Boys Scouts

The boys are usually assigned to a "den" ..... usually it is just the kids in the meeting and the den adult leaders, but that may vary. The kids meet in the den several times a month (once a week, maybe?) and once a month for the "pack" meeting where the different dens get together, sometimes for awards. As they get older, they can do things like hikes, camp-outs, and stuff like that.

Religion doesn't matter.... there is an award that scouts of certain ages can try for that is tied into different religions, and if your child is interested in working on that, you can usually find a sponsor that will help him with it, depending on your den. This link may give some more info about the different religious awards.... but don't worry.... you don't HAVE to work on that award.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/ReligiousAward...

My daughters were all Girl Scouts, and my son was a Boy Scout, also. He is now 19.

Different families value different types of activities... some are really into sports activities, where we weren't into that so much. I grew up in a Scouting family, as did my husband, so that is the direction we went. This is just another activity where children can learn not only how to get along with others, but how to work together to accomplish things..... all very valuable skills to practice!

I agree with the answers you have received so far. Scouting is very worthwhile. It will be up to the den leader on whether or not you can bring your younger child. In our den, we allowed it, but I must say I was not happy if that child did not behave while at my house. But I did respect the parents who stayed with their boys more than those who would drop off their child. It seemed they were just looking for free babysitting.
My older son is an Eagle and my younger one will be soon. Reaching this rank is a very big deal and very worthwhile.

You've already gotten some really great responses! All of Cub Scouting is a very family oriented activity and parents are encouraged to attend and be involved with anything they want to. If your son is joining as a first grader he will be called a Tiger, and the Den he will belong to will most likely be all first graders also. For the Tiger year, it is required that the boys have an adult partner to participate with them. (Whether that is a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, good friend, etc. is up to the family). The Pack consists of all the Dens together (1st-5th grade) and they usually meet once a month to do an awards ceremony. The whole family is invited to these.

Every pack is different, so a lot of the specifics may vary. If you don't find one that works for you, there is probably another pack nearby you can also look into. In our group, siblings are welcome to attend, but like another response says it does depend on the facility you meet and your leaders. We are able to have everyone pay the $15 registration fee and then we do one fundraiser per year (selling popcorn in the fall) that covers all of our other costs. There are occasionally field trips that cost money that we will have everyone pay their own entrance fees, but that is the exception and is always optional. Most of the field trips we do are free. Again, this will vary from group to group. Some groups do a fundraiser for their income, others may also charge weekly dues, so definitely ask the pack your are looking to join how they operate. As a policy, scouting is never denied a boy based on income, so if there are financial barriers to joining, talk to your local council. There are scholarships and uniform banks to help out.

My oldest boys just earned their Arrow of Light this year (the highest Cub Scout achievement) and my youngest will be starting as a Tiger this year. It has been a great family activity for all of us and has provided some wonderful activities and opportunities for my kids.

If your son is kindergarten age, he is probably going to be more in Cub Scouts, rather than Boy Scouts yet. And yes, you can be any religion and be involved, or no religion at all, though they do emphasize upholding a moral code that is religious-based as well as tolerance and respect. If there is a Cub Scout den leader, I would be talking with them.

My brother was in Cub Scouts for 3 - 4 years, got his Webleo (sp?) badge (last step) but didn't go on to Boy Scouts after that. My uncle was heavily involved in Scouts as a troop leader and both of his sons (my cousins) as well as the oldest son's son, earned Eagle Scout ranks.

As for why people don't, I'm sure they have their individual reasons. I know it can be a big time commitment and when my stepsons were that age, they wanted to try it but their mom didn't want to because of the amount of time involved, as well as the money it cost (although their dad was more than happy to help out, beyond the child support). I know if I had a son, that would be on my list of things to try to get him involved in. My daughter is 3 and I think she can do Daisy Scouts in K and 1st grade before becoming a Girl Scout.

My husband did boy scouts until he became an eagle scout. A den meeting is just a weekly meeting for the scouts. They talked about stuff for advancing, merit badges, planned events, played and bonded. Mainly, it was for working on merit badges and advancement. Do you want your preschooler to be in scouts, or are you bringing them along with you, while your other child is participating. If you're bringing the preschooler along, it depends on the troupe and location if they can come. There is a requirement, that there is a belief in one God. It does not specify a "christian" God. Make sure you are OK with Christian rhetoric, and most troupes are associated with churches. (In boy scouts at least, I don't know about cub scouts.) They don't beat you over the head and it's not talked about all the time, or anything.

To answer why not all people do it. First, there is an associated cost that might be too much for some people. Some kids just want to do sports. There used to be a "geek" stereotype involving scouts, because of the uniforms. They have changed it up, and it's not so much like that anymore. Many kids don't prefer the outdoorsy type things.

If you have any more questions, you can message me :)

My brothers were boy scouts, but they joined through our church. (we were raised mormon...) My step brother (NOT mormon) did scouts for a little while, but he decided he didn't like it and quit. I would say go for it! Boy scouts always looks good on college applications. Plus, it got my brother some extra $$$ in his enlistment bonus when he joined the Marines. I don't know where to point you for more info though, sorry.

Den meetings are the meetings for the individual groups to meet, work on requirements, and have fun. Pack meetings are for all the dens to come together for activities, advancements, etc. Scouts are very family oriented so other children can attend but keep in mind that depending on their age and the activity, you may find it to be a challenge sometimes.

All religions should be accepted and the religious aspects are family guided so you should be able to work that into your own beliefs.

Costs vary depending on the activities, funding, and how active the den and pack are. The $15 is most likely the dues. Other costs would be determined as things are planned. Yes, you can opt out of some activities...every family has other obligations. Keep in mind, a lot of these activities are geared towards helping the boys achieve certain requirements for advancement so you may want to arrange to work on those as a family to replace some that you miss.

My son started Scouts as a Tiger Cub in 1st grade and stayed with it through Eagle Scout! He was one of just 2 boys that started that year and stuck with it. Another boy joined later and stuck with it but never earned Eagle just because he didn't actively complete badges as a Boy Scout (he was just an activity or two away from several requirements and then turned 18 so it was too late).

Hello, where we live cub scouts starts in 1st grade. We are not Christian...no one seems to care. Your son will get the info at school and you sign up and then once it starts up (for us it was the summer before 1st grade - but it depends on your pack/den and how they do things) you will be on an email list to let you know when the meetings and activities are. Many of the other kids in our son's pack (the smaller group) and den (the giant group of all ages!) have their younger siblings come to meetings but the younger sibs can't participate until they are old enough to join. It does not cost very much but you do need to pay for some things that come up. The uniform. The pine box derby car kit. The summer camp costs something if your child wanted to do that - maybe $35 for 4 days). It's not much. All our son's pack outings are free - hikes on local trails, sports games at the high school, and the local free museum etc. You do not have to attend every event. You and your younger child can go to all the meetings and you just read the cub scout manual w your son and you learn as you go along. Our son loves it - he has a great time! My husband and I do not agree with all of the politics and beliefs of the National Boy Scout organization. My husband has great memories of doing scouts though bc he did them all through growing up and even became and Eagle Scout (the highest scout you can be). We have a lot of friends who do not want to put their son in scouts bc they so disagree with the national politics (religious and anti-gay). We do not see any of these views in our local pack/den which is nice.

We just put my 3rd grader into cubscouts this year. He will be a Webelo next year. It's been a great experience but I dont know ANYTHING about scouting either. It's been a learning process - I look online and ask alot of questions. I wonder . . . there might be a "Scouting for Dummies" book. I should check the library! My husband has been attending den meetings with our son and has had a lot of fun. We attend pack meetings as a family in general. My 4yr old often goes to meetings but not all the time. It's never been a problem taking him. I guess that would vary depending on the den leaders.

My son's Bear den is 7 boys and the Pack is almost 100 boys. We attend Den meetings 2x a month and there is a Pack meeting 1x month. That can vary with Packs however. The Dens take the boys through the activity book so they can earn their rank (tiger, wolf, bear etc) and graduate that year. They also do extra activities to earn beltloops and badges, etc. If your kids are in sports or music lessons or like art, etc. They can qualify for beltloops through that. (I attached a link for belt loop requirements)

All of the extra activities like camping etc. are optional but the fees have covered just about everything else. We paid $15 to Boyscouts and $40 to the pack to help with Den expenses, tee shirts snacks etc. We also paid for kits like for Pinewood Derby and Space Derby (about $8 each). The uniform was a little pricey - we purchased the blue shirt, Bear cap, neckerchief and band and his belt and the patches for Den/pack etc. Our Pack provides any earned badges, belt loops etc. Our pack also allows the kids to wear either jeans, blue pants/shorts or khaki pants/shorts to meetings. He can wear the same shirt through 3rd grade so buy it a little big.

The meetings are not overtly Christian at all. Our pack doesnt pray or anything like that. Most dens are organized by neighborhood or school but some are organized through churches. If you are concerned about that then simply choose one through the school rather than a church.

I hope you have a great time! I wish we had started sooner. My son loves it and has really grown in confidence and skills.

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/cub-scouts/acad-sports.asp

My son's scout troupe is sponsored by our local church. They start most meetings with a prayer, but other than that it's not overly religious. Do be aware, though, that one of the BIG ideas of scouting is Duty to God (the others are to country and family, they are about equal in all 3). This doesn't mean that they will try to cram any specific religion into your son (in fact, it's written to work with just about every world religion, from multiple forms of Christianity, to Islam, Judaism, Buddism, and more). And the goals dealing with religion/faith in God/etc are more self-directed so the family can help the boy within their own beliefs.

Den meeting is (in my experience) once a week for an hour. For us, it's always been drop him off, pick him up, I don't stay (but we didn't start till he was 8, Wolf Scout age). The only additional fees I can think of ever paying are for summer camp (which is for 2 days, no overnight, at this age), and I think it was $40. And, depending on the den-leaders, taking our turn at the treat bucket. I don't know if there were other expenses the church covered (since they do sponsor the Pack).
There should also be a regular pack meeting. Ours is once a month (takes the place of den meeting that week), where all the boys on the different dens (which are age groups) meet together, with parents, and they do recognition. It tends to be a bit silly, with cheers like the "big hand" (put up one big hand) "round of applause" (clap in a circle), etc. But the boys like it, thrive on showing off what they've accomplished during the months, and sharing with their parents.

At 6, I believe he would be a "Bobcat" scout, and there aren't as many goals to work on the achieve that. I REALLY like that they start with teaching the boys to be safe from predators (in person and on-line). That is done by the parent, with a manual from scouts, and then you sign it off. As he moves into Wolf (at 8) and beyond, they have more goals, including faith/religion, family, social, crafts, outdoor activities, etc. Depending on how good the den leader is, they do a lot of them at den meetings, but still plan on working with him at it at home. Actually, it's a good way to have some personal time with your son :)

Scouting is a wonderful experience for boys and girls alike! Both my brothers are Eagle Scouts and very proud of that. I have enjoyed watching my nephew approach his Eagle - starting as a Tiger Cub - (he's only 13 and that's the only rank he has left). He has really enjoyed it, along with sports for the past several years. It is a big time commitment, but well worth it if you ask me!
My daughter (5 y.o.) is very excited to start Kindergarten next year and become a Daisy and then move up to Brownies and then Girl Scouts. I would say let your son try it out and see if it fits with your family. Good luck!

We did Scouts as kids and I do not remember it be religion based. My brothers enjoyed it, but I thought it was pretty old fashioned. The boys did things like hiking and swimming and such, while us girls did things like sewing and singing. I am a tomboy and so it did not really appeal to me, but I am sure there are plenty of people that it does appeal to. I have heard it has not changed much, but I have not looked into myself.

most scouts start at age 7 or first grade, they are called tiger scouts. for this group it is very parent friendly, meaning parents stay for the whole meeting and even help with them.

at age 8 the move up to wolf scouts, most of the time parents just drop their kids off to the den leaders and then pick them up in an hour.

at age 9 the move to bears and it's just like wolf only a little more challening for them

at age 10 they are webelos scouts they are more advanced because they learn alot more for becoming boy scouts.

Pack meetings are where everyone gets together and the cubmaster hands out the awards that they earned during their den meeting or at home.

den meetings are usally held once a week for an hour. once a month most dens go on a field trip somewhere. depending on what they are working on for the month. (ie first sation library) most of the time the parents have to be there becuase they bring their child there and they meet together.

It shouldn't matter about what religion is. since the scouts came to the school then they don't care. The usually do say an opening and closing prayer and also say the pledge to the flag.

If you need anymore in info please let me know. I have been doing scouts for more than 10 years.

e-mal me at ____@____.com

hope this helps