As we move back into our fall routines (blissful or brutal as yours may be), it’s time to reassess the activities taking up our kiddos’ time and our priceless energy. I was always drawn to the idea of my son being a boy scout. I was not, however, drawn in any way to the idea of being a “den mother”. It ends up that I was completely sideways on what scouting really is these days. We are now a year into Cub Scouts, and I’m a fan. It hasn’t consumed our lives, but has improved it. I’d like to bust some myths for you, in the hopes that you will consider checking out your local pack.
Myth: They’ll make me sell stuff.
Truth: Your family will have the chance to sell stuff like popcorn and discount cards, if you choose to. If you prefer not to, no problem! Keep in mind, however, that when your scout sells stuff, he’s paying his own way for activities, camping, etc.
Myth: All they do is go camping.
Truth: They do all sorts of things! We’ve gone to the movies, the fire station, Medieval Times, indoor skydiving, and even some long-distance overnight field trips. Yes, they camp. You might even enjoy it, once you try it. But it’s often the kind where there are bathrooms nearby, and lots of adults to help watch all the kiddos. On our last trip we even had a “kids only” tent with a TV for them to watch after it got dark. Everyone brings food and cooks together as a family. You don’t even need to own a tent in most cases. There are likely enough to lend out when needed. Not being “the camping type” is no excuse for not being the scouting type!
Myth: I have to drop my kid off with strangers at the home of someone I don’t know.
Truth: We live in Florida. No one has a creepy basement where secret meetings are taking place. We meet in school cafeterias, for the most part. And parents are expected to stay for the meeting. You don’t have to be a den leader or run activities; but you are expected to stay on hand, maybe help out when an extra set of adult eyes are needed. There should never be a time when an adult is alone with the campers. Like, ever. So if your den of boys is heading outside with the den leader to play a game of kickball and blow off some steam, (s)he’s going to need at least one other adult to tag along out there for safety’s sake.
Myth: Uniforms are required and cost a fortune.
Truth: “Class A” uniforms do cost a pretty penny; but the boys start with a “Class B” uniform, which is a $10 t-shirt. They can continue to wear this until they can afford a uniform using their scout account (see myth #1).
Myth: I’m going to get suckered into taking a leadership role and really don’t have time to be a treasurer right now.
Truth: If you’re not a sucker, don’t get suckered into anything. There are always engaged parents to fill the void. But don’t blame me if you actually enjoy the experience and are willing to use your natural talents for the good of the cause. That’s not being a sucker. It’s being a team player…says the lady who holds no leadership position in our pack…
Myth: My kid really doesn’t need to know how to tie a thousand knots or identify 30 different birds, even for a patch.
Truth: There are patches (and pins and belt loops) awarded for a myriad of activities; and many of them are actually useful in everyday life, like citizenship, doing chores around the house, learning about the stars, or how to find their way around their own neighborhood. My little dude got pretty woozy while earning his first aid patch, but he’s as proud of that as he is of his archery pin. Now he can shoot someone in the leg with an arrow and fix it!
Myth: Joining scouts will be great for my son.
Truth: Joining scouts will be great for your whole family! I’ll talk more about the perks for mom in our next segment on this topic. The rest of the family wins, too, though – if you are game. Siblings (sisters included!) can participate in many of the outings and activities. Dads can offer a lot to this type of program and get just as much out of it. And since scout meetings are usually at night, it’s the kind of program in which working parents can fully participate. When your kid becomes a scout, you become a scouting family!
Click here to find out more about your neighborhood pack. Look for flyers and tables in areas near you for recruiting events, too. These are a great way for your son to get a feel for the activities and the kinds of friends they can make (or existing friends they can find) there. Now’s the perfect time to debunk the myths and start the school year with a fun adventure for the whole family!
There is no such thing as a Class A or Class B uniform. Check the Uniform Guide.
Myth: The BSA is a para-miltary organization in which my son will learn to march in place, each c-rations and be graded on his uniform and overly militaristic adults.
Truth: While the roots of Scouting go back to Baden-Powell and many ideas came from his military career. The BSA is not a military group like Devil Pups, JROTC, etc. (all fine groups in their own venue). Only a small portion of the leadership are seeking to grade someone on their uniform or they way they describe it.
Mr. Jackson,
How disappointed I was to see that the first, and only reply on this very nice blog, was a terse one which degraded it in a minor element. Clearly any person who quotes chapter and verse from the Uniform Guide is or was a member. In your correctness and perhaps zealousness to be Helpful, and you are correct, you failed to live up to so many of the ideals of Scouting, like Courteous or Kind.
Perhaps you could have written something a little more gentle like “What a great article! So many helpful insights for a parent of a potential new Tiger Cub.
One quick point, although it is commonly used, Class A and Class B uniforms are not official BSA terminology. Instead they are correctly referred to as the field uniform and an activity shirt. I would also like to point out that the “pretty penny” for a uniform, pales in comparison to most youth activities, particularly sports like football, hockey, cheer, etc. A BSA uniform is a good investment and made to last for several years not a season.”
Myth: We already do a lot of camping and outdoors activity, so my son already known what he will learn in Scouting.
Truth: Scouting camping and the outdoors is really just the location where Scouts learn about themselves. They learn leadership, public speaking, conflict resolution, project management, and so much more in age appropriate levels. Most important they learn decision making. Scouting successes build upon each other across the weeks, months and years and carry them into adulthood.
Thanks for an enjoyable article. I’m glad that your family is having a great Scouting experience.
Thanks for the myth busting backup, Karl!
We’ve been a scouting family from Tiger to a project away from Eagle, which he needs to get his butt in motion. Scouting also teaches gun safety, I still remember when our then 9 yr old, lectured our neighbor on gun safety, when he wasn’t being safe. I have yet to regret being involved in scouting for all of these years.
What a great story, Tracy. I’m so glad you guys have enjoyed your scouting journey. We’re still new to ours!