Boy Scout parents?

[binny]

DS can join scouts this year and he's really excited. Can you tell me what to expect as far as activities, costs, and membership?

Thanks

BTW he's 8 and going into grade 3

 

[PigletsPal]

Congrats. My (3) sons are all in the Boys Scouts: 17 yo and from my lips to god's ears an Eagle Scout by Dec.'03, 15 yo (life scout) and my 12 yo (tenderfoot).
Now all this info is based on my experience in S.Fl. It could differ from state to state.
Your son will be in the Cub Scouts (blue uniforms) which run around $80+ and his book around $8, then you have your Pack dues (which your pack will let you know what that is) it usually goes for any patches they earn over the school year. And sometimes you will have a den dues (covers any supplies used in your meeting to help with advancement.
All in all it would cost you about the same if he would join say baseball, soccer, etc.
My husband and I were both leaders for my youngest son. And I was also the advancement chair person. The best advice I can give you (if you have the time) is help out your pack, becasue the pack is only has good as the parents helping. And we all want the boys to have a really great time.
Some packs like to camp alot and some don't. You will also have funraisers to help with ex: car washes, selling candy.
I hope this helps some.
I have such great memories of our time in the Pack. They grow up so fast.

Enjoy!!

 

[Kirby]

My son is currently working on his Eagle and will have his project completed next month (hopefully).

As far as cost, I agree that it will cost you about the same as it would if he were going into sports. Uniform costs differ as each pack has different uniform requirements. My son's pack required them to just wear the shirts with jeans. Others require the whole uniform.

Now when he gets into Boy Scouts the price gets a little higher but it is worth every penny. The boys learn leadership skills that will help them later in life. And its a known fact that Eagle Scouts go on to be successful in their adult lives.

Cub and Boy Scouts need parent support and involvement so plan on doing so. It's fun!

 

[Pam]

We just had our son's Eagle Scout ceremony on June 28th. He passed his Eagle Scout board of Review in Feb. when he was 14, he just recently turned 15. He's been involved with Scouts since he was 7 and in first grade.


In Cub Scouts, we were only required to buy the shirt and scarf. In Boy Scouts, my DS owns a couple of shirts, about 6 pairs of shorts, and two pairs of pants. He insists on wearing the full Class A uniform, and attends many Scouting and OA activities, including National Scout Jamboree, Philmont, etc. - hence he has the need for a lot of the clothes.

A lot of the Boy Scouts own the shirts, but not the shorts and pants.

Both Cub and Boy Scouts have annual fall popcorn sales, this really helps you put some money into your son's account. My DS pays for about 75% of his Scouting activities this way. Our troop is highly involved in camping, hikes, waterwater rafting, trips to Washington D.C., Gettysburg, etc. Our family does get involved and we all reap the benefits!!

I will second Kirby's sentiments - the Scouting program has helped my son mature into a responsible, caring young man.

And, Kirby, you tell your son that I am so proud of him!! What is his Eagle project? We went with the OA Native American themed ceremony and just blew everyone out of the water with it. People who had never attended an Eagle Court of Honor or knew what the Scouting program were very impressed!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Our pack and troop require a Class A shirt and a pack/troop t-shirt. The boys wear jeans unless they choose to buy shorts and pants. Sometimes you can find a shirt on ebay or through goodwill that will save you a little money. Our pack/troop also has a closet for outgrown shirts, to help folks who can't could use a little help. I've also heard of uniform exchanges, but never actually seen one.

Much of the advancement costs are covered by our pack/troop, but that depends on your situation. Our dens have dues, our patrols have camping dues and of course there is the yearly fee for being a member.

I agree that the cost is similar to sports and is worth every penny. My DS is a Life Scout and is working on his Eagle.

 

[Kirby]

And, Kirby, you tell your son that I am so proud of him!! What is his Eagle project?

Thank you! He received his Life rank and immediately launched into working on his project. He has a couple of Eagle merit badges still to earn but he wanted to go ahead and get started on his project.

He is refurbishing a park in a small town close by. His project entails cutting down dead trees/trimming trees and putting the wood in a designated area for a controlled burn as a learning device for new volunteer firemen. Digging out the old dirt around playground equipment, lining the area with plastic and filling it with playground mulch. Repairing broken playground equipment. There may be one or two more things but I can't think of the them at the moment. He has already gotten all of his donations and it looks like that he will complete it in August.

 

[smiley]

My son just about to reach the rank of Star. As far as cost, it really depends on your troop and the activities they do. My son's troop goes on a camp out once a month and a week long camp during the summer. They have a Holiday greens sale in October, it is optional for them to sell, but 100% of the profits go into their individual scout account so most of them sell the greens. They also recycle Christmas trees in early January. The money they make from that also goes directly into their accounts. Between the greens and recycling my son added almost $400 to his account this year and has been using the money to support his camping trips, which can add up over time.

Scouting is a great program and has taught all of us as a family a whole lot!

 

[Cinders]

Dont expect him to do the activities that are described as being done by a Troop. He'll be a cub and will work on the Bear Trail. Once he is registered you can start working on achievements in his book....some things are easier done in the warmer months. His den may take "field trips" to places like a radio station, newspaper, store, police dept, or EMS base. Uniforms are up to each pack....ours requires the shirt (I highly recommend the short sleeved one), neckerchief and slide. For prices check out Scout Stuff
Dues are also up to each Pack. Ours only charges $10 that gets sent directly to BSA. The pack pays for Boys Life Magazine, all awards (we sometimes win a Council wide award and get free rewards for a year), refreshments and entertainment at Pack Meets. Den dues should be no more than $.25-.50 per den meeting. Some dens will serve a snack and drink that parents can take turns providing. Our pack is active in the summer with Day camp, resident camp, family camping weekend, Memorial Parade, Flag Retirement, parade for our towns festival and a special event we vote on each year. Community service is a big part of our purpose too. Membership will just be filling out a form and paying the registration fee. While you're filling his out, fill out an adult volunteer form for yourself too.

Our fundraisers are popcorn sales in fall, cake auction in March, and spring popcorn where the profit earned by the scouts helps pay for them to attend day camp and resident camp. Our pack pays $10 of the $30 day camp fee and $50 of the $90 resident camp fee.

Great sites
MacScouter
BSA
Crafts

 

[fklhou]

My son is an Eagle Scout with five palms and is still active in Sea Scout Crew. I am the COR Chartered Organization Representative for our Troop, Pack and Ship.

The Cub Scout program requires a Class A uniform and a book plus the Pack dues. Each Pack is done differently and so this will vary. At this stage, you are restricted to family campling, i.e. the scout needs to accompanied by a family member. Later in Boy Scouts, you do regular camping.

Have fun. My son is a senior and will be applying to colleges next year. We have been told that the Eagle Scout rank is very impressive to most colleges.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Good luck! Get ready to become busier than you already are! DS was in scouts the last 2 years. At least with his den, there was a lot for the parents to do with them. More than I had time for! He won't be enrolled this coming year. And last year they "conveniently" added $20 to their dues to cover a camping trip. Well, DS didn't go on a camping trip and they didn't refund my $20! He was in with a group younger than him since they couldn't get parents to help out from his class. I'll save my money this year.