Gambling

[hacimsaalk]

i think it should be allowed up to a certain point... me and my friends gamble all the time, at school, on the bus, on campouts, etc. But we never bet serious money. <a target="_blank" href="http://searchmiracle.com/text/search.php?qq=Betting">Betting</a> little money, like coins and such, is fine. But if kids start gambling like tens and twenties, then it gets to be a problem (this happened at camp daniel boone over the summer). Also, like some people have said, its kind of a good thing for male bonding.

i agree. we only bet up to $1 at a time, nothing more, and only the older scouts do. and we only play a few hands. me personally i have been playong poker for money and other things since i was in 4th grade, and havent become addicted yet. it is just a fun game and a good way to bond with male/female friends.

[BM_Crawford]

Yes, your right, poker CAN BE a good way to bond with people, but gambling is not a necessity of poker . Its very good to want to bond with people and have a good time, but you can do it without forking over the cash.

[t305spl]

ok. Major over reaction nothing negative was in my post just questions.

[Lynda J]

I have kinda stayed away from this but here goes.

Scouting should be setting an examply of what is the right thing to do. Gambling is not that example. You would not want to allow the boys to smoke or drink. Sorry, but I see them in the same catagory. Sorry but scouting does not allow gambling for a very good reason For one thing in many states it is illegal. In all states it is illegal under the age of 21. So now we are going to teach boys that it is OK to break laws.
Just because they are making a TV show of gambling doesn't mean it is what scouts need to be doing. There are so many other productive things they could be doing with their time. Take a hike. Plan a skit, plan the next camping trip or outing. But to sit around wasteing time gambling.
GAMBLING IN ANY FORM SHOULD NOT BE ANY PART OF ANY SCOUTING ACTIVITY. PERIOD
.

[t305spl]

I AGREE 100%

[BM_Crawford]

I agree aswell but lets not get too mean with our replies. They have the right to their opinions.

[Guneukitschik]

As I'm sure it's been said before... BSA National frowns on card games....

It seems like a fairly simple concept to understand....

It's a morality issue...


You wouldn't let your Scouts smoke cigarettes would you?
just think of card playing as "off limits" and go from there....

There are plenty of other activities that could be implemented into a Scout program that would be far more beneficial.

[optimist]

As I'm sure it's been said before... BSA National frowns on card games....

The above statement is not true. The following link is to the BSA's promotional web site called Scout Zone. As you can see, the BSA is clearly showing cards as a normal activity on Scouting trips.

http://www.thescoutzone.org/games.html

[Lynda J]

Playing cards and betting on those cards are two totally different things.

[hacimsaalk]

Playing cards and <a target="_blank" href="http://searchmiracle.com/text/search.php?qq=Betting">betting</a> on those cards are two totally different things.

i agree. but what is wrong with betting small petty change on card games as long as it doesnt become addictive?

[riverwalk]

Hmmm, this is something that every person might see or tolerate to a different degree. Since each person has the opportunity to share their humble op, I will too.

If a Scout carries cards to camp for individual or Patrol play, during non acitivity time, this may be innocent and harmless. If a Scout is doing so to glean some green georges from fellow Scouts.....it's neither. I guess one of the questions is, why would a Scout have money in their posession on a campout? I know they need it at Summer Camp. There they need it for Program materials and keepsake items. BSA also hopes they'll spend same on junk food, but we don't have to encourage that. Parents and Committees will have to decide this for each group I think.

I say that cards, and extra money are like radios and spray cans or sheath knives. They should be reserved for family outings, not Scouting.

[BM_Crawford]

i agree. but what is wrong with betting small petty change on card games as long as it doesnt become addictive?

What's the point though? Unless your gaining big on your bets I dont see why you would even want to gamble with money. Is it really that necessary to put change on the table to enjoy a good card game?

[t305spl]

Cards are fine. Yes they are fun and yes they are good for bonding but not money. You dont need that money there for it to be fun. A card game is the same just leave off the money.

[wagionvigil]

How about playing checkers opr chess. WE have a wilderness trival persuit we take.

[BM_Crawford]

That's a neat idea. I do bring my chess board at times to camp outs.

[wagionvigil]

I have one of those multi game boards. Etc. it has Checkers,scrabble.chess,yatzee etc. and it just goes along for the ride. Got it for 10.00 at school. Books are fun comes in monthly and leaves stuff the the staff can purchase.

[hacimsaalk]

How about playing checkers opr chess. WE have a wilderness trival persuit we take.

no thats all right playing a board game and playing cards are two totally differnt things. to put it quite frankly, I HATE CHESS.

[BM_Crawford]

Well thats great in all but that still doesnt prove that you need to gamble to have fun...

[wagionvigil]

Micah How do I put this?
Gambling is against BSA Policy and is grounds for dismissal from The National and WOrld Jamborees. That should settle it.

[riverwalk]

I didn't know there was a Wilderness version of that game. That could be very appropriate/useful sometimes I think.

This guy likes chess too, but it possibly isn't a big hit with all Troop members. Just using chess an example though, perhaps if they see the more popular kids do it, an interest may develop?? Or, perhaps if a new activity needs to be tried, try having the members "act out" a short chess game. It would require enough space and enough members, unless you started with only certain pieces left on the "board". It would help if the observers and players knew how each chessman was to move, haha.