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Post by playingcinderella on Jul 16, 2016 18:57:56 GMT
I have an almost 9 year old. He has asked about boy scouts a couple of times but I have resisted. Previously, it was because I disagreed with theit position on gay troop leaders. I know that the official stance changed last year, so I am open to reconsidering.
I am going to be really honest. DH and I are both teachers with huge after school programs and commitments (I teach theatre and he teaches culinary). Between rehearsals, competiton, events, etc evenings and weekends are a challenge. What kind of time commitment is boy scouts? How much involvement is really expected from parents? There are some months that are slower for us and would allow us to be involved while other months during competition season or the month of our musical that getting him to the meetings would be all we could do.
Finally, is it too late to start at 9?
Thanks!
Michelle
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oaksong
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,163 
Location: LA Suburbia
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Jul 16, 2016 19:08:59 GMT
You may want to check out your local troop and ask other parents. Our troop leaders were extremely organized and experienced, and there were lots of other involved parents. DH and I weren't very involved, but it was a great activity for DS. They had camping trips every month, and away camp every summer. He learned so much and really enjoyed it.
With busy parents, it might be really nice for home to have something like this of his own. Maybe you'll even want to go on some of the trips. 9 is not too late at all.
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Post by hop2 on Jul 16, 2016 19:12:35 GMT
9 is a hard time because it so close to going from Cubs to boyscouts. Here they transfer 1/2 way thru 5th grade. Once in Boy Scouts you start completely over with activities and rank eyc so not to late. It's been quite awhile for me as mine is almost done, but I think in cub scouts they just put you in a den according to age/grade and 'rank' doesn't really matter so he can't/won't be 'stuck' as a tiger at 9. So not too late at all.
The parent commitment varys from pack to pack but in Cubs there is definitely a parent commitment as they need a parent to go camping and on trips. But it's manageable.
Once to boyscouts the parent commitment dropped tremendously, yes they need help but the are pretty autonomous as its ( supposedly anyway ) all boy lead activities. And meetings are 1x per week and camping 1x per month and here you go when you can and no one minds too much as long as your advancing.
I sit 1or 2 times a month for board of review for rank advancement about 30 mins each time.
I used to be the parent who submitted article to the news paper ( easy job! ) and the one who sent out emails ( less easy but not too bad ) so there's plenty of hands off type ways to help out.
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Post by mom on Jul 16, 2016 19:17:40 GMT
My son has been in Scouts since1st grade - he is now a Senior. Participation varies in each Pack or Troop, but really, the commitment for parents isn't that much. Unless you want to be a Troop Leader or something.
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Post by tampascrapper on Jul 16, 2016 19:28:13 GMT
My ds was in scouts from 1st grade through junior year in High school when he became an Eagle Scout. He absolutely love it. When he switched from Cub Scouts to Boy Scours, we visited a few troops to find one that seemed like a good fit for him. He wanted a troop that did a lot of camping and physical activities that was ran mostly by the scouts. The third troop we visited was the right one for him. My involvement was limited to drop off/ pick up to the meetings and writing checks when needed. I would attend meetings if it was something special, scouts were ranking up or when it was someone's Eagle Court of Honor. I think my ds learned so much from being in Scouts and from the troop leaders. Not just about camping, etc but leadership skills, commitment, being a team player, working hard, etc. I highly recommend the Scouts but find the right troop.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 16, 2016 19:32:56 GMT
My DS was a scout until he turned 18 and is now an adult scouter, an Eagle Scout, and involved as a mentor when he's home from college. His best friend joined as a freshman in HS. It's never too late. Every year there is a rank up for Cub Scouts, so each year is a fresh start. He's going to 4th grade? That's Weblos which I think is a great time to join, as a lot carries over to Weblos II in 5th grade and the crossover to Boy Scouts.
As for parent involvement, it is not a drop and run program. It's entirely run internally by other parents and scouts. If you don't do your part, it IS noticed However, there are many things that are more flexible--you can do to help out at your convenience Arranging camp out/activities/outings, coordinating the annual Blue and Gold ceremony, belt loop tracking, etc. I'd meet with perspective troops in the area and find a good fit. If every parent stays for the meeting but you, it will be noticed by your son. But there are plenty of troops where this isn't the case. And it doesn't need to be both you and dad-it can be either of you.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jul 16, 2016 19:33:42 GMT
My oldest son started in fifth grade, and went on to Eagle. He joined to be with friends who had been in scouts since Cubs, most of them dropped out after sixth grade. You never know how this will work out!
Troops in our town have open houses each year, DS and DH did the tour to decide if he was going to continue into middle school. It gives parents a chance to see how each is organized.
DS chose a large troop, well established procedures. There are some long term hardcore volunteers, and lots of emphasis on boy leadership. Other troops require more involved parents.
We have friends that sought a troop needing active parents. if your community is big enough you can find one that's the right fit. Same for other factors that might concern you.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jul 16, 2016 21:14:06 GMT
We are both teachers. We were active in Boy Scouts. We stepped up more than most parents. My husband became Scoutmaster and I ended up an adult volunteer so he would always have two deep leadership for meetings and camping. Try it and see if it meets your needs. We loved it.
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Post by playingcinderella on Jul 16, 2016 21:25:47 GMT
You guys are awesome. I posted and then my phone died and I just made it back. Lots of advice to read and digest.
Thank you so much!
Michelle
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 17, 2016 4:24:16 GMT
My son started in first grade, but only participated for a year. He isn't really outdoorsy and wasn't that into it. Summer Camp sucked him in.
It's difficult to fit in meetings. I was having to drive into our district an extra day on meeting days. It was exhausting. I really liked the people involved, but there weren't too many boys and I didn't find it to be as organized as I would have liked. Then they combined with another group, moved the meeting farther away from my home and later in the evening. Pretty much solved our dilemma.
I think starting at 9 would be fine. I think my son may have enjoyed it more if my dh would have been involved, but he wasn't able to.
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