United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Are any of your children in the boy scouts or cub scouts? I was just wondering what the age group is for the cub scouts and how your son likes it? I was considering putting Peyton maybe in cub scouts if he is the right age. My husband thinks it's kind of dorky but I think Peyton would enjoy it.

Ok, I found it, they start at age 7, oh well, Peyton has a couple of years yet.

My son started cub-scouts in first grade. He was a tiger cub. During the first year, all the parents take turns running the group with lots of help from other parents. We loved it because it gave us the opportunity to do lots of organized activities as a family.

We went on trips to the railroad, the stamp museum, and a nature habitat. We also did public service projects such as collecting canned goods around Thanksgiving (Scouting for Food) and Caroling at the Nursing Home.

The kids had a ball. He stayed in it through 4th grade when they started "camping out". He really does not want to spend the night away from home. We have tried going with him and he is so afraid that he'll be put in a situation where he won't be around us....that he just decided to quit. Soooo....we are giving it a few years.

I have to admit, it does have it's dorky moments...but overall we had fun.

It depends who sponsors the Pack. We have always gone through our church and they don't start until the age of 8....(they don't do tiger cubs).

All 5 of my older boys have been through cub scouts then joined Boy scouts...On a BPI note on some things Jameson has had a hard time...like they made and walked on stilts...He couldn't do that and it made him mad. Then there's the pledge thing and the raise the right hand thing....it can be a pain....In boy Scouts though they shake with the left hand!!!

I think scouts are good for a lot of different reasons....they teach good values....Some men (my husband included) used to tease the other boys who do scouts so now that their sons are interested in it.... it is a hard pill to swallow!!!

If you think it's something you want to do I'd definately do it.
T.

My son is 9 and he desparately wanted to do scouts. I was the one who was not interested.
There are bpi issues that come up, but as with everything he manages to find a way to do the activities.

This year at the camp there was archery and BB gun shooting. Both were very difficult and we had a few tears of frustration. During free time we went back to both activities and worked on positions that would work. The leaders were very helpful and willing to work with John so that he could be successful.

The great thing about scouts is that the parents are involved at the young ages.

John saw me writing this and wants to add that scouts is great and if they can't get there hand up for the salute and stuff it is OK. Just tell the leader and it will be fine cause they're nice or at least they should be!

John loves scouts. I think if the kids want to do it then go ahead.
Pam

Now here is a subject I can help you with! My son is an Eagle Scout... the highest rank in boy scouts.

Scouting can be great for kids. There are pros and cons...let me start with what I found to be the cons. Adam started in scouts in kindergarten as a Tiger Cub. Our Cub leader was an idiot! There is just no way to suger coat it the guy did not have a clue. As they move up in the cub scouts two things can be an issue...once again leadership and secondly the boys may get bored. As they move into boy scouts which is in middle school the issue can become time. Things start to conflict. Adam ran into a problem with scouts and marching band.

It is really important to find a good pack/troop. When Peyton gets old enough check out several packs and make sure they will mesh with what you are looking for. Make sure the leadership is there.

The last con that I can think of was my own personal problem... I had an issue with the "good ole boy" network within scouts.

Pro's....just about everything. Adam did things and learned things that I would never have been able, and in some cases willing, to teach him. He learned to work with and like other boys that he probably would not have even talked to at school. He learned to give back to his community, even if it is in a small way. Some of the skills he learned will carry through to everyday life. Now, Adam does not have BPI. But, let me tell you about another boy, Danny.

Danny, is a couple years older than Adam, and has cerebal palsy. He uses crutches to walk and at times even a wheel chair. His speech is slurred, he has some control over his arms and legs. When the church they attend decided to sponsor a troop, they signed Danny up. Danny went into the troop using his crutches all the time. He would not even try to walk without them, which was an issue with his therapist and family. With the help of his leaders and the boys they started to encourage Danny to try and walk a few steps without the crutches. Eventually, Danny would drop his crutches at the door at every scout meeting and walk into the meetings. There were a couple times Danny forgot his crutches at the meetings! LOL He always left the crutches at his seat when he received his advancements and had to walk up in front of the room. Danny was never treated differently because of his "handicap".

Boy Scouts of America even have troops specifically for boys with special needs. It is a great organization. One I strongly encourage people to explore. It is not for everyone BUT it does have something for everyone.

Joy

I have only the greatest memories from all my years in Scouting (Cubs, Boy Scouts, the college fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and as an adult leader). I am a left tbpi (at age 6)and was one of the first scouts in the country to take advantage of the change in regulations way back in 1966 that allowed handicapped scouts to substitute for previously rigid merit badge requirements. One of my (and my parents') proudest moments was receiving my Eagle. Certainly, there were times of frustration but there were also times of tremendous growth and fellowship. Much of the confidence I developed in dealing with things on my own, using my imagination to develop alternative methods, came from Scouting. As to archery, try it from the sitting position with the bow braced by one or both feet. It takes a totally different perspective on aiming but it can be done. BB guns or any long gun can be shot using a rest to hold up the barrel. The important part of the pledge is not how you hold your arm and hand but what is said and believed.