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Paintball in Scouting
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Recently the Innovation and Strategy Group conducted a survey to determine the level of interest in various high adventure activities. The survey was nationwide in scope and the respondents were 50.3% male and 49.7% female. Those responding to the survey were between the ages of 7 and 19 and lived, in almost equal parts, in each of the regions of the country. The question before them was what activities do you like or would you like to participate in?

Four of the top choices by youth on this survey are currently on the list of unauthorized activities in the, “Guide to Safe Scouting”. Each of these four choices is being vetted independently on the Innovation Engine to see what you think about each idea separately.

This idea is to explore the possibility of Paintball as a sanctioned activity. If accepted, would this idea help attract and retain youth in the program?
Idea # 356Other
Moderator Comments
8/26/09

From: Merril Davis, Innovation Coordinator

Based on the initial assessment of this activity; including the potential and frequency for injury, the BSA will not pursue Paintball at this time. The suggestion of potentially including Paintball as a sanctioned Scouting activity has been reviewed by a cross functional team including; Council Solutions, Outdoor Program, Risk Management, Health & Safety and Innovation. Please direct further questions to Merril Davis of the Innovation Team.
Comments
mbarbern 1 year ago
Paintball,while fun, is an aggresive game that can be quite painful, raising welts from being hit if less than ideal protection is worn. Smaller Scouts would be "over run" by older boys and it truly is a combat simulation. Laser tag on the other hand, while it may simulate combat also, is pretty close to flashlight tag in my book. Yes they hold a pretend gun, but most boys have will point a stick or their finger and say bang at some point in their life. They know the difference between real and pretend.
pcowan 1 year ago
I agree. If the choice to allow kids to point weapons is being considered, it needs to be one that does NOT use projectiles. Even water guns can put an eye out to a youth not prepared for the mega backpack cannon blasters they have these days.
John Oneil 1 year ago
How about opening Paintball to just Venturing? I agree that younger Scouts may be problems playing against older Scouts but Venturers can handle the situation with proper training and education.
Stacie rowley 9 months ago
Paintball is dangerous no matter how old you are. I knew a 16 year old who for one second was adjusting his mask and he got shot in the eye. He is now blind in that eye. I highly doubt the BSA would want to put any youth in that situation.
Judy Sizemore 5 months ago
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