Ethical Alternatives to Big Scouts

[Anonymous]

My significant other has problems with the Boys Scouts ethical positions, though I think that is more in the past now.

But is anyone aware of more inclusive/ non discriminatory alternatives to boys scouts in this area?

Looking to get our kids outside as much as possible next year.

[Anonymous]

Realizing their was a typo in title- meant Boy Scouts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My significant other has problems with the Boys Scouts ethical positions, though I think that is more in the past now.

But is anyone aware of more inclusive/ non discriminatory alternatives to boys scouts in this area?

Looking to get our kids outside as much as possible next year.

Yes, it is in the past. The Mormons dropped then because they are too inclusive non-discriminatory.

[Anonymous]

They are no longer anti LGBT and now allow girls to be Scouts.

We are progressive and have loved our pack. It seems silly to avoid lovely experiences because, years ago, people I didn’t know did things I don’t agree with. That’s no way to effect change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My significant other has problems with the Boys Scouts ethical positions, though I think that is more in the past now.

But is anyone aware of more inclusive/ non discriminatory alternatives to boys scouts in this area?

Looking to get our kids outside as much as possible next year.

Yes, it is in the past. The Mormons dropped then because they are too inclusive non-discriminatory.

It’s not all the in the past. Boy Scouts still officially require members to be religious.

Sorry I never found an alternative.

[Anonymous]

I didn't know that they require the kids to be religious, OP. How do they monitor this? My nephew was a scout for years and never stepped foot in a church or any other house of worship and was not baptized.

[Anonymous]

Those issues don't really have to do with the local troop and its really the local troop. Ours have people of all religions and atheists and its never been an issue.

Air Force, Navy have their own groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My significant other has problems with the Boys Scouts ethical positions, though I think that is more in the past now.

But is anyone aware of more inclusive/ non discriminatory alternatives to boys scouts in this area?

Looking to get our kids outside as much as possible next year.

Yes, it is in the past. The Mormons dropped then because they are too inclusive non-discriminatory.

It’s not all the in the past. Boy Scouts still officially require members to be religious.

Sorry I never found an alternative.

There are a few things that state the word God but no one cares. We are not religious and don't believe in God and its not an issue.

[Anonymous]

Look for 4H programs in your area. They are govt run so cannot discriminate or push religion.

[Anonymous]

Don’t forget the scouts are being sued into oblivion because they were harboring and protecting pedophiles. The demand to acknowledge god is also very problematic and exclusionary. 4H is a much better alternative as PP stated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t forget the scouts are being sued into oblivion because they were harboring and protecting pedophiles. The demand to acknowledge god is also very problematic and exclusionary. 4H is a much better alternative as PP stated.

Be careful. It matters most who the other families are not what the lead organization espouses, and the only people I know in 4H are religious homeschoolers.

[Anonymous]

I am the mother of 4 boy scouts; two are older and are now Eagle Scouts and the other two are on track to become Eagle scouts in the next 1-3 years.

OP, is it mostly just the outdoor activity you would like your kids to experience? Or is there something more?

Each Boy Scout troop has to have a "sponsoring organization." Most troops are sponsored by a church, but other organizations can sponsor a troop (though I admit, I don't personally know of any.)

If it's the religion that is a problem, you can seek out a troop that isn't "too religious." My sons' troop is sponsored by a church that we do not belong to, and honestly the "faith" part doesn't come up too much. Their troop DOES do some service specifically for the church, but it's things that people can do just because they choose to serve--they don't force you to say a prayer or state your beliefs or anything like that. An example I can think of is scouts holding a "clean up day" to clean up any trash on church property, clean out storage rooms, etc.

Due to Covid, some troops might have restrictions, but in normal times you are usually able to visit local troops during their meetings so you can see if it would be a good fit for your son.

One final thought; how old is your son? "Cub Scouts" is like a junior level of boy scouts for those boys younger than 5th grade. About midway through 5th grade they have a crossover ceremony and they become Boy Scouts. Just wanted to clarify in case your son is young and really looking for Cub scouts.

[Anonymous]

We're agnostics in a Cub Scout pack that's sponsored by a church. No one's ever talked about religion to our kids, other than god's brief mention in the Pledge of Allegiance. The pack has families with same-sex parents. You'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My significant other has problems with the Boys Scouts ethical positions, though I think that is more in the past now.

But is anyone aware of more inclusive/ non discriminatory alternatives to boys scouts in this area?

Looking to get our kids outside as much as possible next year.

Yes, it is in the past. The Mormons dropped then because they are too inclusive non-discriminatory.

It’s not all the in the past. Boy Scouts still officially require members to be religious.

Sorry I never found an alternative.

They don't require you to be religious. We are an atheist and agnostic family. The "Duty to God requirement" requires that you discuss your families view on God. Our Pack, chartered by a Methodist Church, asks each family to handle the Duty to God requirement at home and let the Den Leader know when it has been done. As for the Oath, well, Under God appears in the Pledge and on our Money and in all sorts of places. It means the same thing to us when we say it for the Boy Scouts as when we say it in the Pledge or handle money.

The National Leadership has changed the rules. Individual Packs and Troops run how they run based on the principals of their Chartering organization. It is pretty easy in this area to find Packs and Troops that are open to girls and LGBQ+ individuals. I suspect that the overall organization will continue to shift away from the original thoughts and practices as more Packs and Troops become inclusive. The few Troops I know in this area who have resisted the changes are aging out of Scouts and those Troops are either dying and going away or starting to change in order to maintain their presence.

[Anonymous]

My son's pack was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. While the organization does require a belief in god, there is no definition of what that means. My fairly un religious son was comfortable with believing in a "higher power" than himself (which could be very science based). That was all that was required. He is an Eagle Scout.