skateboarding/action sports

[mrcis]

What do you all think the problem would be with these--too "counter culture" or what. I know that there is a history of drug use with especially skateboarding, but it is extremely popular with boys of scouting age and many boys who are in Scouts have it as a hobby.

[riverwalk]

This safety nut always has opinions on such things, haha. But it's likely more things will merge with Scouting, to help the membership problem.

As far as drug culture stuff, the kids are exposed to that in every town and school anyway, and TV and music, so we'll just have to keep making safe/fun activities for kids to try and keep their interest. You can't stop the bad influence, but we can fight it as I described. So it may present new opportunities???

[EagleBoy62204]

The drug problems and influences to kids are always going to be there even if skateboarding, mtv, vh1, tv in general, cartoons, magazines, video games, never existed. Even if you live in the most secluded town its always going to be a threat. Like riverwalk said, it will probably eventually become some type of merit badge, weither be xtreme sports, or some other type of merit badge, because of the membership problem.

If you are a big skateboarder, which it sounds like you are, best bet is to think up of some really really really good requirements and submit them along with a petition to council. Your bets of getting it accepted are very slim but at least you are trying.

Never hurts to try.

[mrcis]

I'm not the skateboarder (just turned 44 and would end up in hospital) but my son has become interested in it. I recall I was organizing a bike rodeo when I was CM of our pack and contacted a company who makes stunt bikes near here who had a stunt demo team to see about getting them to come out and give a demo. The person I spoke to said he had been in Scouts until he started riding competitively and wished he had been able to stay in scouts but the riding schedule was too demanding. Alas, we couldn't afford the fee for the stunt riders to come out...that should tell you something about the popularity and stature these types of sports hold today. And with the success of snowboarding in the current Olympics, it's probably just a matter of time before skateboarding, stunt biking etc are added to the Olympic program. Thanks for the comments!

[wagionvigil]

We have a Venture Crew in our council that is sponsored by a sket board shop.

[EagleBoy62204]

I'm not the skateboarder (just turned 44 and would end up in hospital) but my son has become interested in it. I recall I was organizing a bike rodeo when I was CM of our pack and contacted a company who makes stunt bikes near here who had a stunt demo team to see about getting them to come out and give a demo. The person I spoke to said he had been in Scouts until he started riding competitively and wished he had been able to stay in scouts but the riding schedule was too demanding. Alas, we couldn't afford the fee for the stunt riders to come out...that should tell you something about the popularity and stature these types of sports hold today. And with the success of snowboarding in the current Olympics, it's probably just a matter of time before skateboarding, stunt biking etc are added to the Olympic program. Thanks for the comments!

If you are looking for people to do it, have you tried the skate/bike places that have half pipes and junk? I know in florida around orlando they have a Vans Skate Shop, its this huge building where anyone from skaters to free style bikers can come out and ride. If your town has something similar, you could go to the owner and ask them if they wouldnt mind showing off some of their best riders.

[riverwalk]

My town (City) just built an awsome skate park, that's bringing in people from all over. I may be the only one that won't be out there, haha.

If I got on one of them there skatie boardies, I would fall over from wearing all the protective gear. BUT, I am watching for a group to approach about sponsoring some Venturing theme of some kind. Gotta think outside the box, even if it isn't what appeals to me, hmmm?

[pat chewning]

I am starting to explore what it migth take to get skateboarding included into the "skating" merit badge. I did not know that this topic existed here, so I started one at: http://www.meritbadge.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1877

If you are interested, please continue the discussion at the above topic area.