Is Boy Scouts a thing now? DS wants to get into it, but I have some concerns.

[Anonymous]

My 12 year old wants to join a Boy Scout group that one of his friends from school is part of. They go camping and do stuff like that, have weekly meetings, and they wear uniforms. I guess it seems pretty benign, but I've got some concerns, and before I let him participate, I need to know some things.

Are Boy Scouts still considered dorky? Because I don't want him being teased. When I was his age, I remember Boy Scouts being the weirdest kids with no friends, and we used to tease them a ton. I don't want him dealing with that.

As a parent, am I expected to go on these camping trips? Because the idea of sleeping outside with bugs just makes me shiver. I could never do this, and I don't want him getting into it if it means I have to camp. My idea of camping is a 3-star.

I'm concerned about him picking up bad habits or offensive ideas/language from other boys who aren't being raised by parents who make efforts to make sure they are sensitive and respectful of others.

How much does this cost? Uniform, other stuff for camping, etc?

Is there any type of religious indoctrination involved? We don't attend church, but scout team meets at a church.

Lastly, I don't want to be put in a position one day where he thinks he's more "manly" than me because he got introduced to things (like camping) or archery or shooting guns, which are things we don't do or would never allow in our household.


Thanks to any who can provide details.

[Anonymous]

Take him camping and skip the scouts. We pick a camp site with fast food and restaurants across the street and shopping 15 minutes away for mom. It has a pool and lake. I bring air mattresses and a foam topper for me, full comfortable bedding and a battery for charging things. I hate camping but if I'm forced to do it, I'm going in comfort. Archery is fine ... even I kinda like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take him camping and skip the scouts. We pick a camp site with fast food and restaurants across the street and shopping 15 minutes away for mom. It has a pool and lake. I bring air mattresses and a foam topper for me, full comfortable bedding and a battery for charging things. I hate camping but if I'm forced to do it, I'm going in comfort. Archery is fine ... even I kinda like it.

Loser parent of the night award!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 12 year old wants to join a Boy Scout group that one of his friends from school is part of. They go camping and do stuff like that, have weekly meetings, and they wear uniforms. I guess it seems pretty benign, but I've got some concerns, and before I let him participate, I need to know some things.

Are Boy Scouts still considered dorky? Because I don't want him being teased. When I was his age, I remember Boy Scouts being the weirdest kids with no friends, and we used to tease them a ton. I don't want him dealing with that.

As a parent, am I expected to go on these camping trips? Because the idea of sleeping outside with bugs just makes me shiver. I could never do this, and I don't want him getting into it if it means I have to camp. My idea of camping is a 3-star.

I'm concerned about him picking up bad habits or offensive ideas/language from other boys who aren't being raised by parents who make efforts to make sure they are sensitive and respectful of others.

How much does this cost? Uniform, other stuff for camping, etc?

Is there any type of religious indoctrination involved? We don't attend church, but scout team meets at a church.

Lastly, I don't want to be put in a position one day where he thinks he's more "manly" than me because he got introduced to things (like camping) or archery or shooting guns, which are things we don't do or would never allow in our household.


Thanks to any who can provide details.

Go visit a few different meetings with your son to see where you both feel most comfortable. They all have different personalities and levels of organization. There are rules that scouts abide by. My son is a scout and his dad helps out. No cursing. No guns. Two adults must accompany boys to bathroom and shower. In other words no adult is with a child alone unless it's his own child. They have fun in an easy going manner.

[Anonymous]

Hypocrite of the year award ... I don't want him hanging around with kids that weren't raised to be sensitive to others but also don't want him hanging around with a bunch of dorks.

[Anonymous]

You sound weird OP

[Anonymous]

Boy Scouts have been a "thing" since forever. And the organization has made some changes to modernize it, become more inclusive, and reduce any likelihood of impropriety.

For the rest of it, you seem to have a lot of anxiety and issues. If his friends are in it and he wants to join, let him.

[Anonymous]

OP you are a total "dork" who is vying for Ass**le of the Month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you are a total "dork" who is vying for Ass**le of the Month.

Glad I wasn't the only one thinking this.

[Anonymous]

The his has to be a troll. I found me it hard to believe a parent would talk like that. If you aren't a troll I recommend a little self evaluation because the irony of your post is too much.

[Anonymous]

The irony of your fourth paragraph says it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound weird OP

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The his has to be a troll. I found me it hard to believe a parent would talk like that. If you aren't a troll I recommend a little self evaluation because the irony of your post is too much.

+1 definite troll post

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 12 year old wants to join a Boy Scout group that one of his friends from school is part of. They go camping and do stuff like that, have weekly meetings, and they wear uniforms. I guess it seems pretty benign, but I've got some concerns, and before I let him participate, I need to know some things.

Are Boy Scouts still considered dorky? Because I don't want him being teased. When I was his age, I remember Boy Scouts being the weirdest kids with no friends, and we used to tease them a ton. I don't want him dealing with that.

As a parent, am I expected to go on these camping trips? Because the idea of sleeping outside with bugs just makes me shiver. I could never do this, and I don't want him getting into it if it means I have to camp. My idea of camping is a 3-star.

I'm concerned about him picking up bad habits or offensive ideas/language from other boys who aren't being raised by parents who make efforts to make sure they are sensitive and respectful of others.

How much does this cost? Uniform, other stuff for camping, etc?

Is there any type of religious indoctrination involved? We don't attend church, but scout team meets at a church.

Lastly, I don't want to be put in a position one day where he thinks he's more "manly" than me because he got introduced to things (like camping) or archery or shooting guns, which are things we don't do or would never allow in our household.


Thanks to any who can provide details.

The bolded is the opposite of scouts. Scouts are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. The badges and rank advancements teach life skills, leadership skills and character. There is quite a bit of parental involvement.

There are more liberal/secular troops and there are religious troops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 12 year old wants to join a Boy Scout group that one of his friends from school is part of. They go camping and do stuff like that, have weekly meetings, and they wear uniforms. I guess it seems pretty benign, but I've got some concerns, and before I let him participate, I need to know some things.

Are Boy Scouts still considered dorky? Because I don't want him being teased. When I was his age, I remember Boy Scouts being the weirdest kids with no friends, and we used to tease them a ton. I don't want him dealing with that.

As a parent, am I expected to go on these camping trips? Because the idea of sleeping outside with bugs just makes me shiver. I could never do this, and I don't want him getting into it if it means I have to camp. My idea of camping is a 3-star.

I'm concerned about him picking up bad habits or offensive ideas/language from other boys who aren't being raised by parents who make efforts to make sure they are sensitive and respectful of others.

How much does this cost? Uniform, other stuff for camping, etc?

Is there any type of religious indoctrination involved? We don't attend church, but scout team meets at a church.

Lastly, I don't want to be put in a position one day where he thinks he's more "manly" than me because he got introduced to things (like camping) or archery or shooting guns, which are things we don't do or would never allow in our household.


Thanks to any who can provide details.

Your troll post is a mass of contradictions. But my favorite is the notion that you eschew church but are worried about him "picking up bad habits or offensive ideas/language from other boys..."

At 12.

That ship has sailed, dear.

To answer your question, Boy Scouts aren't overtly religious but did have controversies banning gay scouts and leaders from participating. That controversy came to a head a few years ago.

Other than that episode of intolerance, Boy Scouts generally teaches decent values and self-sufficiency and service to others. So, your concerns about picking up bad habits or offensive ideas is a non-starter.

As for the dork question, Boy Scouts do tend to be straight-and-narrow, so, yeah, there may be some dork component. Would you rather have a slacker/loser/stoner?