If so, what do you think of the organization? What do you think of the recent sex abuse cover-up that is in the news right now? I've considered Boy Scouts for my son when he is old enough but this news is really upsetting and scary. They kept secret files on the sex abusers and didn't fire them or report them.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100319/ap_on_re_us/us_boy_scouts_sex_abuse_4
My son is in Cub Scouts, and I believe he cannot be a Boy Scout until he's going into 6th grade. I think you need to be active in your child's life, including scouts. It sounds like this is an older case, and maybe the organization is more proactive now. I have no idea about any cover ups, but my son's Webelo book this year had a tear out booklet for parents to go over safety with your children--from internet safety to how your child should walk away from situations that could lead to molestation or worse.
Honestly, before my son joined the scouts, I was kind of leary from the press I've seen about cub scouts. But when found out my son's friend's family ran a local pack, we decided to give it a try. I belonged to Girl Scouts a few years as a child, and Cub Scouts has impressed me greatly. I think it not only encourages positive values, but it helps teach practical life skills above and beyond camping.
If you find a troop where you have confidence in the leaders or decide to become a leader yourself, Cub Scouts is a great organization and I would encourage families to join.
My son is in Cub Scouts. We haven't had any issues here and they encourage the parents to be involved in the meetings and stuff. It's sad that it happened but it's not happening everywhere. Tonight we have our blue and gold banquet.
I am a leader with the Boy Scouts of America, and I had received extensive training in how to spot and prevent any type of abuse. We also have a very strict policy that there always must be at least 2 trained adults with a group of children. If one adult has to leave, then everyone must leave. Scouts must also always have a buddy with them at all times. These policies are in place to prevent one scout from being alone with one adult. I do wish that the BSA would implement FBI criminal background checks for all volunteers, but it is very costly and the BSA has thousands of adult volunteers nation wide. I personally have had an FBI criminal background check for another volunteer job that I have, but I still insist on there always being another trained adult leader in the room with me at all times that there are boys present.
This case is old and has very little bearing on how the Boy Scouts of America runs it's programs today. Because of cases like this, there has been a huge change in policy and training for leaders and scouts alike.
Cub Scouting is for boys in grades 1-5, Boy Scouting is for boys age 11-18, and Venture Crew is for boys and girls ages 14-20. I have to agree with Barabell on all of the benefits of scouting, so please don't let something that happened 30 years ago keep you from signing your son up for the greatest adventure of his life.
If you want to know more about the BSA, let me know. Every major city in the US has a BSA council office with a website that you can check out for lots more info on their programs in your area.
My son is in Cub Scouts and DH is his den leader. Parents are required to be at all meetings and activities so I am confident there is no funny buisness going on in DS' pack. Personally, I love cub scouts. I have met some great people, we do a ton of fun stuff and my son is learing a lot about being a good citizen, among other things.
I forgot to mention in my earlier post that when an adult registers to be a leader with the BSA they take down their SS#, name, address, and they also ask for 3 non-relative references. So they are checking volunteers out on the local level, just not on the national level.
My son is in cub scouts and he really loves it. I don't have a problem with anyone in our troop. I am always there when he is and I will be going to camp with him this spring. I have not read the article and feel horrible for whoever was involved.
Sister's kids' parties and events....too much...need advice
- LiveLoveLaugh
on Mar. 19, 2010 at 4:38 PM