Skateboarding MB -- How should it exist?

[pat chewning]

I am the Vice President of the ISSA (International Slalom Skateboarding Association), and the skateboarding sports commissioner for the Oregon State Games.

I am interested in discussing how skateboarding might be a part of the scouting merit badge program -- whether on its own or added as a subset to the "skating" merit badge.

Shoud skateboarding be part of the merit badge system? Yes, I believe it should. It is a popular youth activity and a merit badge could help scouts pursue some of the more disciplined skateboard activities in a safe structured setting.

Should it exist on its own, or part of the "skating" merit badge? Probably part of the "skating" merit badge since it shares so much in common with inline skating (similar wheels, bearings, safety equipment, safety rules, etc).

Let's start the discussion......

[PaulSWolf]

For a start, take a look at this page:

http://usscouts.org/mb/proposals.html

[pat chewning]

For a start, take a look at this page:

http://usscouts.org/mb/proposals.html

Yes, I have seen that page. That is one of the reasons I suggested that skateboarding should be part of the existing "skating" merit badge -- because it is clear that changing a merit badge is easier than adding a new one.

But before starting the formal process of submitting a change request, I would like to have some sort of discussion here ....

A) To see if there are major objections to include skateboarding in the MB system.
B) To gather some consensus about what the requirements might be.
C) To formulate the wording of the proposal before submitting to the formal process.
D) To see if there are influential people who can help champion a proposed change.

[RWSmith]

Pat, welcome to the board. Although this is a GREAT! topic, you may not get a lot of responses, right off the bat... be patient though; I think it'll warm up. IMHO, if we can have one on Composite Materials (brand new), we can certainly have one for Skateboarding. You might find the requirements for the Composite Materials MB an interesting read.

[Swim4lyfe]

I like it. It'd be great if it were integrated into the Skating merit badge. I don't see why not, seeing as how skateboarding is so popular now.