Re: Personal Fitness MB

Requirement 7 reads "From the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet,
perform the physical fitness test (chapter 8) with your patrol leader,
Scoutmaster, parent, or advisor BEFORE doing the next two requirements. Be
evaluated above the 50th percentile in the aerobic endurance test,
flexibility test, and muscular strength test."
There would seem to be little room for interpretation here on the one hand
but there are other points to consider, especially soon when PF is a stand
alone eagle required badge. The percentile norms listed are statistics. If
you are at the 50th percentile then you are better than half but not as
good as the other half in that test. Since you are supposed to be better
than the 50th p. in all three areas in reality even less than 50% of scouts
would qualify if they represent a normal cross section of the age specific
populations noted in the pamphlet. Can this be fair? Less than half of
scouts could ever hope to be an eagle statistically. Yes I know in reality
its much less but I assume from my experience that at least as many jocks
who might easily pass the test drop out as ones who can't do it.
It is also a given that each scout can use alternate requirements for eagle
based on disabilities. Somewhere in the middle of this is where I interpret
my role as counselor and SM. If a boy tries hard and shows significant
improvement I believe he is meeting the spirit of the badge. The other
requirements are equally important and involve some very valuable
information on health issues that could easily take a semester to cover.
My personal take.
John Sucher MD and SM; eagle x 2

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