For those who were ever in cub/boy scouts .....?

Question

Do you feel being a cub/boy scout made an influence on your life? My son is finishing being a Wolf in second grade. He likes it but not always. Sometimes it's a battle to get him to go to his den meeting (once a month) other times he's fine and excited. I guess my question is....it is time consuming as a parent getting him to achieve all the achievements each year and wondering if we should keep encouraging him to continue scouts when sometimes he says no he doesn't want to do it next year? Do you feel it made you a better person later in life by being in scouts?

Answer 1

decades ago, specifically, in the late 50's and early 60's I went the Cub Scout, Boy Scout route. Cub Scouts fit decently, but by the time I got to Boy Scouts, the image had passed me by. Back then it was more of a traditional, "he's of age" rite of passage. Children today have much more on their plates and advance much faster than we did then. There are too many opportunities and pursuits that occupy the time, which was Cub SCouts biggest allure back then. To get out of the house and hang around with your friends and learn things. If your son doesn't have a lot of friends also pursuing scouting, he would probably rather spend his time with the same kids he hangs around. Realize this is a round about answer and not very straight forward, but the bottom lone is that I think scouting is something on the way out in today's society. Which might be unfortunate, but it is hard to compete with handhelds as opposed to learning how to tie knots.

Answer 2

I was a Cub Scout from 1972-1976, Boy Scout from 1976-1978, Den Leader from 1996-1998,and 2004-2006, Cubmaster and Den Leader from 2006-today, I shall stay with the Cubbies till the day I am not  having fun, after that, they have 30 days to replace me (I said that 12 years ago, I'm still here). I had the only Cub Scout Den ever chosen by the BSA as a Special Honor Unit, which includes the two most decorated Cub Scouts ever.

I can not imagine what my life would have been without being a part of the Cub Scouts, first as a Cub Scout, then as a staff member. The lessons I have learned from my Bear, and Webelos days have permitted me to be in the right place, with the right training to save a total of 6 lives (7 if you count the dog).

I am gratified to see that you encourage your son to participate in the Scouting program, many parents push their children into summer sporting programs. To date, I have not heard any Presidents, Astronauts, or Senators thanking their Soccer Coach for their success

Answer 3

I am 60 years old, went threw Boy Scouts and loved it. I still use skill that I was taught back then. They have some great values that kids are not learning today. God, Country, Family etc.

Answer 4

my grandson was a cub scout for 2 years and most of the time he enjoyed it. There were times when I had to remind him of his commitment to his den for the whole of the school year though. I was the den leader, which helped as I worked really hard to make it interesting for my large den. When he decided that he didn't want to commit for a whole other year, I didn't push too hard. When he quit, I stopped being the den leader and 2/3 of the den quit too, which was too bad- but the guy who took over was not very good at relating to kids.

Answer 5

I am a mom of an Eagle Scout,  Yes it is worth it.  if they are in a good troop,  He will benefit so much from it.  He will learn skills that will help him in every aspect of his life,  it will help him to make good decissions,  

I know that my son knows exactly what to do if he is ever in a life or death situation.  He can keep himself and anyone else with him safe from harm.  

If your son decides to go into the service when he is older, he will enter at a higher rank then those with  out scouting,  

believe me when I say that employers look at Scouts with respect.  Jere's being a scout has helped him obtaine  Jobs,  And the leadership skills he obtained has gotten him many promotions.

I honestly have seen nothing but good come from my son being in scouting.

yes there were times we had to drag him to meetings kicking and screaming but most of the time he couldn't wait to go.  and there was a point and time that he wanted to quit, but he didn't.  

He is now 21 years old and he is glad he was in scouting.  He realises he had many opportunities that other kids never had and will probably never have.  He is much more mature then his friends, he never became involved in drugs or alcohol and he has been out on his own scince he turned 18 matter of fact he was living on his own his entire senior year. Got him self up and off to school and had perfect attendance.  

I really think Scouting is worth it.   If you can keep him going, I would definately  do it.

Answer 6

It's helped me i'm and Eagle Scout i'm 18 years old, so I am an Assistant Scoutmaster now, and I have enjoyed scouting a lot. It has definently made me a better person.

Answer 7

It will only make an impact on his life if he is interested in it.  If he doesnt like it I wouldnt make him go back in to it.. He is almost old enough to make his own decissions on what extra activities he really is interested in.. My son was in it for one year and decided not to stay in it any longer.

Answer 8

I was in Girl Scouts and I do feel that it helped me in the sense I was able to use it on early applications to jobs to show that I was able to make a  commitment and stick to it. Not to mention that I got both the Silver and Gold award while in Girl Scouts (the Gold being equivalent to the Boy Scout Eagle Award) and it gave me such a feeling of achievement. Scouts wasn't always fun for me....especially when I was in a troop where I felt all alone and left out at times, but I stuck with it because I knew it would be good for me in the long run.

Answer 9

well, im a junior girl scout if that counts. i love it, u learn alot in a fun way, and stuff.

Answer 10

I know my husband quit, and came to regret it.  He wishes he had followed through with it.   He is very glad that he had at least some of the Boy Scout experiences - camp etc., but wishes now he had more.

My son is a Tiger and we are working really hard to keep him engaged.  My husband is the Den leader for that reason.

Try to keep him engaged in it.  Perhaps seek another Pack that does more "fun" stuff.

Answer 11

All my kids are in scouts.  I think that it's like learning an instrument; sometimes they like it, other times they dislike the level of effort and commitment required, but in the end, it makes them a better person.

Answer 12

I wasn't in boy scouts per se, but in sea scouts for 6 years. I also volunteered in boy scout camps. As far as scouting being a great influence and a great experience, it was the best. Learning survival skills, discipline, and team building skills are essential to many young children because many don't get that in schools or playgrounds. Scouts are known to save other people and are more likely to stay calm in emergency situations.

As with any group, there were times where i absolutely hated being a part of it, because sometimes the littlest things go wrong and you just want to quit.

Its remember and remind a child that this would happen and that you would like it for them to try to stick it through, but making a child go through stuff they clearly and persistently don't want to is not good either. I remember loving scouts because i could get away from parentals, while other peers would hate it because they were made to go.