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The Theory of Dark Suckers . . .
http://boyscouttrail.com/content/story/dark_suckers-957.asp

In all honesty, kids don't need more encouragement to game. Yes I'm a parent, but I'm young enough to still be a gamer and trust me, I didn't/don't need more encouragement.

Have you read the requirements? It's using video games as a cover to teach useful skills. For example, how to research a purchase, about the ESRB and content ratings, how to schedule leisure time so it doesn't interfere with responsibilities, and how to connect a console to a television. It's teaching them to play responsibly, which is probably more than they had done before, while teaching them a few more life skills.

You've kidding, right? How to research a purchase? Yeah, that's just what we need, teach our children to be even more consumeristic than we are. The ESRB ratings? Kids know about these - if it says anything other than T or M it sucks. They also know to make sure their parents don't know about the ESRB. Schedule time? Yeah, I'd like to see that one (filling out a log to make sure they fulfilled their badge requirements doesn't teach them to be responsible). And the lovably laughable "how to connect to a television." This is the type of thing parents have their ten year old do for them. Not to mention the only skills required are being able to connect the yellow cord to the yellow input and knowing how to work a television remote.

I play videogames and all but I don't delude myself, I know it's a waste of time.

No first person shooters? Are the scouts aware that they actually offer a merit badge in SHOOTING.

Perhaps you should read the summary again. It is an 'expert', unaffiliated with the BSA, who says no FPS. The actual requirements only point toward age-appropriate games as determined by the ESRB, rather than singling out any genre for exclusion.

Yes, there is a manufactured reactionary response by people that FPSs cause violence, but not from the BSA.

This latest move is stunning in it's lameness, but not really surprising, given their increasingly desperate attempt to remain relevant.

Really? Perhaps you are just ignorant of the requirements. It's teaching personal responsibility, time management, and how to spend money wisely, it just uses video games as a trick to interest the boys. Why? Because they're 11-years old, at the oldest!

And how is disallowing homosexuals (or atheists) based on 'fear and ignorance'? Why not the simpler explanation of 'it doesn't fit with our moral beliefs'? Are you saying they should compromise on their morals, just to be politically correct?

In all honesty, kids don't need more encouragement to game. Yes I'm a parent, but I'm young enough to still be a gamer and trust me, I didn't/don't need more encouragement.

Have you read the requirements? It's using video games as a cover to teach useful skills. For example, how to research a purchase, about the ESRB and content ratings, how to schedule leisure time so it doesn't interfere with responsibilities, and how to connect a console to a television. It's teaching them to play responsibly, which is probably more than they had done before, while teaching them a few more life skills.

You're thinking of the cub scout belt loop, which is designed for children younger than 12 (and as young as 7). Of course it's meant to be easy.

There is an actual computers merit badge, and it is much more in-depth.

Do ONE of the following:
a. Visit a business or an industrial plant that uses computers. Observe what tasks the computers accomplish, and be prepared to discuss what you have learned.
b. Using a software package of your choice for computer aided design (CAD), create an engineering-style drawing of a simple object. Include the top, bottom, and at least one side view and the dimensions.
c. Use a general purpose programming language to write a simple program application of your choice, subject to approval by your counselor.
d. Design a Web page for your troop, patrol, school, or place of worship. You need not post the page to a Web site. However, if you decide to do so, you will first need to get your parent's permission and your counselor's approval, as well as permission from the host site.

In other words, Boy Scouts do exactly what the GP suggests, while cub scouts do not.

My 8 yr old son told me that he saw they have video game belt loops in Boys Life this month!

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/content/cub_scouts_video_games_academics_pin_and_belt_loop-2035.asp

Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may complete requirements in a family, den, pack, school, or community environment. Tiger Cubs must work with their parents or adult partners. Parents and partners do not earn loops or pins.

Requirements for the Video Games Belt Loop
Complete these three requirements:
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.
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.
Learn to play a new video game that is approved by your parent, guardian, or teacher.

Requirements for the Video Games Pin
Earn the Video Games belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:
With your parents, create a plan to buy a video game that is right for your age group.
Compare two game systems (for example, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii, and so on). Explain some of the differences between the two. List good reasons to purchase or use a game system.
Play a video game with family members in a family tournament.
Teach an adult or a friend how to play a video game.
List at least five tips that would help someone who was learning how to play your favorite video game.
Play an appropriate video game with a friend for one hour.
Play a video game that will help you practice your math, spelling, or another skill that helps you in your schoolwork.
Choose a game you might like to purchase. Compare the price for this game at three different stores. Decide which store has the best deal. In your decision, be sure to consider things like the store return policy and manufacturer’s warranty.
With an adult’s supervision, install a gaming system.

No first person shooters? Are the scouts aware that they actually offer a merit badge in SHOOTING.

People are up in arms because these violent video games "train young people how to operate weapons". No, they don't. You know what does train young people to use guns? Learning to shoot in the boy scouts.

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST. No one is bitching about REAL guns with REAL bullets shooting REAL targets, but the second it becomes virtual everyone throws a fucking hissy fit.

Just for the record, this is CUB SCOUTS. From http://www.boyscouttrail.com/cub-scouts/cub-scouts.asp, this is limited to boys from 1st to 3rd grade. We are talking about ages 6-9. They do not have a merit badge for shooting, but they do have one for shooting BBs and archery. And no, I do not consider BB guns REAL guns with REAL bullets.

Meritbadge.com is way out of date. The computer merit badge requiremnets have been much improved in the last few years. I just love 5.D.

I am a Life Scout.

Dude isn't exaggerating