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

submitted 19 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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[–] nadram@lemmy.world 4 points 18 hours ago (3 children)

It's a religious entity. I spent 10 years there as a child and just drowned out the world to get past the religious bits of it. Will never encourage my kids to join. I'll give them the joy and knowledge of the great outdoors without the scouts.

[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 1 points 13 hours ago

Scouts are very much not religious. They do mention god in the oath, and value a moral guiding force. But it’s up to you if you want to pursue something for your beliefs with your religious community. I don’t recall there ever being anything religious or for a specific religion within scouts itself

Every major belief system dies have a merit badge but you choose to pursue them outside scouting. admittedly nothing specific to atheists, but there’s no reason you need to follow any and most scouts didnt

[–] Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

This is true, but also heavily dependent on the leader. My girl scout expeirence was not religous at all. The boy scout (Scouts now) seems.. .. seems like I dont know enough, but the wording is definately more fasc and patriarical.

[–] 1dalm@lemmy.today 1 points 27 minutes ago

I really recommend you actually read some of the requirements.

The Scouts are very, I would say, "classically conservative", meaning they lean very heavy on traditional conservative values, like helping others and being an active member of a community. Yes it's very patriotic, but it's patriotic from a position of service to your community and participation in you local democracy. I honestly can't think of anything "fascist" at all. (The fact that MAGA hates the boy scouts should be evidence enough of this.)