it a Boy Scout Merit Badge, which it isn't.)

After a moment or two of pondering over the subject, I figured there
had to be more to the story. The Scouts wouldn't offer an award for
just playing video games. I was willing to bet there would be
something more substantial to earning the achievement, such as
understanding the video game rating system, and budgeting the amount
of time spent playing them.

As it turns out, I hit the nail on the head. Here are the three basic
requirements for the award, courtesy of Wired GeekDad:
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/05/boy-scouts-of-america-offers-an-achievement-award-for-video-games

"1. Explain why it is important to have a rating system for video
games. Check your video games to be sure they are right for your age.
2. With an adult, create a schedule for you to do things that includes
your chores, homework, and video gaming. Do your best to follow this
schedule.
3. Learn to play a new video game that is approved by your parent,
guardian, or teacher."

As usual, the facts won't hinder anyone from expressing their outrage
- but for the rational thinkers among us, it's good to know they're
available.

So why am I mentioning this on a blog that has to do with analog RPGs,
and not video games?  Well, a little heart-warmer hit my inbox today
that reminded me of this mini-controversy. A scout from the UK has
recently been recognized for doing something positive in his
community, and wouldn't you know it, it involves roleplaying games:

"A Fenland teenager, who set up one club for young people and helps
run two more, has been nominated for Cambridgeshire Constabulary Young
People of the Year. Eighteen-year-old Philip Taylor, of Benwick, was
nominated for giving up his spare time to set up a games club and help
run his local Scouts and Beavers.

As a nominee for YOPEY, Philip is in with a chance of winning the top
prize of £1,000 from a prize pot of £3,000 put up by the police and
the other sponsors including Spicers, EACS and Dialight.

Philip set up a model war-gaming club in the Benwick Village Hall two
years ago which meets fortnightly.

Anyone is invited to the club and it gives somewhere for local
youngsters to go and learn how to play such fantasy games as
Warhammers and Dungeons and Dragons.

Philip said: "It is a chance for people to come and learn a new game.
It is also better than hanging around on the streets as it gives the
young people something fun to do in a safe environment."

Read more here:
article - http://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/Volunteer-Philip-nominated-for-award.6270858.jp
archive - http://www.theescapist.com/archive-volunteerphillip.htm

Creating a club to keep kids out of trouble is worthy of a scout
award, and it's likely that the scout organization has one that they
should give to Mr. Taylor. But it's not very likely that they offer an
RPG Advocacy badge, for encouraging young people to get involved in a
hobby that will keep them out of trouble and benefit them creatively
and socially, while simultaneously demonstrating those benefits to the
public.

So, being the geek that I am, I made one myself, just for Mr. Taylor:

http://www.theescapist.com/rpgbadge.jpg

Wear it with pride, my good man.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CAR-PGa" group.
To post to this group, send email to car-pga@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to car-pga+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/car-pga?hl=en.