Those That Have Experienced Boyscouts

My first grader is in cub scouts and I've had some of the same issues you mentioned. He has a younger brother who is 5, and since my husband travels I've always had to take younger brother with us to den meetings. And it's very hard. Our den did little activities that they wanted the "parent partner" to help the scout with, and his younger brother didn't understand why he had to stay on the sidelines and watch, not participate. It's gotten to the point recently where, if my husband is in town and can take him to scouts, he goes. If not, I don't take him because it's just too tough.

The boyscouts are great. My little brother was in it for years. I was a girlscout, too. My Dad was den leader for a year. I went along with them on all campouts (as did a lot of other siblings.) It was so much fun. I met one of my life-long best friends on one of those campouts. You should give it a try to see if it works for you & your little boy.

My Husband and I have been experienced in Cub/Boy Scouts for 7 years. We have three boys currently 12,10, and 8. My oldest son started Cub Scouts when he was in second grade, My husband also has variable hours. 1st graders are in the Tiger program which requires a parent to be there as a partner. From second grade up, parent attendance is encouraged but in many Packs, not required (the intent is that if the parent can attend they can better understand what the boy's requirements are). With the Pack's we have been involved with as long as the siblings were reasonably behaved it was not a problem to have them around (check with pack leadership). Our children often attended meetings with their brother and later joined the pack as well. A den meeting should last anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half (again check with pack leadership). We take care to respect school nights and bed times. Our meetings begin at 6:30 (to allow for family dinner and homework) and are typically completed by 7:30. Some Packs opt for a later time.
Campouts at the Cubscout level are normally family events, all are welcome. It's a great opportunity to get away from the television and game systems and learn aout the outdoors as a family with guidance from BSA trained leaders.
Most areas have multiple Packs, some associated with chuches, professional organizations, etc. Contact the local council office to find out what units are available. Our own unit is chartered by the Air Force Association.
In short Scouting is a great family adventure and one of the most fullfilling outlets for young boys to learn Patriotism, community spirit, friendship, manners, outdoor life, just to name a few.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
S. I

Really depends on the den, some allow kids some dont. My sons den was open to other kids being there but, also allowed drop off. My advice is before you join a den, talk to the leaders about your concerns to see if its a fit

My son is in 2nd grade and has been in for 2 yrs. now. In 1st grade a parent had to be present at all activities and meetings; 2nd grade can be a drop off situation. Fortunately my husband loves scouting and attends 99% of all the functions. Thankfully the meetings are on Fri. nights so the bed time is not as much of an issue. There also tends to be fewer conflicts because fo sport schedules - kids rarely practice or have games on Fri. evenings (at least at this age).

I have a friend in another state who organized a sitter exchange for siblings during meetings to allow most parents to attend. Her son's mtgs. were at a church so she got the church to provide an additional room adjacent to the meeting and parents traded off "sitting" - it usually involved a family-friendly movie, popcorn and drinks.

Scouting is such a great outlet for so many boys. My son has made friends he might not have ever met if it were not for scouts. Look into it and talk to the leader when the time starts. See how flexible your son's leaders. It may not be as big an issue as you might think. Good luck!

M.,
Go for it! Scouting is one of the most rewarding activities your boys could do. Cub Scouts is parent-lead and in my son's pack, there were always plenty of families at meetings and events. Even our Pinewood Derby had a division for siblings. The goal was to get the siblings interested in scouting so they would eventually want to join as well (not so easy for girls though since most would rather join cub scouts than brownies after hanging out with the boys). The meetings are normally held at a church although sometimes at local schools but this also means that there's normally a place you can take your younger ones if they get to be too disruptive during a meeting. The church we meet at is very open and lets our parents use the nursery and of course the play ground is always a popular hangout for the younger ones when it's nice out. The meetings aren't normally that late- 6-7:30 for cubbies. My son's scout troop meets from 7-8:30 but since they're older by this point, it's fine with us and allows us to get other stuff done before getting to the meeting. Plus, once they're Scouts, you don't have to stay for the meeting. I normally stay during one meeting a month for council meeting and drop him off the rest of the time (my husband and I were never into Scouts and aren't Scoutmasters or anything).

Cub Scouts typically don't do a lot of camping and when they do, it's usually family camping once or twice a year, however there is no requirement for that. Some boys go with a friend and his family if his family can't go or they don't go until older (4th or 5th grade). After they cross-over to Boy Scouts, then they start doing a lot of camping. Boy Scouts is supposed to be "Boy Lead" though so normally in an active troop with older boys and scoutmasters, you don't have as much "family camping" anymore.

Anyway, my son loves Scouts. Even as a middle schooler with it being socially unacceptable, you'd be amazed at the number of boys who do it- they just don't admit it to their friends that much. Kind of sad if you ask me because I think it's a great thing to be involved in but middle schoolers are very judgemental and they always want to "fit in". At some point most of them grow out of that though.

Good luck!