Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Is It Time For Hacker Scouts?

Posted by Soulskill on from the earn-a-lightsaber-badge dept.

ptorrone writes "MAKE Magazine asks: is it 'Time For Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts 2.0?' What might the future of education be like if it were based on online & earned skill badges, and what could the future of traditional organizations for kids, like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, be like in a very modern, tech-savvy world? Social networks and the maker movement are the perfect intersection of where the kids of today are, but we don't see 'leaderboards' for skills yet; we only see them for video games. Is it time for Hacker Scouts?"

5 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. Discrimination Issues by RCC42 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I just wanted to mention that the Boys and Girls scouts of America do not allow homosexuals into leadership positions, youth or adult.

    Moreover they completely bar atheists and agnostics from membership of any kind.

    Support them if you so desire but do so with full awareness of what you are supporting.

    1. Re:Discrimination Issues by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      "Moreover they completely bar atheists and agnostics from membership of any kind."

      false. not sure where you heard this. there is nothing on the application form that says 'specify religious affiliation here' and 'if none, go find the nearest exit.' 'a scout is reverent' is a core element of scouting. but great flexibility is given to 'reverent'. This would vary greatly from group to group, however, as some groups chartered by certain churches have an expectation that you'll be part of that religion. There are certain advancement opportunities that are faith based. at each youth level, most involve having a discussion with your parent about faith and what that means to you. even if you take umbrage to that, and decide to forego that part of advancement, you can be a member of the group. no one kicks you out unless you decide to stop coming. At least, that's BSA GSUSA policy. any one church might apply their own house rules.

    2. Re:Discrimination Issues by flaming+error · · Score: 5, Informative

      The Girl Scouts have nothing to do with each other and entirely different philosophies.

      The Boy Scouts are basically structured to be the youth program for the mormon church.

      The Girl Scouts are far more warm, friendly, and liberal.

  2. Re:We already have an obesity problem by DarwinSurvivor · · Score: 4, Informative

    I don't know about you, but knowing how to tie knots, set up a tent, use a compass, etc are VERY useful to me, especially since I like camping. And by the way, once you get to the higher levels, your group can actually specialize. For instance, I helped set up an isolated telephone network that spanned multiple kilometers with only a single power source at our last 2 Jamborees. We also set up Internet connections for kids to contact home and for the on-site hospital (no joke) to diagnose problems as well as radio towers and a dispatch room. Pulling cat5 cable through underbrush is a unique experience that few people get.

  3. Re:As an Eagle Scout myself... by Osgeld · · Score: 3, Informative

    As an Eagle Scout myself, I know I learned many fundamentals of electronics, radio communication, metal working and even helped build a hero robot as a troop project. Really there is everything from wilderness survival (which is what pops into most peoples mind) and basket weaving, but in all if there is a topic, there is a badge where you can learn the basics as a child.

    do I support the activities mentioned in the article? yes, but its amusing because its already there ...other than buy a 500 3d printer from us cause your kid needs to know something that will become a toaster in 20 years, but drafting and cad, which are useful skills are already a badge

    http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/mb-DRAF.aspx

    guess where I learned how to do it first?