As a mom to 3 boys I often find myself mystified by the things they enjoy doing. Despite my many protests, making farting noises, burp contests and random ninja kicks are all commonplace at our house. I try to lend my motherly touch to calm their craziness and make them into little gentlemen, but I don’t want to squelch their boyness altogether. So how does an admittedly girly mom foster all of that decidedly Y-chromosome behavior?
Simple, she enrolls her son(s) in Boy Scouts.
The introduction into the “club” for little ones is Cub Scouts. But what is it all about? What do they do? What do they teach? These are all common questions among parents who are not familiar with the organization. Here is some info to point you in the right direction.
The Cub Scouts caters to boys entering the first through the fifth grade. The Scouts are devoted to teaching young boys to help others, to embrace new skills and adventures and to hold themselves to a high moral standard. Boys in Cub Scouting belong to a small group where they take part in interesting and meaningful activities with their friends. The adult leaders who conduct and supervise Cub Scouting activities are carefully selected. These leaders must meet strict qualifications set by the national organization, and must be approved by the organization that sponsors the pack to ensure that they are good role models.
Activities with the Cub Scouts include:
- Sports such as baseball, soccer, and swimming which develops physical fitness, teamwork, fair play, cooperation, and good sportsmanship.
- Hands-on learning experiences about art, science, music, and computers which inspires the imagination of youth and sharpens their interest in learning.
- Projects in woodworking, leatherworking, and sculpture that teaches the value of planning and patience and gives them confidence in their abilities.
- Outdoor adventures such as camping, hiking, and fishing that conveys an appreciation for nature and teaches the importance of preserving our environment.
