The Boy Scouts: an organization that’s really into banning people from things, regardless of who they are deep down.
It seems like we were just getting over the whole gay-ban thing from the Boy Scouts, so we’re shocked that they’re moving to ban yet another group of people — obese members!
That’s right, extremely overweight Boy Scouts are banned this year from the scouts├óΓé¼Γäó annual Jamboree. They say it’s because this year’s Jamboree is expected to be the most physically-demanding in the organization├óΓé¼Γäós history!
We get it, they want to motivate their scouts into being healthier and using the Jamboree as an incentive. The thing is, though, the Boy Scouts isn’t exactly a cheap organization, and if you put the time AND money into making it a huge part of your life, you shouldn’t be restricted from doing ANYTHING.
Here’s what the BSA said:
├óΓé¼┼ôTeaching scouts and scouters how to live a sustainable life, which includes a healthy lifestyle, and the health of our participants are important goals of the jamboree. We published our height weight requirements years in advance and many individuals began a health regimen to lose weight and attend the jamboree. But, for those who couldn├óΓé¼Γäót, most self-selected and chose not to apply.”
If this were a safety thing, we’d understand a little more. 10 days of hiking, camping, and other activities is not easy, and this year it will take place at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia. Not easy terrain.
But what about those that might be considered overweight that have the will to have this kind of experience, and that could physically do it through passion and support?
Specifically, scouts with a body mass index of 40 or higher are not eligible to attend the gathering! Regardless of drive!
Banning people doesn’t seem like the best motivation — there has to be more positive ways to do that! Lift them up! Don’t crush them!
[Image via AP Images.]
