Cub Scouts?

[fastfredracing]

Went to sons school introduction last night. On they way out the door , the cub scouts were passing out information. One of the cub scout leaders was my sons friends father. Later in the evening, my son expressed some interest in becoming a scout.
I did it for one year, I remember thinking it was sort of corny, but a cool side benefit was that I could wear my cub scout outfit with a pocket knife hanging off my belt loop to school ( the good old days, they would arrest you for this now). I quit after one year. The pinewood derby was sort of cool, I remember building , and painting that little car with my dad.
I remember hearing some pretty bad press about the scout organization a while back.
Think there is any real benefit to be had for a 6-7 year old boy? Any of you guys active in scouting ?

[stomachmonkey]

I was a scout, my boy did it for a couple of years.

The experience will largely be determined by the den/pack/troop leader.

They are all a bit different.

Give it a go, what do you have to lose?

[porsche4life]

I will not deny to you that the organization has its issues Fred, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I would say scouting had the greatest influence in making me who I am today, and my eagle scout rank means more to me than anything. I worked harder for that than any school work.

The experience is very dependent on the local group of course, which is why you won't see the effect if the national BS very often. Stay involved yourself, and you can guarantee the best experience for your son.

Do it Fred, no one ever regrets being in scouting...

[Eric 951]

Give it a go. We did some great things--lots of conservation projects, visited historical sites, went camping alot--learned some useful outdoors skills, marched in the 4th of July parade every year, pinewood derby, etc.

Going to Heritage Reservation for a week each year was a highlight.

[red-beard]

I loved scouting. The problem for me was my troop wasn't very good and fell apart eventually. It was a well to do community and I guess none of the parents could bother.

I joined another troop which was far far better. It focused on camping, canoeing and survival type things. Everyone in the troop, all of the leaders, were accomplished hikers and campers. It was more "inner city". I was teased for being the "rich boy". Great experience for me.

Younger scouts were taken on smaller hikes with the older scoutmaster. The bigger boys (13 and up) did the harder hike. Every summer was a 1-2 week canoe trip (50 miler). Winter was winter camping to sub-zero temps.

Don't just join the local troop. Look around and find one which matches the personality of you and your son.

[cashflyer]

In scouting, as in life, a child's path to success or failure is determined by the parents.

To get a scouting experience that has a lasting, positive impact, the kid needs to have (a) a good troop/pack/den leader, and (b) a parent who is interested and involved, and doesn't just treat the scout meeting as a "free afternoon daycare center".

[masraum]

Scouting is a good thing, Cub and Boy.

Originally Posted by cashflyer

In scouting, as in life, a child's path to success or failure is determined by the parents.

To get a scouting experience that has a lasting, positive impact, the kid needs to have (a) a good troop/pack/den leader, and (b) a parent who is interested and involved, and doesn't just treat the scout meeting as a "free afternoon daycare center".

+1

[Jim Richards]

I enjoyed the experience.

[VINMAN]

Scouting gave me some of the best times in my life. Started form scratch, and worked to way up to become Scoutmaster of my troop. As previously posted, it all depends on the people running the show.

The downfall of my troop was the lack of participation of the kids parents. it was a joke. They would come to me complaining about their kids not going on trips. I would tell them "well we have a trip planned next month, are you available to drive?" I'd always get an answer like. " I have a golf tournament that day. or, I have to cut my grass that weekend..etc, etc..." I'd say well I guess then I have no way of getting them there, so that why they dont go anywhere.

[fanaudical]

My son (who just graduated high school this year) would have become a very different man if not for the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs. He didn't make Eagle, but he did learn all the important stuff and that's what made it worthwhile.

I helped start a new Pack when he decided he wanted to join. I've spent the last 12 years as an adult leader in the BSA and have found the experience to be rewarding for many young men (and me as well).

If your son goes in as a Tiger Cub, please don't make any "stay/go" decisions while a Tiger Cub. The Tiger program is very "loose" and doesn't have a lot of depth. Stick through at least him being a Wolf or Bear Scout.

[LWJ]

Similar opinion and experience. The BSA organization is so-so. The individual leaders make it. Pine Wood Derby is fantastic. My boy (10) just left his original group which had an alcoholic leader. Still. We made some very good friends - both kids and leaders. We just joined a new group and I think this will be a significant improvement.

On a different note. I have two girls - both involved in Girl Scouts. I believe Girl Scouts is a far better organization than Boy Scouts. They just seem to have their stuff together.

Good luck! Should be fun.

Larry

[VaSteve]

My son just did Tiger and I would agree its a lot looser than Wolf, which starts soon. My son is competitive, so earning the badges is a big deal.to him. I need to focus that energy. Yes, it is very parent dependant. Like any volunteer organization. I'd say go for it. I'm not into the uniforms and stuff myself, but i like seeing the positive effect is has on the kids. Its a bit different than the little league. I had no appreciation for somw of those threads until my son joined and I have seen some of the drama there.

[Tishabet]

I am an Eagle scout like porsche4life so I am a bit biased, but I think scouting is great. It is absolutely true that your son's experience is going to depend on the pack/troop leadership... Which is a good reason for you to get involved.

My troop was great, a truly "boy run" troop where the adults were there to enable, but the boys led. We camped once per month, year round, and did 50 miler backpacking trips etc. I think this is critical, no point in learning all of these skills if you are not out using them.

If you were not a scout or don't feel like you have "scouting skills" that is all the more reason for you to become part of the organization to help shape the experience for your son. Try it out, you might like it!

[cstreit]

My son has recently joined. I was a scout through Boyscouts too...

I signed him up for the socialization aspect, his favorite school friends are in his pack. Additionally they plan activities that I want to do with him, saves me the effort and time. Fishing Derbies, Camping Trips, basic weapon safety, common sense.

I ignore the politics as what really matters is your local pack, politics don't play in at that level.

One thing I've noticed, they are a LOT more focused on patches than we were 30 years ago...

[M.D. Holloway]

Our Son has been involved from the beginning as a Tiger Scout. He is now a Boy Scout and in 2 years will most likely achieve his Eagle rank. As a Cub it is a commitment by the parents more than the boys - they do learn stuff and have fun and ya its a littlew corny but harmless. As they get older and 'bridge over' to a Boy Scout troop it is really meant to be Scout Run Scout Lead - parents begin to step back. In the right troop a young man can flourish and learn things and develop confidence that he will take with him through life.

We have seen our son grow into a young man that has a work ethic unlike other kids his age, heck more so than most adults! He also has gained anamazing amount of confidence that only comes from having to organize and run meetings and camp outs.

There was a time he wanted out but I wouldn't allow it. I told him that the world is full of men who quit and regreted it but I never met a man that quit before becoming an Eagle and didn't regret it. So the question is, do you want to live a life of regret or fulfillment? He became a Senior Patrol Leader Shortly after that speech I gave him. He has earned over 29 MBs and needs only 3 more Eagle required to make rank (plus his project).

When he starts complaining about all the extra work he has to do for Scouts combined with his music, school work and sports I remind him that not many kids his age can show legit achievements. I ask him how many boys his age and even older have been able to acomplish what he has and run a lawn business and have over a few hundred cash in their wallets that THEY EARNED - not mommy daddy money.

My advice, stick with Scouts and if you don't like something about how the Pack is run, get involved and work to change it. Thats what I did back in the day. It makes a world of difference.

He (and you) won't regret it. I promise you that.

[emcon5]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I remember hearing some pretty bad press about the scout organization a while back.

Without trying to PARF this up, the only bad press I recall recently is the same bad press they have been getting for the past 20+ years, regarding their stance on gays.

I was in scouts through the 5th grade, and enjoyed it. Probably would have been in longer, but we moved, and never bothered to look up a new troop.

Looking forward to participating with my son when he is older. Hoping to introduce some of my Navy land survival training to the camp outs

[daepp]

I was an Eagle Scout so I too am a bit biased.

- My son earned his Eagle early this year, and for us it was a great experience.
- For Cubs, it's mostly just fun, and the Pack you choose is not all that important - so long as you like it.
- For Scouts, it's all about the outings. At 11 or 12 find a troop that fits your son:
- is he a backpacker, or a car camper
- does he like the high adventure stuff. etc

We have had the best father-son experiences through the Scouts.

[Aggie93]

I would agree with the consensus here. I did Cub and Buy Scouts. I didn't reach Eagle, but the one under it and wish i would have stay with it for another 6-12 months.

Some of my best memories are from scouting and I think it establishes a good foundation for personal development.

[Rikao4]

no Kids..
so I'm just throwing this out..

do it..
do something with him..
don't just give him another gameboy..

early exposure too..
this is right /that is wrong..
will save you yrs of WTF happened with him..
or those rolling eyes as you look at his Nose piercing's..

Rika

[vash]

my cub scout troop was lame.

i did love that uniform. but all we did was make stupid things. i remember making a paper machet "liberty bell"..like i said, lame.

the pinewood derby was a blast. my parents were not engineers AT ALL. i remember my dad's butcher helping me build the car..i found paint, it was that orange highway paint..my car was tangerine..and it was UGLY. i came in second..hahha.

my most humiliating moment..we were supposed to bake a cake for a cake sale. my mom read the instructions, "no help from parents" and stayed out of it as ordered. kid baked cakes. she stood by so i didnt burn the house down. i made a bunt cake, with fruit filling..it was horrid. chocolate cake with a fruilt filling. i carried it into the school gym and was stunned!! all the kids cheated!! they had these elaborate 3d cakes!! no effen way the parents didnt step in.. i put my cake down on the table, among all the other professional looking cakes. man, i was crestfallen. and you know what? the cakes were for sale!! my mom was prepped to buy my abomination..i sunk into my seat..some man saw me all worried, and bid big on my cake..it was the first to sell. i still remember that. nice man.

weeblos? nahhh..i quit.