Any positive Boy Scout experiences?

[athanasiusrc]

Boy Scouts was great. I learned so much about civics, the outdoors and leadership and it was one of the “safest” places where I didn’t get picked on for not being the jock.

I would do it again if I could and am planning on my sons being part of the program when they are old enough.

 

[newbetx]

I have to add my 2 cents here…

I did not enjoy Boy Scouts as a lad… Camping in Snow, rain, etc… I got consumed by the “fumes”… Girls and Gas.

However, I was having particular issues with my son (11 at the time), so I thought we’d give it a try. I can not begin to tell you the change I saw in him. It was unfortunate that the only place he tended to show maturity and responsibility was at Scouts at first, but those attributes are now showing up at school. It’s been a long, tough 3 years, but it has been a wonderful program for my son.

I became involved with the troop to help other kids as these parents had helped mine. I have seen very many kids get a better grip on life and values. Not all, but most have turned themselves around in the program.

The best thing about me joining was learning from the other adults just what to expect as a parent from the kids and how to deal, or sometimes, live with it…

We have a rule at our Troop… Never discipline your own son. If you see something, you don’t like, talk to another adult. It works great.

Look at several troops before joining… and camp with ones you are considering prior to joining. It’s a great program for both you and your boys!

 

[rwoehmke]

Too many to post. Am in my 55th year of Scouting, starting as a Boy Scout, then an Explorer, and now five decades as a volunteer in virtually every position in Cubbing and Scouting and in district leadership.

My “pay” is seeing that now-grownup little boy serving as Scoutmaster, Commissioner, and serving the community as a doctor, policeman, firefighter, teacher, or in other worthwhile occupations. One never made it to Eagle Scout rank, but he did become a professed religious brother.

One of “my Scouts” was present when my father suffered a heart attack and was able to keep him alive until professional help arrived; my father didn’t make it, dying en route to the hospital, but the Scout had lived up to the motto: Be Prepared.

Scouting was founded 100 years ago in England. It is now found in almost every country on Earth. In the US, a majority of the astronauts have had a Scout background, as have a good portion of the members of Congress (some, for obvious reasons, were Girl Scouts ).

Two years in Scouts as a youngster and 48 in adult positions.
I’ve attended first Eagle Courts of Honor and then weddings for some of “my boys” and my current physician was one of my Scouts back in the 60"s. Later years I have been in District positions and it all has been rewarding. All five of my sons did Cub Scouts, four did Boy Scouts as well two finished their Eagle, two made Life Scout, and one of my Eagle sons is now a full time Scout Executive and Camp Director. My oldest is also and adult volunteer, District Comissioner. I also have a dozen or so boys who worked with me to get their Ad Altari Dei awards. My oldest Scouts are now in their fifty’s so I have good friends ranging in age from 80 to 16 Boy Scouts or leaders all. The nice thing today that wasn’t so back in the 60"s is that women can be actively involved as Scouters along with their children. Even girls can join Venture Crews and Explorer Posts(for those over 14). Scouting is the only program that I know of that teaches morals and values disguised as having a good time…

 

[Jay2]

I was involved in Scouting as a boy, enrolled by my Mom! Looking back at childhood memories through adult eyes… My Mom was an Einstein! Got her son hooked up with some incredible men, and a great organization.

(My Dad was never really around the house… he was constantly at work. Gone before I got up, home after I was in bed. He worked Saturdays, and Sunday was his day to relax & not be bothered.
Didn’t have too great of a “positive Male Role Model” growing up. My closest adult male example was too busy chasing the almighty dollar, and wouldn’t take an afternoon (let alone a weekend) off to spend with his son.)

In Cubs or Scouts, you will only get out of the program what you put in. You are not only enrolling your son, but you are volunteering yourself as well. The standing joke at our Troop Committee meetings is: “It Takes a LOT of Adults to make a “Boy Run Troop” work!”

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Our Troop is more biased to outdoor activities. We have a weekend (or longer) camping outing every month - regardless of weather or conditions. Other Troops in our area are more “Academic”, some are more “Sports”. You need to visit them, attend a few meetings, TALK to the Committee Chair & Scoutmaster and make your own decision if this or that Troop “fits”.

I use skills learned in Scouting every single day… and not just when to tie a bowline hitch, or square-knot when it’s appropriate!
I’m talking about Leadership, Organizational, and Delegational skills & tactics to get a job done. Your son will NOT learn these skills in school - they are not “PC”.

Scouting is also one of the only organizations that still makes God & Country a core component of its program. Nearly all other youth programs have removed these elements from their programs.

I’ve had the honor & privilege of watching 6 (my DS inclusive) young men grow up from 1st grader “Tiger Cubs” now into “1st & 2nd Class” Scouts and great 12 year olds. I’d trust my life to these boys… wait a minute… I HAVE trusted my well-being to these boys! They know what to do, how to do it, or most importantly - keeping a cool head and knowing how to get help!

Trust me on this, and other Eagles will attest… Having these simple words on the bottom of your resume will open doors for your son…

“Personal Accomplishments, Training, Hobbies”
EAGLE SCOUT

Someone from an HR department will see those words, and know… anything I throw at this applicant will get done… quickly, efficiently, and correctly!

I’m 42 years old and still proudly wear the uniform… why? Because I’m an Assistant Scoutmaster. I have taken the training, donated my time and have earned the honor of still being able to wear the uniform.

If I teach just one boy a skill, help them through a difficult task, or am present at a “WOW, I DID IT” event… everything that I was taught as a young Scout, and everything I’ve sacrificed as an Adult Scout is instantly validated and worthwhile.

“Positive Boy Scout Experiences”???
I have them every week of the year

 

[MSJoan]

Boy Scouting is not out of date. Through rank progression (advancement); merit badges; and activities, the boys learn a great deal about themselves. Many have discerned their careers and vocations through Scouting. One of the active Scouters in our diocese is a priest, ordained over 50 years ago. This Eagle Scout still participates in campouts, jamborees, and summer camp - no cabin for him, he just bought a new tent!

My Eagle Scout husband is an active member of our Troop Committee - we are sponsored by a Methodist Church. Our son is on track to complete his Eagle requirements by summer. I am a religious emblem counselor and active in the diocesan Catholic Committee on Boy Scouting. I am amazed at the types of questions these scouts feel comfortable asking me - like the 12 year old Scouts wanting to discuss whether it is right to kiss - the same Scouts who enjoyed visiting a seminary while earning their Ad Altare Dei (religious) emblem…Scouting is truly Youth Ministry.

One thing I think people need to remember is Scouting is primarily a volunteer activity. There are professional Scouters, but at the troop level, it’s volunteers; and all the issues this presents. While Cub Scouts is parent led; Boy Scouts is boy led. The key is balanced mentoring. Parental supervision is absolutely necessary, but sometimes boys have to make mistakes to learn. The process of selecting a unit is important. Optimally, boys will spend more time with the unit than in high school or college - so time should be taken to experience meetings and activities with the area units prior to selecting the unit to join. If after joining the fit isn’t good, don’t quit Scouting. Look for another unit; not all units are right for all boys.

A long winded way of saying yes, Scouting is relevant today - perhaps we need it even more now.

 

[drafdog]

Scouting was great fun when I was young. I think that boys should be encouraged to get outdoors more. Too many spend hours with video games that have no real value.

Re. :The Scout Law: courteous, kind, brave
There is a great value in learning to follow the Scout Law. But it shows lack of courtesy, unkindness and lack of courage on the part of the national leadership to exclude boys because they may be homosexual. The boys should be taught to accept others the way they are. We are going to live in community with these people for the rest of our lives. We shouldn’t just push them away.
If your son is straight, having a fellow scout who is homosexual is not going to effect him. You’re raising him with due concern and caution and shouldn’t worry. Let him go and have fun.

Matthew
former Cub, Scout, Asst. Scoutmaster

 

[Jay2]

Matthew
former Cub, Scout, Asst. Scoutmaster

“Former”??? Why?

There is a great value in learning to follow the Scout Law. But it shows lack of courtesy, unkindness and lack of courage on the part of the national leadership to exclude boys because they may be homosexual.

I’ll agree… living by the Scout Law will grant tremendous value to those who abide by it… - it reinforces what is RIGHT.

Homosexuality is WRONG. It is against God and the natural order He has created.
This is why Scouting has NOT removed a person’s duty to GOD or Country from the Oath that the youngest Scout learns, and all Scouts recite at every meeting.

As far a lack of courtesy or kindness - you are wrong … a Scout will selflessly help ANYONE in need. If you’re hurt, lost, whatever, a Scout will help you - regardless of “orientation”… and NEVER request payment or compensation.

Courage? I can find no better example of Courage than a youth organization of 100 years tenure NOT bending it’s rules to comply with society’s current “warm fuzzy” attitude.
Baden Powell knew what was right, and the program he developed has a 100 year record of taking boys and turning them into upstanding leaders & exemplary men.

Scout Oath:
On my Honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

I suggest you re-read pages 47 to 54 of the current Boy Scout Handbook. They detail the 12 points of the Scout Law. To quote:

The Scout Law is the foundation of Scouting. It is expressed in just twelve simple points, but the standards they set for you are high. Use the Scout Law to guide your actions when you are alone and as a member of your family, community, and nation. The Scout Law will show you how to live as a boy and as a man.

 

[Black_Jaque]

But it shows lack of courtesy, unkindness and lack of courage on the part of the national leadership to exclude boys because they may be homosexual.

I think your facts are a little off the mark. As far as I know the BSA will allow homosexual boys to be scouts. What they do NOT allow is homosexual men to be scoutmasters.

They have also barred atheist boys from being scouts. That’s for the simple reason that it’s impossible for an atheist to take the Scout Oath.

So far I’m impressed with how well the Scouts has dealth with these matters. They’ve managed to parse the issues right along the line of truth.

 

[athanasiusrc]

Accepting others the way they are sounds great but where do you draw the line? Petty theft? Incest? Religious bigot? Racial bigot? Some things you just can’t accept.

As a Catholic, I can’t accept another’s behavior as okay if such behavior is going to send him to Hell. Such acceptance is the opposite of charity and kindness.

 

[Uzumaki_Naruto]

I had some awesome experiences as a boy scout. I went all the way through the program, from cub scouts to Eagle Scout. I worked as a staff member at my council’s boy scout camp for 3 summers. Some of the great people I’ve met through the scouting experience will always remain friends with me, and 4 of them work in the same company I work at now.

Boy scouts is a really positive experience where you can learn a lot, but like a lot of things, you get what you put into it. If you coast through and do the bare minimum, then you aren’t going to get much out of it. If you give more effort, you will get more reward out of it,

 

[APCatholicMama]

Our family has had a bad scouting experience but we like Boy Scouts overall. It seems here in San Diego that most of our scouting dens/troops are mostly lead by LDS men and they are rather pushy (in a very sneaky way) with their faith . But, I like what boys scouts is all about and the activities were great.

I know this is OT but is anyones son involved in Columbian Squires through the K of C? DS#2 is and he loves it. We have seen such a change in how he sees himself as a male Catholic. He actively supports his parrish and takes his role very seriously. We can not say enough good things about the Squires!

 

[Andy11]

As an Eagle scout, Boy Scouts was one of the best things I ever did.
In response to the previous poster, I was a member of a troop based out of a Catholic church and this made it all the better. Prayer before and after meetings, Catholic religious awards, first Monday adoration, etc. The adult leaders were also good Catholic role models for us.

 

[Black_Jaque]

Andy,

Tell me about this First Monday Adoration.

First Monday of the month I take it. Did the whole troop go to adoration? At the Church or a specific chapel?

Did you do anything before or afterwards?

 

[Black_Jaque]

Athanasius,

The scouts draws a line between desires and behavior. You could have all sorts of desires to steal, all sorts of hateful thoughts about people of another race, or all sorts of perverted sexual impulses, but so long as you don’t ACT on them, you can be a boy scout. The idea is to take boys with all sorts of whacky tendencies and out-of-control thoughts and teach them self-mastery and guide them towards the good.

 

[chevalier]

I have no experience with scouting because of two things in my life when I was a boy: dislike of physical educaiton, gymnastics and the like; dislike of similar structures (still don’t exactly love organisations). However, post-WW2 Polish culture, especially in the more patriotic environments, is heavily saturated with the scouting ethos. There is a living memory of those young people lavishly laying their just begun lives in sacrifice for their homeland and the values they grew up with - and the Christian faith indeed, as that’s what the Nazi and the communists opposed. Some were sentenced to death by communist courts and executed before becoming legally adult.