I run a Camp Fire group in Bethesda which meets monthly. We are outdoorsy, but we also do arts, science and we welcome all ages. We have 3rd grade to HS and your son might really enjoy participation and learning without the extremes ( though this summer the middle and high schoolers did a 3 day backpacking trip on the C and O canal - only 16 miles total). Our first meeting is Sunday Sept 27. email me at campfireleaderdc@aol.com if you are interested. We have a camp day coming up in October. Parent are encouraged to come along.

I would also encourage scouting. My husband was not a scout and our oldest son (now out of college) stopped after cub scouts. My two youngest though hooked up with a small troop run through our church and they have enjoyed it. I would say you should look for a troop that has several kids right around your son's age so that he will have some buddies coming through. My almost 17 year old did not really have friends his age in the troop, but he stuck with it and will make Eagle this Fall. My 13 year old has 3 good friends now that he made through the troop (all of the kids in the troop go to different schools from our kids as our church is in a different school district), and he really is having more fun with it than his brother did.

For just about everyone camping with strangers is not going to be a good time. Once your son gets to know a couple of kids then it will not be a problem.

I will say that scouting is a good organization for kids without specific social groups. In our experience the kids are very accepting. My own kids are pretty social, but they have learned quite a bit from having fellow scouts who have a handicap or issue. Neither my husband nor I were very pro-scouts when we started out, but there is no getting around the fact that our kids' participation has been good for them in several ways. Most importantly in developing leadership skills. Yes they learned some camping, first aid and other traditional boy scout skills, but the leadership stuff - which starts right away -- has been a real positive. Quite often a teacher or coach will mention that they like how X handles himself. Case in point -- our youngest just was named a team captain of his middle school football team, and he is clearly not one of the better players. Some of that is due to scouting.

Op here again. Many thanks. Yes, 6th grade DS said he'd be fine camping if I was there, which is fine with me at this age. We'll check it out.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks. I know DS would love the activities, but doesn't like sleeping out. Struggled mightily at sleep away camp and that was in bunks. Without the camping aspect, it probably doesn't make sense, does it? If not, appreciate thoughts on similar type groups besides Scouts.

I'm assuming you didn't accompany your DS to sleep away camp. He might do better if you or your DH went with him on camp outs. That's what my DH did. The first couple years of Cub Scouts, DH and DS shared a tent. Then, DS shared a tent/shelter with other boys and DH slept in a separate tent. DH even when to Cub/Boy Scout camp for a week each summer with DS. DS is in 7th grade and this past summer was the first time he camped without DH. By this time, DS had enough experience and confidence he was okay going on his own. He was a little nervous at first but the troop is supportive and he was well prepared. Scouts is a LOT of fun!

You do not need to "catch-up" at 6th grade. Cub Scouts ends at 5th grade and 6th grade starts boy scouts. It is the perfect time to start. The "troops" are all new, so there are no groups to join. Each troop has a different vibe, so shop around. some are focused on producing eagle scouts, others do high adventure camping.

I'm not a fan of scouting (our area with the military dads, it's a paramilitary group in my liberal arts background), but my DS loves it, and I see the value in it.

OP here, thanks. I know DS would love the activities, but doesn't like sleeping out. Struggled mightily at sleep away camp and that was in bunks. Without the camping aspect, it probably doesn't make sense, does it? If not, appreciate thoughts on similar type groups besides Scouts.

Anonymous wrote:Boy Scout starts from 6th grade.

Yes, but if they have already done some activities since school started, OP's DS will have to catch up. Like I said, not a big deal. Usually those activities are simple.

Boy Scout starts from 6th grade.

Nope. It's fine. He may have to do some required prereq activities at home, but they are usually easy to do.

My 10 yr old DS is also not athletic. He loves the Scouts.

My 6th grader has never done scouting, but I think it would be a good thing for him. He's not athletic and isn't into much of anything despite our efforts to expose him to things. He also doesn't have many friends as a result. Is it too late to jump into a troop?