At first, I was pleased to read about the modernisation of the Scouting movement.
Apparently, age-old badges for key skills such as camping and knot tying have fallen out of favour in recent years. In their place are badges for things like recycling, which can only be a good thing in this age of Big Society. One presumes that social care, basic highway maintenance and sustainable transport planning will follow shortly.
However, delving a little deeper into this story, I note that the 21st century cub scout can also get a badge for social networking and, even worse, a gong for computer games prowess.
Sensing some criticism from traditionalists, the association said that its review would take into account other factors besides popularity in deciding which badges stay and which go. It added that more popular awards also covered some traditional skills, including rope work.
This is a relief, as I don’t recall chief scout Bear Grylls reaching for the Wii when stuck in the jungle.
Dib dib dib...
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