Scouts / Girl Guides

[Vec-trance]

After an interesting discussion at work today I was wondering:

A) What do you think of Scouts / Girl Guides?
B) What's the general perception of the Leaders?
C) Would you enlist your kids?

[big rich]

After an interesting discussion at work today

i would of been board stupid lol

[JagRigger]

..... you could also throw in the various military Cadet organisations.

I teach at one of these, as do quite a few other serving, and ex-Forces personnel.

[Ste]

All the staff will have had police screening, as they work with kids.

Personally I am in favour of youth organisations. When I was a kid I was in the local air training corps. It enabled me to do a whole host of things that otherwise I would never have had the opportunity to do.

eg, shooting (small and full bore)
canoeing
climbing
orientering
camping
overseas trips
etc
etc

It also builds a certain level of independance and self reliance, confidence and helping out the local community.

Yes, sometimes it was hard work (for a teenager at least) and there needed to be some commitment. But the rewards were well worth this effort.

I would recommend any teenager to do this sort of thing as it benefits them personally and also the local community.

[WeDesign]

Im time served in the Cubs and Scouts, was a great time of my life especially on the wet windy mountains wrapped up in a bivi bag

[Thomas1]

I don't have kids yet, so maybe I'm naive, but I'd rather spend my time teaching my kids manners, common sense, civic duty etc etc, rather than them having to don a uniform and learn it from a stranger. However, you see a lot of kids about whose parents apparently don't give a monkey's uncle about what they do all day and how they behave, and some of those kids probably would benefit from being in some form of club.

[Ste]

Thomas, of course you are right. But doing this kind of thing doesn't replace parental activity, but simply reinforces it and polishes it and gives it an outlet too. Along with all the other benefits.

I did something almost every weekend, especially in the warmer months - something parents may not have the time or resources or knowledge to do.

Also, it gets young people into a far more independant way of thinking. eg If they are stuck up a mountain and only got what kit they took and there's only 3 or 4 other teenagers there, they have to make decisions and with the necessary guidance and training from experienced, knowledgable people they can make the right decision.

It generally fosters good self development through experience, training and above all brings out respect for others and the community at large. It was a very positive thing for me and all my new friends that I made there - some of them are still friends to this day.

[Zark]

as the others have said... i was in the Boys' Brigade as a youngster and stayed on to help out as staff once i was too old... Brilliant times - all the sport i could wish for, camping/expeditions and stuff i just wouldn't ever have got the opportunity for otherwise (climbing, canoeing) It's not a replacement for parental development or family activities - it's extra... and how often are you going to get a chance to go abseiling off a scary bridge in the dark as a family??

As for the staff - some are better than others... but most do it because they love doing it and love working with kids Yes, they are all checked etc...

When i see groups of kids hanging around moaning 'there's nothing to do' it drives me bananas... There's loads to do - get off your lazy a$$ and go and do it FFS!!!!!!!!

[moorlander]

my youngest (8 later this month) has been in Beavers (was cubs in my day!) for around 6 months now, he went on a camping trip (actually stayed indoors because of his age) which he loved & went to Eureka before xmas. The "staff" who run it are good & put quite a bit of time & effort into it...

[Gregg]

I went to cubs to about the age of 10 very good and you learny alot of basic survival skills which children dont know naturally and did various trips out.
However with my line of work you have to ensure these leaders are CRB checked most should be these days but you never can tell id certaintly ask if everyone who works/helps has one