Boy Scout Handbook Goes Digital, 'Grand Theft Auto: Pine Box' Next?

The Boy Scout motto 'Be Prepared' is about to take on a whole new meaning. After resisting for quite a while, the organization is joining the Internet Age. It's a whole new 'wilderness' for young men to navigate.
According to the Associated Press, The Boy Scout Handbook will be available in a digital version for the first time. In addition to instructional videos, the online text will include a section on Internet safety and even more information on using a GPS. Of course, the Scouts didn't forget about the iPhone. Next month, the handbook will be available as an application for Apple's do-everything device.
Since 1999, Scout membership has declined by 16-percent. Leaders told the AP they hope that, by offering more digital tools, they hope to attract more of the tech-savvy generation to the organization. While this push might not attract boatloads of new members, it'll definitely be a huge benefit for current scouts. The potential for the digital handbook is limitless. Think about it; the videos and other instructional tools should make racking up those badges easier than ever. [From: The Associated Press]





Live from Microsoft's New Generation Xbox event!
Xbox Reveal liveblog on Joystiq
Dozens Killed in Oklahoma Tornado; Death Toll to Rise
Justin Bieber Booed, Gets Standing Ovation at Billboard Music Awards
2013 Billboard Music Awards Best and Worst Dressed
Watch: Kansas Meteorologist Seeks Shelter From Tornado
Xbox One architecture panel liveblog!
Two Pilots Fired After Brazilian Pop Star Takes Captain's Seat Mid-Flight
Oldest Water on Earth Found Deep Underground
2013 Billboard Music Awards: All the Winners!














Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsJoxford32Aug 14th 2009 8:57PM
First of all, who said racking up badges was supposed to be easy. Coming from an Eagle Scout, I don't feel that this is a good thing. Yes, membership is down but I don't want to sacrifice the essence of scouting for the sake of pulling in kids that don't want to be there in the first place. The last I heard 2% of all boys that ever join scouts make it to eagle. It would diminish the feat if you could reach it in 6 months, doing all your work on a I-pod.
raptorspikeAug 16th 2009 5:25PM
First off, congratulation on making to Eagle scout. I could have made to Life or Star, but my troop folded while I was working on Star. I do think its a little sad that the scouts are having to do gimmicky things like this to try to get more kids. Maybe its just that no one wants to learn how to fend for themselves or take responsibility. I can only hope the scouts survive. I would love to take my future son *someday* to Tiger Cubs, starting him on a path of personal growth.
tsgtfarfanAug 14th 2009 10:02PM
The Boy Scouts will soon be gone, people are not raising their kids with any kind of values anymore. The values that the Boy Scouts try to teach are being swept away. Putting the manual in a digital form is a last ditch effort, but if you have sat in a den meeting lately, the kids are goofing off and not paying attention, they aren't wearing their uniforms properly and the parents are not involved, unless dad was in the program.
HoserAug 15th 2009 2:58AM
Problem with scouts is like many other organizations. Too much stuff out there to do. Not necessarily the right stuff. I am still in scouts 10 years after my son finished up with his eagle and the reason is simple. Schools are not teaching leadership skills. As a real surprise to me, my son is now a district commissioner, having served in Iraq as a Marine officer. He told me after his stint in Iraq that his experience in scouts was a guiding force behind becoming an officer and doing his duty to his country. Parents not encouraging this kind of behavior are responsible for lack of leadership and responsibility pervailing society today. Blame someone else is the mantra of today. Volunteer?? Hell no,. that is for someone else. Electronic scout book - its time has come
jpslipshodAug 15th 2009 10:16AM
The oath contains "God and Country".
The last of the Scout Laws is "Reverent".
Guess these are not as important in our country with religious freedom.