I am not sure if you all are aware yet.. but there is a website to help you and your Scouts to get and stay Fit.
I figured after my last post, that there should be some solutions offered as well. We can all stand to be better fit and lose a few unwanted pounds.
So check out BSA FIT and get FIT!
Check out the Boy’s Life Gym too.. this is a neat resource in getting you and your Scouts on the trail to fitness!
As for me and my unit.. we are looking into how we can get fit! Join us and the rest of the BSA, especially all the great Scouts and Scouters that are participating in #100daysstrong!
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Category Archives: #100daysStrong
Get fit.. or get left out…
So says the BSA… Now before I get hate mail.. Raise your right hand in the Scout sign and repeat after me..
“To keep myself physically Strong, Mentally Awake, and Morally Straight.”
In a minute I want you to watch this video. This is Tico Perez, our National Commissioner talking about Jamboree 2013. He discusses the challenges it will provide and the need to be physically strong as out lined in the standards that all of us should be using on the new medical form. I would suggest that if you have not got on board with this yet, well then you should.
Comments please, but don’t shoot the messenger.
So here is my take before I pop in the video.
Do I want to exclude anyone, NO.. BUT. I don’t want anyone getting hurt either. AND.. I do not want to take away the adventure. Everyone in our government talks about child obesity in America, but they are not willing to do anything about it really. Statistics show that we are fat. So let’s get skinny. You can do it, if you want to.
Eat right, exercise, and get fit, or the BSA is going to leave you out of certain activities.
I had a dear friend that was extremely heavy. Along with his weight came a lot of medical issues I am not going to dive into, but by and large you all know what those can be. He applied to go on staff for Arrow Corps 5 a few years back. He was declined because of his weight, or should I say BMI. He was very upset about it, but in the end understood the liability that he would create in this high adventure activity.
My Troop is sending 2 crews to Philmont in 2012. We will all be fit before we go. One of the committment markers to signing up was that you would be fit and meet all the standards before you would be allowed to go. Is this harsh? No, it’s the real world and we need to help these Scouts stay fit. Now you may say, Well I know Scouts that are heavy that out pack, out hike, and out last any of the skinny kids in the Troop. Well good for them, but what is the harm in shaving a few pounds for the future. That heavy kid is going to grow into a heavier adult and the problems on the horizon are many for him. Don’t get upset, just know that this is a fact and we all can help by enforcing the BSA standard and helping our Scouts get fit.
OK.. so here’s the video.. let me know what you think. Leave a comment, shoot me a voice mail or drop an email into my in box. I love to hear what you think.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Lots of Catching up to do…
Well, its been a few days since the last post, and not for a lack of trying or ‘want to’ rather the National Meetings of the BSA had my attention.
Over the next few posts I will be discussing some of the things I picked up, but for now I just want to say thanks to all the great Scoutmasters out there. I hope you understand the impact.. the lasting impact you are making in the lives of our young men. As Rex Tillerson, the National President of the BSA said this morning “You [Scoutmasters] are the tip of the spear”. Leaving a lasting legacy in our units, councils, but more importantly in the young men we serve.
He [Rex Tillerson] talked about “Aha moments” that he gleans from these events.. well my “Aha Moment” was seeing all the dedicated Scouters that really put their collective money where there mouth is.
I really don’t want to get into the dollars that are moving around the BSA, but lets just say that all things being relative, none of should complain about what we give in Scouting.
We all give a lot of time, talent, and treasure to make Scouting great… but there are folks out there that are making huge waves with the rocks they are pitching in the pond.
I will never be in their tax bracket.. but let me tell you that beyond the money.. the “aha moment” was the total life dedication to Scouting that comes with these great people.
Each of us know Scouters in our District that are “That Scout guy or gal”.. what I saw was above and beyond anything that we at the unit and district level could imagine as dedication to Scouting. I will talk about that more later.
It left me feeling, in a non monetary way, that I was not doing enough. I will never be able to lay 25,000,000 on Scoutings table, but I will dedicate time, energy, and when I can financial support to the greatest youth organization in the world. A quick glance at the work that these dedicated individuals have accomplished leaving a direct impact on the Scouts of America, yes a Direct impact, amazed me at the Silver Buffalo ceremony. I was impressed and encouraged that Scouting is alive, well, and moving forward.
I will post more later.
#100daysStrong – instead of a tip this time I am throwing this out there for you:
The Physical Fitness Award is part of a BSA program of emphasis for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Leaders. Details of the program are on-line, on the official BSA web site, and can be seen by clicking here.
Complete a cardiovascular fitness evaluation/consultation with your personal health care provider.
Using the BSA references listed after the seven major components, give a presentation to a BSA or other community youth group (at least eight youth participants) on cardiovascular fitness, diet, the health benefits of regular aerobic exercise, exercise recommendation for the Scout-age group, and healthy lifestyles.
Review the BSA guidelines for the Athletics and other physical activity or personal fitness-oriented merit badge and explain steps you have taken to follow each of the guidelines for the fitness goals. Explain precautions to be taken for a physical fitness activity in each of the following: woods, fields, facilities, and waterfront.
Explain to your mentor the symptoms of dehydration and hypothermia. Explain the special considerations for preventing dehydration and hypothermia.
Properly outfit for physical activities with proper equipment, clothing, and footwear. Know your own capabilities and limitations. Illustrate how you would prepare for the physical fitness goals included in the award program.
With supervision from your mentor or other qualified persons, set up a fitness goal-oriented plan using the seven major components of fitness.
Demonstrate your ability to improve your strength, posture, endurance, agility, speed, accuracy, and balance with your own goal-oriented fitness plan.
If you have completed the Physical Fitness Award requirements, you can download the application here.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
