Why the Change to Whole Family Scouting and Including Girls

I remember taking a Business Ethics class in college and I will never forget the discussion we had about Rockefeller. Depending on whom you talk to, he is either viewed as a villain or a visionary. I had never realized the subtle (and not so subtle) nuances of his views on business. We were tasked with explaining why we did or didn’t agree with his tactics and bringing supporting evidence to our decision. This discussion and topic was life-changing for me and taught me to take a more active role in making my own decisions about what I considered to be ethical and what I considered to be unethical.

Fast-forward a few years to when I was pregnant with my daughter, and I remember having a discussion with my husband about how we were going to raise our little one. We had both grown up with religious upbringings and we wanted to ensure that our daughter grew up with strong moral standards. We come from different religious backgrounds, and yet still found that there were very common threads and themes that resonated with us. We decided then and there that we would bring her up to deeply understand how to make strong, ethical decisions.

When I joined the Boy Scouts of America organization and read the Scout Oath and the twelve points of the Scout Law, I knew I had not only found a place for my daughter to learn to navigate the diverse world today, but also embrace and learn from the changing world. The foundation of the BSA presents a set of tools that will provide her with friends for life and help her to constantly evolve and grow for the better. Scouting is a holistic development program for the youth of America and the Boy Scouts of America’s mission is “to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.” (cue fist pump, sigh of relief, excitement for having support in raising a mentally and physically strong kid)

SO, WHY THE WHOLE FAMILY?

With the changing family dynamics since the inception of Boy Scouts of America, the BSA decided that it was time to live even more fully into the promise of their mission and the purpose of their organization. Most families are dual-earners and there is a need for activities involving the entire family. Families want to spend more time together (I raise my glass to this)! Enter in family Scouting: a “one stop shop” for all of your kids.

Now, parents don’t have to figure out how to be in two places at one time to drop their kids off at various activities – they can go together to Cub Scouts! Logistically, we have seen parents struggle to get everyone to where they need to go, and we know this will help. Research shows that families have less free time than ever and that convenience beats cost as the #1 concern for today’s families. I don’t know about you, but I am ALL ABOUT getting out as a family and having fun together, vs. running around with a ridiculously crazy schedule and never having time for anything!

THE LOGISTICS

One of the biggest concerns that has come up from existing Cub Scout parents is the wish for their sons and daughters to be able to still have their own activities. The way we have structured Cub Scouts going forward gives kids that opportunity. Dens are still all one gender! Packs can be mixed. This is not a mandate; this is an option in order to allow Cub Scouts to better serve the families involved.

BENEFITS

Scouting gives kids a moral foundation to help them navigate both the easy and the hard decisions that they will inevitably have to make in their lives. By instilling the twelve points of the Scout Law, they have the means and a support system to help them move through all of life’s ups and downs.

NEXT STEPS

Join us in the Scouting adventure! Click here for more information on the evolved Cub Scout program. To enroll your son or daughter for the upcoming Scouting season, find the pack or den nearest you to suit your needs. (Seriously, do it! Find their support group and find YOUR support group, too!).

For more frequently asked questions, click here.