Several of my friends (both “real” and “cyber”) have suggested that joining the Cub Scouts might be a good idea for my slightly lost 8 year old, who has been pining for his best friend.
I have been looking into it and indeed, the principles sound perfect for what we were looking for:-
“The emphasis of Cub Scouting is to have fun and learn at the same time. A Cub Scout gets satisfaction from meeting challenges, having friends, feeling good about himself, and feeling he is important to other people. Cub Scouts learn new things, discover and master new skills, gain self-confidence, and develop strong friendships. A Cub Scout learns the basics of the Scout method, a simple version of the Scout Promise, and a simple version of the Scout Law. Common ways to implement the Scout method include spending time together in small groups with shared experiences, rituals, and activities. Cultivating a love and appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor activities are key elements. Primary activities include games, camping, woodcraft, first aid, aquatics, hiking and sports. Each Pack has a number of annual events at Group or District level and can join nationwide events at pack level. Camping most often occurs on a unit level, such as in the pack, but sometimes at Group or District level. For many Cub Scout and Scouters, the highlight of the year is spending up to a week in the summer as part of an outdoor activity. They can stay in a lodge, cabin or tent.
So. I contacted the local Scout group. My son has a friend who goes so they invited him along last night to see if he was going to like it. I tried to put my own prejudices aside. I was a Brownie for a bit and a Girl Guide for a bit and all I can remember doing was sitting on a toadstool saying ridiculous things and washing old ladies socks for a stupid badge I had to sew on myself. I have to say (because I am clearly a bad person) that I cannot understand why sane adults would want to volunteer their time to small children when they don’t have to.
Last night, the group met at a local church. They were to spend two and a half hours looking around the church and doing a quiz, which was not my idea of a fun night out. Do they look at all the different faiths I wonder? However, he was very excited when he came out saying “that was the most fun meeting I think I’ve ever had”. Good grief.
He proudly showed me his filled in quiz. All about the Church and Christian beliefs. One of the questions said “Do you have a favourite hymn?” and he had filled in “O Little Town Of Bentley Ham”.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Great idea! Although the church quiz might not be top of my list, I do remmeber half the fun of children’s groups/clubs being making friends outside school (so important if you’re having a miserable time there) and having a forum for giving things a go.
I was (don’t laugh) a member of the Pony Club – and loved it. Although I never did get the enthusiasm for Brownies. Too twee for me.
Something else for him to consider – the sea cadets? http://seacadets.ms-sc.org/
February 6th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Been lurking here for a while and thought I’d put in my two cents worth.
Scouts, as a volunteer run organization, depend upon the adult volunteer to survive. More importantly, any troop or pack is only as good as its leaders. A different pack with a different leader will be doing different things. If your son likes this group and its leaders, then give them a try. If not, don’t let it sour you on Scouting. Try another pack. He’ll have a different experience.
Plus, what he can gain from Scouting is really difficult to measure. My girls were Girl Scouts (we’re in Texas) all the way through school. They joined Venture Scouts, the co-ed program in the US, when they were old enough. Through Venturing, they’ve both found their path for life. Our crew is based on the idea that all of our youth, and most of our adults, will become American Red Cross instructors. We teach Wilderness First Aid twice a year for our Council. My eldest is pursuing a degree in Emergency Administration from the University of North Texas and hopes to work at the local or state government level helping to prepare communities for disasters, both natural and man-made. My youngest is a Theater Studies major at the University of Texas. The crew puts on full blown scenarios with each class complete with bloody makeup that attempt to be as realistic as possible.
Just as important are the friendships that your son can form through Scouting. Both my daughters are still in touch with friends from our Girl Scout troop despite being in college.
Sorry for the long winded comment, but I hope I’ve given you some ideas about why Scouting can be a valuable part of your son’s life.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Like you, I have rather mixed memories of my time in the cubs and scouts, but Sally absolutely adores Guides, and loved Brownies and cried when it was time to leave. They’re clearly doing something right.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Thx Mud for the idea – Sea Cadets? bloody hell – only problem with that is that it is the parents (ie me) that has to drive him somewhere near the sea every 10 minutes. Lx
Thanks TBT for leaving a message – wow – that all sounds amazing. I feel much better now. I hadn’t realised how it could shape your life to that degree. Lx
Glad Sally still loves the whole thing….that’s what it’s all about after all Lx
February 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
First, I’m sorry, I am a lurker!
I agree with the comments about meeting different people from different schools.
My boyfriend is a scout leader
(he doesn’t always say it too publically because of the connotations he feels are associated with scouts. He is honestly (!) so non-geek)and I have been dragged into joining in things e.g camp and it is a lot more fun then what guides/brownies used to be. The activities are much more varied then they might orignally appear.
I teach juniors and do recommend it to some children, as it is a good outlet for children who don’t seem to really want to comform to the “norm” of hanging around on the street. Your son sounds bright and, I think, at these groups children do tend to find more like minded people.
Anyway, while I would never be a leader as I would I tell them off too much and expected more school boundaries, I think it is good that children socialise with adults (CRB Checked,of course!)that aren’t linked with either parenst (own or friend’s)or school related.
Sorry for the mini-essay!
February 7th, 2009 at 1:28 am
interesting to read all the comments on scouts & cubs! Not something I've any experience with at all! Looking forward to hear how it all goes… Oh and I do love the Little Town of Bentley Ham…
February 7th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Wow! Glad he tried it – Little town of Bentley Ham is a classic (though it sounds like it could be a gay hymn..)
Like I have and others said before it really depends on the leaders. When I went to Brownies, it was c**p, looking back at my sash(es)- I needed two for all my badges, but I can’t remember anything I ever did to get them. My aunt however, has been deeply involved in Brownies for as long as I can remember and her pack in south London is so popular parents put their kids on the waiting list when they are only a few months old! My aunts’ pack is brilliant, so good I even volunteered during my teens to go and cook for them every Easter on their pack holiday (the pack was so big they had to hire a school hall to fit them in! and I got to use a school canteen kitchen to cook on!) – It was pretty satisfying taking these London kids, some of whom had never even seen the country before down to Canterbury, having fun and teaching them that milk actually comes from cows and not from Tesco!
If you can find a pack with younger leaders, they tend to be the most fun and creative in my experience
February 7th, 2009 at 10:58 am
This is a great idea. I was a guide and then a cub scout leader and the boys’ side of things was much more fun. It was a great way for boys to meet and use up their energy while acquiring new skills and enjoying different experiences. My brother is still friends with the boys he was in cubs and scouts with! I hope it works out similarly for your son.
(I have daughter’s name down for Rainbows already!)
February 7th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
My 16 year old son has attended Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and is now a young leader with Explorer Scouts. He has always enjoyed it, although not too keen on winter camping in minus temperatures. It has done him nothing but good, he is sociable, helpful, respectful responsible, and it hasn’t done him any harm being on his CV.
Someone else I know was having problems with her son after a divorce, so suggested Scouts as a sort of distraction. It certainly hasn’t solved all his anxieties but he much happier now, has made new friends and has something else to think about.