Each Saturday my family dons the uniform of Boy and Girl Scouts and spends the day at White Rock Baptist Church. Any given day, there is some scout related activity in our home. In the fall it’s recruiting for our Cub pack, in the winter it’s selling Girl Scout cookies, in the summer it’s preparing for camping and traveling.
Scouting wasn’t always a way of life for my family. Originally my son was a Cub Scout because he needed something to do with all of his extra energy. When I would visit the pack, I was struck by the young ladies who attended Girl Scouts. The girls had poise and impeccable manners. When my daughter began to go through her teenage angst, signing her up for Girl Scouts was a suggestion to get some structure into her life. Since then, scouting is considered non-negotiable for the entire family.
Unfortunately, the news doesn’t highlight all of the positive aspects of scouting. There are too many stories that show the scouts as discriminatory or exclusive. My experience with scouting has been positive all around (with the exception of lugging cases of cookies to sell), and my children have grown in the following ways:
Leadership
If asked in the past, I would swear the only thing my daughter led was the revolt to drive me crazy. Since she has been in scouts, she has been a part of the Save the Arts movement in Upper Darby, organized an SAT study group, and spoken to other members of the troop about her success in cookie selling.
Values
Both my son and my daughter have become more sensitive to helping others. They will stand up in a group, not allowing peer pressure to shape their decisions, but the difference between right and wrong to guide their decisions. My son has gotten into less trouble in school because he asks himself if his behavior is a reflection of a true scout.
Responsibility
This is one we are still working on as far as chores in the home. However, when both are wearing their uniforms, the two are transformed from couch potatoes to children who are the first to volunteer to help an older member of the church or can be seen assisting at a function in almost any capacity to ensure it runs smoothly.
Community
My passion has always been for a better neighborhood. I passed some of this on to my children, but scouting has helped to define it. As I mentioned earlier, my daughter was part of the Save the Arts in Upper Darby movement. She spoke to the School Board about what the arts meant to her and expressed her displeasure at the loss if this program in the school. My son regularly volunteers to collect food and goods for the needy. It saddens him to know that there are children who don’t have a fraction of what he owns.
IndependenceBoth children have been on trips thanks to the scouts. My daughter has traveled to Wisconsin, California, and Europe. I was hesitant to let her go, but her troop leader demanded I let my daughter take advantage of this opportunity. She visited 5 countries overseas and is making plans to go to Japan next summer. She is also excited about attending college because her major (Business) allows her to study abroad.
For those who are hesitant because of negative news stories, consider visiting the following sites to learn more about scouting.
It’s one of the best decisions my family and I have made.
For additional information about Boys scouts visit:
https://beascout.scouting.org/
For additional information about Girls Scouts visit:
http://www.girlscouts.org/councilfinder/
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Raya blogs at www.mrsrkfj.com. When she isn’t saying “Signs Up!” to her Cub scouts, she can be found going door to door to register people to vote. Free time will find her with coffee, knitting a sock and enjoying obscene amounts of Judge Judy. She adores her two children and husband.
This brings back such great memories! I was a girl scout for most of my life and it was truly a rewarding experience. My first troop was actually at White Rock. I went from Brownie to Senior and later a leader. I am excited to start this journey with my daughter as I just signed her up.
I was a brownie too and this post has me so excited for when my kids are old enough to do boy scouts and brownies!! I can’t wait to see them in their uniforms!!
This was a wonderful article. Both the boy scouts and the girls scouts offer wonderful learning, entertaining and enrichment opportunities for families. I am glad your family is reaping some of these rewards. It was a good thing you did to share this information with other families.
I used to work for the Girl Scouts and I know what great programs they have. The thing that stands out most to me is that the organizations often go into impoverished neighborhoods to reach out to children there. That means so much.
My family in I have all been involved in scouting since forever! I think I made it a priority because I didn’t get the chance to be a girl scout during childhood. It really is wonderful when both the parents and children are actively involved–it just makes for a much more enriching experience! Kudos to you and your family for scouting!
I was not a girl scout growing up and I don’t think I qualify since I’m now over 30. This sounds like an amazing program. I did not know that extent to which the girl scouts travel! You are a brave and wonderful mom to let your daughter travel abroad. I am happy to see that you see the value and opportunity for her to go. I also am writing this down in my mom notes, for when I have kids, girl scouts and boy scouts are approved! Great Post! Its great to see children doing positive feats in the world, remember that YOU had something to do with that!
A great post! We too are a scouting family. I am the Assistant Cub Master of our pack and a Brownie leader. My big guy crossed over to Boy Scouts last winter and I love seeing how independent and responsible he is becoming through scouts. I look forward to seeing my kids continue to blossom within the scouting community, making friends, learning new skills, contributing to our community and having fun while doing it.