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Mary Chris
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I am just full of questions today!!!
Ds11 is thinking about joining Boy Scouts. I know some of your boys are part of a troop and very actice with it. We did Cub Scouts for a few years, eventually we could not take the madness anymore.....to much mayhem. I hear Boy Scouts is better....boys take charge, and a little more serious.
What should I look for in a troop? Special questions I should ask??
Thank you!
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Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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sewcrazy
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Go and obsserve several meeting before joining one. Talk to the adult leaders and the youth leaders. My 16 yos is the senior patrol leader for our troop, and he meets with incoming scouts parents all the time.
Our troop is out of our church, and they get the boys to Mass, they work on the Catholic awards and incorporate our faith into their activities.
I would be happy to answer any questions. Or I can foward questions to my eldest.
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LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
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jenk
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I'm not sure how close you are to Fredericksburg, but we observed an awesome troop there. In a Catholic church, no mass requirements but the boys said the Hail Mary at the start of each meeting. It was very well run, active and had lots of adults around if the boys ran into something they needed help with... but the boys did run the meetings. Unfortunately, we moved back to FL a few months before my oldest was ready to leave cub scouts and we've yet to find such a troop here.
In observing a troop you may want to find out how active they are... how much camping, etc... Also, a good mix of ages works best with enough older boys to carry the leadership and teach the younger boys. My son was in a very small troop here for a while with only one boy over 17(who graduated and left shortly after we got there), one boy 14 (who took over the leadership role) and the rest were 11 and 12. In this case, it was very difficult for the young boys to have older boys to follow.
And observing several troops is a great idea!! They are all different.
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Jen
with 2 boys, 14 and 8, and a girl expected 1/09
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Bookswithtea
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We had some negative experiences with cub scouts and a very positive one with boy scouts. In addition to trying to find a Catholic troop if possible, I think the number one thing to look for is a troop whose scoutmaster and committee members are all MALE. Troops run by den mothers tend to devolve into a lot of craft projects.  Ds's good troop was run by guy's guys (you know, the kind of guys who wear flannel shirts and like fishing and hunting  ) and it made all the difference in the world. Women did stuff like run the popcorn sales, but stayed out of all event planning, etc. One thing I noticed was the male leaders really let the boys take the reins. Also, they tended to talk to them more gruffly (by women's standards) but in ways that really kept a bunch of rowdy 11-15 yr olds in line. And when the boys messed up, the dads didn't rescue them like moms often will. They let them feel the consequences, but with a good natured attitude that the boys really responded well to. It is an excellent opportunity to learn leadership qualities and have good old fashioned fun.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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SuzanneG
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Bookswithtea wrote:
| ....the number one thing to look for is a troop whose scoutmaster and committee members are all MALE. ..........One thing I noticed was the male leaders really let the boys take the reins. Also, they tended to talk to them more gruffly (by women's standards) but in ways that really kept a bunch of rowdy 11-15 yr olds in line. And when the boys messed up, the dads didn't rescue them like moms often will. They let them feel the consequences, but with a good natured attitude that the boys really responded well to. It is an excellent opportunity to learn leadership qualities and have good old fashioned fun. |
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OBVIOUSLY we NOT involved in Boy Scouts , but my husband has been involved as a older-guest-eagle-scout with several troops around our metro area, and this has been his observation as well.
- ALL-MALE leadership
- boys "taking the reins"
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Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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mom3aut1not
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My autistic son is an enthusiastic Cub Scout (we are currently working on three activity badges for Webelos; he's a Web 1), and I am planning to keep him in scouts for the foreseeable future.
Well, in your opinion will it greatly diminish the advantages of a boy scout troop if I am there as my son's "shadow"? Apparently I can't be there unless I am a troop leader or something. (I don't really want to be one.) I don't think he'll be independent enough (and I am reasonably certain that any other boys will not be ready to take on an autistic scout) to go without me. (His dad tends not to be very involved in scout activities.)
Also, I am faced with a dilemma; I may have to choose between a special needs troop that currently has no members under 21 (for special needs scouts there is no upper age limit) or a typical scout troop that may not be ready for a severely disabled scout. What would you do? (The scoutmaster of the special needs troop is awesome. I am just concerned about the lack of actual boys.)
In Christ,
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Deborah
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5athome
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For boy scouts I would see if they are active -- ask for the past years calendar, check their website,etc. In addition to attending a few meetings, try to go to a court of honor which should give a nice idea of the other boys' behavior, progress through ranks, parent involvement, etc. Also ask about mass attendance during weekend campouts - we had a Catholic scoutmaster in a Catholic troop who did not think missing was a big deal 
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Margaret
ds '93, dd '96, ds '99,
ds '01, dd '04, ds '06,
ds '08
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anitamarie
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What LeAnn and Books said. Definitely observe more than one troop at more than one meeting, Catholic content/commitment (our troop gathers twice a month a half hour earlier for Rosary, for example, and just won an award for Catholic identity from the Archdiocese for lots of activities), male leadership and boys running things. My son (11) loves Scouts. He learns so much that I wouldn't be able to teach him.
Deborah: I don't know of anyone in our troop who would object to you being at meetings to help your son. Our troop leadership encourages parental involvement, Mom or Dad, makes no difference. Our meetings are always open to parents. Also, don't be so sure those boys wouldn't be able to handle having an autistic boy there. Many Scouts have developed character at an earlier age and are able to reach out and understand differences. I would look for that in a troop. Plus, your son has a lot to offer them, as well. God Bless your decision.
Anita
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5athome
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Deborah:
The troop might have mentioned that you would have to join and be an Assistant Scoutmaster. This does not necessarily mean that you are running anything but just that you are a registered member of boy scouts - it is what they call adults who join but are not committee members, scoutmaster, etc. While parents should be encouraged to attend meetings, etc., you should be a registered bsa member if you are planning to accompany the boys on camping trips, overnights, summer camp. This is a safeguard for the boys since each registered bsa member has had a background check.
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Margaret
ds '93, dd '96, ds '99,
ds '01, dd '04, ds '06,
ds '08
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stefoodie
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DH has been scoutmaster of ds (13)'s troop for a year now (with a break for our travel) -- I showed him Books' post and he totally agrees. They have mostly guys, plus a couple of moms. I'd love to get more involved (esp. with their food -- eck! -- they ate mostly unhealthy food at the last camp!) but not a good time right now with baby and all. My boys are having the time of their lives though, esp. since Dad is so involved. Maybe your dh can take a position? My dh has really been urging the other dads to get involved -- it really makes a difference!
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stef
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Jen L.
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I would visit the troop -- and know that it might take several visits to get to know what they are like. My sister tried at least 3 troops before she found one that didn't have a problem with foul language or attitude (this included a Catholic troop and 2 protestant troops). I can't remember the specifics, but I do remember the troop changes.
It is boy run for the most part. The tone is set by the adult leaders and the older boys.
Ben didn't join until the beginning of 6th grade and we have had a good experience. It hasn't been perfect, but my husband has gotten involved and it has been good for the both of them.
I would also look for a troop that isn't too big nor too small. Larger than 20 and less than 50?
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Jen
dh Klete,ds (8/95),dd (12/97), dd (11/00), and ^2^ in heaven
"...the best state in which to glorify God is our actual state; the best grace is that of the moment..." St. Peter Eymard
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sewcrazy
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Deborah, you just need to sign up as an ASM. My sons' troop has a boy that had to have his legs amputated due to bone cancer, so his mother came on some campout to help out until he adjusted to his protesics. Also, we have a boy that has downes and one that is autistic. Several of the older boys, my son included, went to training sessions on assisting scouts with different needs.
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LeeAnn
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Mary G
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MC ... you might also want to look into the Manassas Young Marines ... they are wonderful for building up the kids' leadership, physical and mental abilities! Thomas loves it! Lots of good Catholics in that particular group (many from Seton) and they do great stuff. Click on the "menu" sidebar and it will pull it open for you.
It's NOT a training ground for future military ... just uses some of their leadership training for helping the kids. Having had brothers and one son in the CSA/BSA, I think YM is a great alternative.
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MaryG
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Becky Le
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MaryG, Thanks for that link to the Manassas Young Marines. It looks like a really interesting program. I will definitely keep it in mind as a BSA alternative.
My son is a Webelo in a troop in southeastern Prince William County and we couldn't be happier. His troop is very Catholic and we have many great male leaders who are military officers. As a result they have learned good discipline and respect and gotten to go on some very cool field trips on and off Quantico.
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guitarnan
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What everyone said. Observation is always a good idea - and not just one troop. Shop around.
I have said many times how much I love Scouting and how much it's done for my son. He's tried so many things (travel, sports, life skills) that he never would have done on his own. Plus, it's a license to do boy stuff - dirt, fire building, etc. - in a safe and controlled environment. Boys need that.
PM me if you have specific questions.
Oh, and, yes, we use merit badge work for school. It's great!
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Carole N.
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guitarnan wrote:
I have said many times how much I love Scouting and how much it's done for my son. He's tried so many things (travel, sports, life skills) that he never would have done on his own. Plus, it's a license to do boy stuff - dirt, fire building, etc. - in a safe and controlled environment. Boys need that.
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I could not agree with Nancy more. Scouting has been one of the best activities that our family has been involved in. My dh was the scoutmaster back home and we had a wonderful troop associated with our church. It was lead by men with some involvement by moms in some of the activities and with special needs boys. The boys actually did the planning of meetings and events.
Stef, I laughed when I read your post. My dh insisted on well rounded meals. He would not let the boys make ramen noodles or hot dogs. They had to prepare a balanced meal. He actually looked forward to preparing a nice meal for the leaders. One time he made etouffee. I think that the leaders at better than I did!
And we are still involved in scouting over here. I am hoping my ds will finish his Eagle soon. His post is helping to monitor his progress...just a few more merit badges.
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Carole ... in Wales
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Topic: Boy Scouts??
