Belt Loops

As far as I know, there are no manuals for belt loops on the net. Your
Scout Supply store or BSA has booklets on all the sports and academics,
as well as leader's guides. These are needed for the award pins--but
are not necessary for the belt loops.
I took a class at PowWow two years ago that was taught by one of the
members of the committee that wrote the Cub athletic program. He was
quite clear that belt loops are meant to encourage the boys to "try out"
a sport or academic activity. In his explanation, if a boy learns the
basics of how to play and plays the sport one time, he has earned the
belt loop. The idea is that the boy now knows enough to choose to
continue the sport or not.
Sports pins are a different matter. They require that the boys study
the booklet to learn the rules, and play the sport--or work on the
academic--to earn 60 points (each point is 1/2 hour of participation) in
90 days. In other words, they must practice, play, or otherwise be
involved in the sport for 30 hours during a 3-month period.
Belt loops are a great way to really encourage a boy to try things--we
give out 4-5 for every boy who goes to Day Camp, as they normally learn
Volleyball, Marbles, Archery, and Ultimate there. The one for BB Guns
can only be issued by the BSA camp, at least in my Council. Pins can be
used for boys that are in team sports, and helps to really tie Scouting
into Little League and other programs that parents often perceive as
"competitors" to Scouts.
Hope this helps--
Kelly Parker
CM, Pack 43, Phoenix

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