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You should consider putting your kid in Scouts (lemmy.today)

submitted 18 hours ago by 1dalm@lemmy.today to c/parenting@lemmy.world

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I'm constantly amazed that scouts isn't more popular with families. I'm a huge supporter of the whole worldwide program (particularly Scouting America and the Girl Scouts in the US).

Yes, let's all acknowledge that there were past abuses that the Boy Scouts ignored and covered up. But, primarily due to the lawsuits associated with those abuses, Scouting America has instituted a lot of really strong child protection policies that arguably make it the safest youth program anywhere.

It's a really great, comparatively cheap, program that offers amazing opportunities to kids and families.

If you find yourself having trouble making friends as an adult, I really recommend looking into it.

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[–] Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

I was a girl scout for 10 years as a kid. Loved it. Wanted to put my son in scouts. The year I was to sign him up, the local leader got arrested for you know what. I just, can't trust it.

I signed him up for Big Brothers/Big Sisters instead, and only after he was old enough to communicate well.

I love scouting. But, Like the catholic church, I just can't. Good program if you know your leaders. My leaders as a kid were two of my Aunts. But, idk. Im glad to see they are addressing the issue though.

[–] 1dalm@lemmy.today 0 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

The child protection policies in Scouting America (previously Boy Scouts) are very rigorous today. If a troop or pack today is following the policies there really isn't any opportunity for an adult to abuse a scout. If you are still interested in scouts you should take the scouts Youth Protection Training to learn for yourself the policies. (I'm a Cubmaster and I strongly recommend, practically beg, all my parents to complete the training.)

But the truth is, there is just no youth organization that doesn't have a history with abuse. It's amazing to me that parents that have every reasonable reservation against putting their kids in scouts seem to have no issues with, like, youth sports -which have way more opportunities for child abuse and instances of it.

[–] 1dalm@lemmy.today 0 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (1 children)

(I don't understand Lemmy people. Who down votes child protection policies?)

[–] Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (1 children)

I didn't. But, trust is broken. Sports dont generally have overnight trips, the comparison isnt really the same. Maybe that is why.

Appreciate you trying to inform and advocate for the reforms made within the organization. It is def going to be an uphill battle.

[–] 1dalm@lemmy.today 1 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

No overnight trips?

You haven't had a kid in sports yet, huh? (Not that there is anything wrong with that.) Over night trips are generally pretty common for any kid in sports over 6th grade.

[–] Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

yes, not only was I in field hocky, my son does baseball. Never an overnight trip.

you just wanna fight. boooo

[–] 1dalm@lemmy.today -2 points 14 hours ago

Does your son play Rec or Select baseball. My kid plays on a select team and I don't know any team that does no travel at all.

(There just generally aren't enough local tournaments to even make that possible and still fill out a season.)