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OK, I admit, I am overweight... when I earned my Eagle I was 5'10" and 155 pounds. Add an inch to that today but also add 'too much' weight. Like many of our leaders and youth members I can't claim to be as physically fit as I should be. I was a Cub Scout in the 50's and times have changed. Fast food, video and computer games, bussing at our doors for the kids going to school instead of walking and the list goes on. Scouting needs to address this issue in a big way. We need kids out hiking and involved in more physically active aspects of our programs. Districts and Councils can help with this by making hikes and physically challenging events a regular part of the program. When I see 'weight restrictions' on certain National programs I have to think where I would fall on those guidelines. My district just had an event that included a 12 mile hike and the participants were encouraged to 'build up to it' and to use it towards hiking merit badge. Cubs were allowed to participate with either a 3 or 5 mile hike and Webelos were allowed to go the whole distance. We issued a hiking staff medallion instead of a patch and it was very well received. Additionally, we hiked between two points of local Scouting Historical interest from one town to the next and a lot of folks got to see Scouts outdoors in their towns. I am expecting that this sort of an event will become a regular part of our district program planning now. I also am looking for ways to encourage our leaders and youth to make exercise and healthy diet a regular part of their routine. 'On my HONOR I will keep myself Physically Fit'....... As professionals and as a movement we need to do more than give lip service to that promise... I would welcome ideas to bring to my district as well as success stories from other districts/councils.
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This is not really an innovative idea, but it seems to me that since we are stating that we are going to try to improve the fitness and health level of our employees, perhaps we should stop serving doughnuts, muffins and cakes, etc. at our events. It might cost a little more or be a little less convenient to serve things like fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, etc., but it doesn't seem like we send the right message when we talk about being fit and healthy, and literally at the same time are handing out high-fat, low-nutrition foods.
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