The Scout Association Today?

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spen666

Legendary Member
For reasons I will explain later, I would be interested to know what people's views of the Scout Association today & the role it plays in society now.


I'm not interested in past allegations of abuse, just what role people see it as having today
 

classic33

Leg End Member
They're having problems defining their role.

For too long they've relied on volunteer leaders, who are willing tp give their time, as and when the Scout Association want. Not always doable.
 

Milkfloat

An Peanut
Location
Midlands
Both my kids are sea scouts (one beaver and one a scout) and I volunteer a lot, although I stop short at a uniform. The waiting list is currently over 2 years long, so at least this troop is popular. I have been very pleased with the confidence and new skills it has given the kids, plus the opportunity to experience many new activities I could not get them elsewhere. There is a certain style of ‘leader’ adults at my troop, which I would not say is perfect, but these people are giving up hundreds or even thousands of hours of their time and need to be applauded.
 

Jimidh

Veteran
Location
Midlothian
My son is now an Explorer after going through all the other stages. He's now a Young Leader at the Scouts too.

He was at this year’s Jamborette at Blair Athol and has now got good friends from all over Scotland and overseas.

Scouts has helped developed his Leadership Skills, increased his already good adventurous personality and increased his own social group.

It’s been great for my boy but it’s not for all kids.

I was a Scout myself and had a very similar experience.
 

Milkfloat

An Peanut
Location
Midlands
Can you elaborate?

Most but not all have a certain way of working both with both the kids and the parent volunteers. I have no doubt that their heart is in the right place, but it can certainly come across as harsh, condescending and even in some cases verging on bullying. It is often seen as an impenetrable inner circle and the troop is their troop rather than the kids. Maybe best described as a power trip. However, these same people are giving hours and hours of their time, plus in some cases a lot of personal funds and ultimately without them the troop would fall to pieces.
 
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spen666

spen666

Legendary Member
Thanks for the comments so far.

Is the Scout Association relevant in today's society
 

marinyork

Resting in suspended Animation
Location
Logopolis
I would wonder what the role is in today's society.

I would wonder whether NCS is going to be a direct rival for the scouts/particularly guides. It claims to build many of the same skills through The Challenge. Met quite a lot of youngest millenials/post-millenials that have done this and it's quite compartmentalised do it over the summer, gets taken seriously by employers as proper volunteering and often the person done it comes out so pumped up and confident like Rocky they'll want to deck anyone in the workplace/volunteering world.
 

classic33

Leg End Member
If it stopped trying to re-invent itself, it'd be a bit more relevant.
 

byegad

Legendary Member
Location
NE England
I was a Cub, Scout and Senior Scout from the 1950s-1968. I had a great time, learnt a lot and only left as, at the time they had issues with my growing atheism. I understand this would no longer be an issue but it stopped me volunteering as an adult.
 

Rooster1

I was right about that saddle
My son did cubs and was about to go up to Scouts but... found the whole badge thing boring and hated camping (not surprising as we got hit by a storm and water got into the tent.) It just didn't click with him at all.

I did cubs and scouts and it was good fun.
 

Milkfloat

An Peanut
Location
Midlands
So reflecting the role in society. I think it still has a strong role in society, both for the kids and adults. It promotes teamwork, thinking of society as a whole and also allows kids to bring the best out of themselves.
 
Location
London
Most but not all have a certain way of working both with both the kids and the parent volunteers. I have no doubt that their heart is in the right place, but it can certainly come across as harsh, condescending and even in some cases verging on bullying. It is often seen as an impenetrable inner circle and the troop is their troop rather than the kids. Maybe best described as a power trip. However, these same people are giving hours and hours of their time, plus in some cases a lot of personal funds and ultimately without them the troop would fall to pieces.
Thanks for the (balanced) reply.
Have come across the odd teacher of young kids who I suspect of having entered the "trade" because of socialisation issues helped, for them, by being able to tell little folks what to do - then sometimes forget themselves when talking to adult peers.
 
Location
London
My son did cubs and was about to go up to Scouts but... found the whole badge thing boring and hated camping (not surprising as we got hit by a storm and water got into the tent.) It just didn't click with him at all.

I did cubs and scouts and it was good fun.
Interesting.
I was in the cubs and scouts and really enjoyed it - including the summer camps.

But left in my mid teens as they seemed to be getting too serious about the badge thing. Had enough pressure at the school with sometimes superfluous exams without more from the scouts.

Still, fond memories.

Including the camp in Scotland - leaving the washroom on the last day realised that my toothpaste had been untouched. Squirted half the tube on the grass in case this was noted on my heroic return.

edit - can categorically state that my leaving had nothing to do with, late in my career, an indoor "friendly" hockey match with some vicious hockey stick wielding guides.
 
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spen666

spen666

Legendary Member
I would wonder what the role is in today's society.

I would wonder whether NCS is going to be a direct rival for the scouts/particularly guides. It claims to build many of the same skills through The Challenge. Met quite a lot of youngest millenials/post-millenials that have done this and it's quite compartmentalised do it over the summer, gets taken seriously by employers as proper volunteering and often the person done it comes out so pumped up and confident like Rocky they'll want to deck anyone in the workplace/volunteering world.


got a link to the NCS?
 
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