What drew our family, especially our son, to Scouting were the outdoor activities, such as camping, shooting, learning about nature, and hiking.
I can remember when I decided to become more involved...as a Tiger, they handed out the Pine Wood Derby cars, and my best friend and I looked at each other and said, “What are these, and what do we do with them?” We found that the leadership at the time needed serious help, and we wanted the best possible outcome for our boys. We were filling in for our husbands, who were unable to help due to their schedules. I decided to step up and help to make sure that not only our boys, but other boys in our den and Pack had the necessary leadership to ensure their enthusiasm with Scouts remained intact! Of course I drug my best friend kicking and screaming the whole way with me!!! All the way to running Day Camp for two years!!
But seriously, the reason I chose to step into a volunteer role was because it always has been, and to me always will be about THE BOYS! Am I happy with every change and decision that the Boy Scouts of America have initiated, no, but what large organization does make changes that please all of the people associated with it? Overall, the program is still a worthwhile endeavor for any young man to get involved with, and it is one that the whole family can participate in, in one form or another.
I always tell my friends and anyone else that asks me about scouting that it is a wonderful experience, but that not every boy, and/or parent will enjoy all aspects of it. Let’s face it, if the parents enjoy the experience, there is a greater chance the scout will enjoy it as well. It is quality time that the scout and parents are able to enjoy together, especially at the Pack level! As the scout progresses, matures, and gets more independent in the Scouts, it is still a family affair. Watching them earn their merit badges, their rank, and see the confidence they gain in their own abilities is such a joy as a parent to watch. I always tell them that you will not know until you try it!
If we had not become involved with scouting, my son would be continuing the millions of other things he enjoys (baseball, karate, shooting, hiking, camping), but individually and I had to limit his activities and he can get all of that and more in scouting. We made him make the choice of what he wanted to do. He chose to continue in scouting, he wants to earn his Eagle before he moves on to anything else.
-- Tonya J.
Six years ago, my son came home from school all excited about scouting after hearing about the cool things they do during a presentation at school. We went to the sign up night the next evening and sealed the deal. Scouting encompasses the activities my son loves to do such as camping, hiking and fishing. It has also opened doors to new activities like shooting sports and places such as overnight trips to the Kennedy Space Center and the Florida Aquarium. It also teaches values and life skills. Cub Scouts is very family friendly and not a huge weekly time commitment. This has allowed our family to enjoy all the cub scout activities together and a pretty open schedule to enjoy our own family adventures. In our second year my husband and I became more involved as den leaders and on the pack committee. We have enjoyed planning events and activities for the pack and watching all the scouts grow over the years. My son just crossed over to Boy Scouts, my husband and I continue to volunteer with Boy Scouts. Scouting has provided our whole family with lots of memories, personal growth and incredible friendships.
--Cole J.
In Scouting, boys and girls start with their best right-now selves and grow into their very best future selves. It’s fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life. Click here to pre-register with a pack near you.