I am looking into getting my son involved in scouts, but want a realistic expectation. Can you guys who are involved give me an idea of the pros/cons of the program and how your kids like it? Thanks!
My daughters were both involved in Girl Scouting, and I was a leader. We learned much and had alot of fun in the process. I have a friend that is an Eagle Scout, I do not know much about it but I know colleges look on that as a major accomplishment. I am sure someone will post that has experience with scouting, I just don't, sorry. The whole Girl Scout organization will be joining AccuKidz in a few months. I am looking forward to talking to scouts from across the world. I see you are moving. Scouting is a wonderful way for your son to meet children in the area and to form lifelong friends. Good luck to you, BeckyB
My girls are also involved in Girl Scouts. My son isn't a Boy Scout yet because as a 1st grader, he'd have to have a parent at EVERY meeting and I just can't do that and DH works most evenings....and my girls aren't really old enough to stay home by themselves after dark. In 2nd grade, you generally don't have to attend every meeting so if he wants to be in scouts next year, we'll sign him up. The biggest thing is finding a troop that fits. Our girls were previously in a small troop and loved the closeness of that but because it wasn't a large troop, they often didn't have the money to do really big things (even with cookie sales). When we moved, we joined the local troop in our neighborhood and it's huge. The girls don't always like the larger size but have enjoyed the bigger events they can do with a larger group and the larger cookie sales too. The girls don't seem quite as excited this year about scouts but they're sticking it out and we'll determine if they want to continue next year. Rhonda
Nope, you dont' have to be there. We do go and stay at the meetings, as to all of the other parents in my sounds Den. In 4th grade he will be a Weblo, which is when the real fun stuff starts happening. Our son just went to a winter camp.. and they about froze :lol: But really they all had a blast!! This past summer they went to Gettysburg camping and then went back this fall to do a 9 mile hike and play in Devil's Den some more.. because the boys all think that is the greatest place on earth! We will be going back in the spring to tour a farm there.. they are working on a special Gettysburg badge, and the farm is the last part of it. Sadly Gettysburg is over 2 hours away from here. We will get our younger kids in scouts as they become of age for them.. as we feel they are a great experience, and as parents, we have fun with it too
I definitely want to go to meetings, just wanted to make sure it wasn't required, since there may be times I have to run errands/etc. Wow, it sounds so fun!
You're going to have to realize every leader behaves differently. Some are very laid back, some are more controlling. Ours doesn't want parent involvement unless she invites the parent. She's very 'my way or the highway'. I have never been allowed to help in the 4 years Jeannie has been in there. I've also had huge problems with this girl in the past. She dislikes me and I cannot figure out why. I let Jeannie continue because none of her attitude is directed at Jeannie, and Jeannie likes her. I wish it were different, but at least I know I'm not the cause of the problems.
Every troupe is going to be different. My dd 12 was in brownies 6 years ago and it was terrible. They did nothing the whole year. She sold cookies but whil eother troupes were enjoying themselves at Build A Bear and Libby Lu our girls did nothing. I have no idea where the money went. We just never went back. Some people have great experiences and it is wonderful and others don't have such good luck.
I have a Boy Scout and 3 American Heritage Girls (They got a scholarship.). I also have a professional Boy Scout (DH). All of them love it. Is it actually national BSA policiy to require parents to be present with Tiger Cubs. Once they are second grade (Wolf) the parents shouldn't have to stay. I've found that BSA has many more protective measures in place than the other scout groups. Our AHG Troop allows an adult male to be one-on-one with girls during their board of reviews. I told my dh that, and he says that's NOT happening with our girls- for their sakes and his.
Oh, we had a TERRIBLE experience with Girl Scouts. Girls were unning around like crazy for an hour each week! I finally volunteered to help, but the other leader took 3 months to send my registration in, and when I called the Council about training, they blew me off an told me only one leader per troop needed training.
I have seen drastically different groups, and it is all about who the leader is. Luckily in most areas if you do not click with one leader there is always another one not too far away, you just go to the troop that has the best fit for you. Big troops are really hard to control without helpers. I just don't know how (or why) someone would try to do it on their own. Perhaps a call to your local council would help. The secretaries do get to interact with some of the leaders and they may be able to point you in the direction of a troop that would be right for you. BeckyB
Even with training, Pam, that doesn't guarantee a quality leader, sadly. I'm very disillusioned with GS. I believe in their principles, but they are worthless if the leader doesn't buy into them herself, and behave like she does.
This is a good idea for Boy Scouts, but ask to speak with your District Exectutive (DE). They are the employees that oversee volunteers, troops/packs, activities in a specific area. The DE should be familiar with all leaders and units in your area. Oh, I know!! That's why we got out. I was just amazed that I wanted training so I could be a good leader, and the Council just brushed me off. What kind of leaders do they expect with that kind of attitude?
We had a bad GS troop for our first run. The leader was awful; all they did was eat candy and drink soda, and for activities they went to the park. There was no communication - meetings would be canceled with little or no notice - and my DD didn't earn a badge the four months she was with them. I talked to a friend from church and switched my DD to her troop. This leader is very organized - she sends out monthly newsletters, email reminders, activities in and out of the meetings that we can take part in as a "friends" group, unofficially. We work on a different badge with each meeting. We have a large troop - about 30 kids - which makes it difficult, but parents frequently stick around to help out, and we have a co-leader or whatever you call it. Our first leader never turned in our cookie orders - my DD sold over 150 boxes on her own (they didn't do anything as a troop) - and as far as I know, council is still chasing her down six months later. Fortunately, she never asked for our cookie money, so I turned it in to the new leader. So, to repeat what was said before, you can have a crummy leader, but you can also move around. For us, the massive amount of organization makes up for the extra driving. And the massive amount of fun DD has. SG
