Any former Cub Scouts or current Cub Scout parents out there?

[MissStacey 1]

My 6 year old stepson wants to be Cub Scout. We went to the rally last night and have decided to register him. It seems like it will be really good for him and he will have loads of fun.

What are your experiences either being a Scout as a child or a parent of a Scout?

[Carlawarla 1]

My only experience was when my children were much younger, and in Canada, where there are Beavers, Cubs, then Scouts. For girls, it was Brownies, Guides, then Rangers. Anyway, my daughter is older, and enjoyed Guiding immensely. I was involved, and was a leader for years. It was a very strong organization. I remember when the whole "gender" thing started up in Guiding, and Guiding was adament it would remain female only. I was glad. There was nothing at the time, that allowed for ANY female only interaction. Everything was going or was co-ed, and I think there should be at least ONE thing that girls, or boys should be able to attend with their own gender. Anyway, sorry for being so lengthy, I just wanted to give you some background....

So, when it was my son's turn, he started Cubs. Alas, there was one male leader, all the rest were females. It was co-ed, with the Scouts, in Canada anyway, allowing females in. Actually my son was in it for one year, and said "Mom, why can K (his sister) get to go with only girls, and we can't have a group with just guys?". I had no real "good" answer. By the end of the year, with a call out for more men to volunteer, at all levels there was only the one man, and all the rest were women. By the end of the year, there was 4 girls to every 1 boy enrolled. I decided I didn't want to be part of an organization that didn't discriminate between genders for this type of event.

This is only my personal viewpoint. This was something new to Canada when I put my son in it. I do know that Cubs, and Scouting, in Canada has always had a shortage of men volunteering. I think because of this, more women became involved to fill the gap. Lots of the women volunteering, had to bring their younger children as well, so lots of time was spent supervising their own children. *sigh*

I truly value all Scouting and Guiding programs though, but at the time, I was annoyed at there not being any "boys only" group.

Maybe things have changed.

Edited September 17, 2008 by Carlawarla

[MissStacey 1]

I was a Brownie I think my parents still have my brown dress uniform somewhere in their basement. I never went on to Girl Guides though.

[IAMX 3,055]

I used to be in Cub Scouts. My experience is it's great if you like to get outdoors and do things. Not so great if you don't like discrimination. Now I wouldn't dare let my own kids join Cub/Boy Scouts because they discriminate based upon religion and sexuality.

Edited September 17, 2008 by SRVT

[Emancipation 2]

I was a Brownie I think my parents still have my brown dress uniform somewhere in their basement. I never went on to Girl Guides though.

i went through to girl guides.. I agree with Carla on having the genders separate.. the sense of sisterhood etc. was important for me.. it was a great chance for "just us girls" to be together.

I saw scouts marching in a parade on the weekend here in CT, seemed to be all guys ... so perhaps it's different here??

I love the organization though.. love the focus love the community it builds.. plus you get to learn all this cool stuff:

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061...Boys/index.aspx

I love that they teach "old school stuff"

I used to be in Cub Scouts. My experience is it's great if you like to get outdoors and do things. Not so great if you don't like discrimination. Now I wouldn't dare let my own kids join Cub/Boy Scouts because they discriminate based upon religion and sexuality.

so not my experience..

[MrsCat 6]

I was a Brownie I think my parents still have my brown dress uniform somewhere in their basement. I never went on to Girl Guides though.

Same with me. Actually when I was packing this week, I found my baking badge. Worst chocolate cake ever.

My brother was in cubs scouts. I think he liked it. Similar story to Carla though, all women running the organization in our small town.

[IAMX 3,055]

so not my experience..

Is this your experience in Canada or the U.S.? A friend of mine was prevented from becoming an Eagle Scout (this was well after I was gone, which had to do with being in football and being too busy with other things) because his father, mother, and himself were atheists. Cub/Boy Scouts have been highly criticized because they've also denied troop leaders (scouter, IIRC) because of sexuality as well.

Here is their stance on religion:

http://www.bsalegal.org/duty-to-god-cases-224.asp

In the Scout Oath, a Scout promises to do his “duty to God,” and in the Scout Law he promises to be “reverent.”

The Boy Scout Handbook (11th ed.) explains a Scouts’ “duty to God” as “Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings every day and by respecting and defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.”

The Handbook explains “reverent” as “A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.”

All levels of advancement in the Scouting program have requirements recognizing “duty to God”:

Sexuality:

http://www.bsalegal.org/morally-straight-cases-225.asp

Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed. Scouting’s position with respect to homosexual conduct accords with the moral positions of many millions of Americans and with religious denominations to which a majority of Americans belong. Because of these views, Boy Scouts of America believes that a known or avowed homosexual is not an appropriate role model of the Scout Oath and Law for adolescent boys.

So, yeah, this is why none of my kids will be joining. No logic whatsoever behind these positions.

Edited September 17, 2008 by SRVT

[Emancipation 2]

Experience = Canada...

You really wouldn't want to join there then, cause you have to do promise to do your duty to the Queen.

http://www.scouts.ca/dnn/AboutUs/PromiseLa...68/Default.aspx

Edited September 17, 2008 by Emancipation

[MissStacey 1]

Hmmm. Well I know they did say they have many different badges for various religions. They did also say that once the uniform is on- all boys are equal- no matter what race or religion.

The sexuality issue would be a problem for me- I support gay rights and equality.

I'll keep my eyes and ears open and see if I notice anything that doesn't seem right.

[IAMX 3,055]

Experience = Canada...

You really wouldn't want to join there then, cause you have to do promise to do your duty to the Queen.

http://www.scouts.ca/dnn/AboutUs/PromiseLa...68/Default.aspx

Hey, that's do-able, I'm almost married to the Queen.

Hmmm. Well I know they did say they have many different badges for various religions. They did also say that once the uniform is on- all boys are equal- no matter what race or religion.

The sexuality issue would be a problem for me- I support gay rights and equality.

I'll keep my eyes and ears open and see if I notice anything that doesn't seem right.

The problem, MissStacey, is who has taken over the Boy Scouts in recent years. It's mostly run by the Mormon church (i.e. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). This was more than evident in my experience.

There used to be no religious affiliation and sexuality was not a concern until the last few decades when the church, in essence, took it over. This is very much evidenced by a lot of issues in this country starting with the Red Scare.

Edited September 17, 2008 by SRVT

[Chica Yeyé 41]

The problem, MissStacey, is who has taken over the Boy Scouts in recent years. It's mostly run by the Mormon church (i.e. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). This was more than evident in my experience.

There used to be no religious affiliation and sexuality was not a concern until the last few decades when the church, in essence, took it over. This is very much evidenced by a lot of issues in this country starting with the Red Scare.

#######???? Now that's a surprise -- I didn't know that. Wow.

[IAMX 3,055]

I really wasn't even aware of it until I saw a Penn and Teller episode (then found it on the Boy Scouts code myself, and on their website as linked above):

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Edited September 17, 2008 by SRVT

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Holy tamale Batman. Indeed I did a google search and a lot of articles came up. Wow.

[IAMX 3,055]

Watch the video. Trust me, it will be interesting.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Watch the video. Trust me, it will be interesting.

Don't watch videos in my office.