Alternatives to boy scouts?

[monkeybug]

Are there groups for boys that are similar to boy scouts? I know when I was a kid we had campfire girls which was like girl scouts.
I have a nature loving boy who is not really into sports, and I'd love to find something for him to be a part of.
Thanks!

 

[happygirl]

Are there groups for boys that are similar to boy scouts? I know when I was a kid we had campfire girls which was like girl scouts.
I have a nature loving boy who is not really into sports, and I'd love to find something for him to be a part of.
Thanks!

Do you have something against scouts?

 

[Hannathy]

Why not Boy Scouts?

My DS loves it, is in fact at Scout camp this week. Camping in a tent and getting lots of "nature" including having to build his own shelter and sleep in in one night. Next summer is a 70 mile canoe trip.


4H is a program but it is co ed, but it can depend on your chapter what kind of things you do.
Would be some nature activities with animals or nature. More individual project type things.

There wouldn't be the camping and outdoor adventures that scouting has to offer.

 

[FireDancer]

I know a few people who are opposed to Boy Scouts due to their policy on homosexuality. While I disagree with their policy I wouldn't forbid my kid from doing it if that is what he wants to do. From what I understand many local troops don't agree with the national policy anyway.

The only thing I can think of is Outward Bound. If you have a national park nearby they may also have programs for kids. Our local national park has them year round.

 

[Handbag Lady]

My husband was an Indian Guide as a child and he LOVED it. I believe the YMCA has changed the name but not the program.

They did camping and learned how to open cans with rocks and how to start a camp fire and things.

 

[cathyce2]

Some of my daughters friends are in Awana through their churches. I don't know too much about it other than kids do it or scouting (not both) because they are similar. Awana.org

 

[NC_Tink]

OP - you could also look into 4-H.

 

[monkeybug]

I know a few people who are opposed to Boy Scouts due to their policy on homosexuality. While I disagree with their policy I wouldn't forbid my kid from doing it if that is what he wants to do. From what I understand many local troops don't agree with the national policy anyway.

The only thing I can think of is Outward Bound. If you have a national park nearby they may also have programs for kids. Our local national park has them year round.

Yes, this is our reason. We have gay family members and we choose to support them by not supporting organizations that don't. I have nothing against families who choose to support scouthing though! I actually had no idea the scouts had this policy until today, and we know many lovely families involved in BSA.
This is just a personal choice we've made.

 

[monkeybug]

My husband was an Indian Guide as a child and he LOVED it. I believe the YMCA has changed the name but not the program.

They did camping and learned how to open cans with rocks and how to start a camp fire and things.

This sounds exactly like what my little guy would LOVE! I'll have to see if our Y has a program similar.

Some of my daughters friends are in Awana through their churches. I don't know too much about it other than kids do it or scouting (not both) because they are similar. Awana.org

Thanks! I'll check it out.

OP - you could also look into 4-H.

My first thought was 4H but even though we live in a small rural town, our neighborhood is very suburban. Do you need land for 4H? We can't raise chickens or goats in this 'hood!

 

[Hannathy]

Unless Awana is very different other places it is nothing like Boy Scouts here. Awana is a church run youth group type activity but it is based around a religious theme. (not sure how that would go with the Gay bit either, because the churches that host Awana here are pretty anti Gay)


It would be a lot closer to Girl Scouting than it would be toward Boy Scouts.

 

[Cindy B]

This sounds exactly like what my little guy would LOVE! I'll have to see if our Y has a program similar.


Thanks! I'll check it out.


My first thought was 4H but even though we live in a small rural town, our neighborhood is very suburban. Do you need land for 4H? We can't raise chickens or goats in this 'hood!

You dont need land for 4H. Look into it. You will most likely find a club that interests your child.

 

[RitaE]

When I was growing up I had a couple of friends active in 4H who did not live on farms. There were local farmers who ..... I guess sponsored or donated barn space or whatever. Anyway, they'd get taken out to the farms a couple times a week to have some hands on time with "their" goats and pigs.

It actually looked kind of fun.

 

[Wishing on a star]

My son has really enjoyed Scouting!

Like yours, he loves to be outdoors. And, for him, he is not equipped to do well in athetics/academics.....

This has been a good niche for him.

He is very close to working on completing Eagle Scout.

In a couple of weeks, the troop is going on a Kayak trip.
This fall, they will be going to Virginia to do the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail.

We are lucky in that I think we have a really, really, great troop.
And, I haven't got the feeling that these religious judgments have been an issue at all.

I have found out that Troops can be as different as night and day. And it all depends on TPTB within that troop.

I just wanted to say that do not judge all scouting because of a statement of policy issued by corporate BSA.... ( I think that there are a lot of people who note the significance of the first two letters of that acronym.)

OP, I totally understand your decision to kind of boycott BSA as a whole.

I just wanted to say that I hope you do find a good program for your son.

And, in the end, if it comes down to it... don't be afraid to at least look into the different troops in your area - if this is what would fulfill your son's needs and wishes.

 

[cntrygal]

Yes, this is our reason. We have gay family members and we choose to support them by not supporting organizations that don't. I have nothing against families who choose to support scouthing though! I actually had no idea the scouts had this policy until today, and we know many lovely families involved in BSA.
This is just a personal choice we've made.

I believetheyrecently recinded that policy

 

[Reddy]

I think the thing with the boy scouts is more for the safety issue - if your son was going camping with a gay male leader then the boys get mad at him - the boys have to claim the leader tried to have sex with them -- how much trouble would there be even if the boys are lying??

as far as gay females then you still have the I don't want my boys seeing her naked or sleeping close to them

just think how many lawsuits would happen to gay leaders

I have no problems with people being gay. But can you see what would happen if they let them??

 

[NC_Tink]

My first thought was 4H but even though we live in a small rural town, our neighborhood is very suburban. Do you need land for 4H? We can't raise chickens or goats in this 'hood!

No, no land needed - also 4-H isn't necessarily agriculturally oriented anymore. There are many 4-H clubs that do nothing with animals. Our local group has "classes" this fall in leadership, photography, gardening (ok - guess this qualifies as agricultural ), robotics, Maps and treasure hunting, etc. So, if you look, you may find a group that fits your child's interests. Good luck! I've heard good things about the Y-programs as well

 

[monkeybug]

My son has really enjoyed Scouting!

Like yours, he loves to be outdoors. And, for him, he is not equipped to do well in athetics/academics.....

This has been a good niche for him.

He is very close to working on completing Eagle Scout.

In a couple of weeks, the troop is going on a Kayak trip.
This fall, they will be going to Virginia to do the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail.

We are lucky in that I think we have a really, really, great troop.
And, I haven't got the feeling that these religious judgments have been an issue at all.

I have found out that Troops can be as different as night and day. And it all depends on TPTB within that troop.

I just wanted to say that do not judge all scouting because of a statement of policy issued by corporate BSA.... ( I think that there are a lot of people who note the significance of the first two letters of that acronym.)

OP, I totally understand your decision to kind of boycott BSA as a whole.

I just wanted to say that I hope you do find a good program for your son.

And, in the end, if it comes down to it... don't be afraid to at least look into the different troops in your area - if this is what would fulfill your son's needs and wishes.

Oh please know that I absolutely do not think that most of the parents, den parents, or scouts have anything to do with this policy, or even support it! The families that we know that are involved in scouting certainly don't.
I would love to sign my little guy up, and I know he would love it, but we have made the difficult decision not to support them until they change their policy. Only because that is what feels right for our family, I completely respect and understand why others would choose differently.

 

[RitaE]

Just to be clear. The Boy Scouts have not rescinded their policy on Gay membership. In fact, they just made the news for reaffirming their stance.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/apnewsbreak-boy-scouts-reaffirm-ban-gays-16794122#.UAW4bo7b8UU

Further - their policy is not only a ban on Gay scout leaders, they also have a National office policy on refusing membership and excluding youth who proclaim themselves to be gay, although many local troops and Councils turn a blind eye toward that.

 

[monkeybug]

No, no land needed - also 4-H isn't necessarily agriculturally oriented anymore. There are many 4-H clubs that do nothing with animals. Our local group has "classes" this fall in leadership, photography, gardening (ok - guess this qualifies as agricultural ), robotics, Maps and treasure hunting, etc. So, if you look, you may find a group that fits your child's interests. Good luck! I've heard good things about the Y-programs as well

I am definitely looking into 4H! Sounds right up his ally.

 

[monkeybug]

I think the thing with the boy scouts is more for the safety issue - if your son was going camping with a gay male leader then the boys get mad at him - the boys have to claim the leader tried to have sex with them -- how much trouble would there be even if the boys are lying??

as far as gay females then you still have the I don't want my boys seeing her naked or sleeping close to them

just think how many lawsuits would happen to gay leaders

I have no problems with people being gay. But can you see what would happen if they let them??

I'm pretty sure that further back in our history some people probably made similar arguments as to why a black person shouldn't be a leader. I personally feel like if you don't think it would be ok to exclude someone based on their race or gender, then it shouldn't be ok to exclude them based on sexual preference either.