Disclosure: This is a sponsored post courtesy of The Motherhood.

I was asked to go to a Boy Scout event this weekend in my hometown. I haven’t been to a Boy Scout event so I was curious. I will admit to being a Brownie several years ago but aside from the creed and my outfit my memory is a little fuzzy. I do remember the friends I made, the cookies I sold, and the places we went to but I have no idea if I earned any badges. I thought it would be nice to investigate what the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts had to offer my sons.

We arrived to a place that is normally a field and we were immediately pulled into the expedition of Lewis and Clark the theme of event this year. They create an educational theme each year for their big celebration and this year was no exception. The event has been going on in our  community for the last 36 years. This events location is made possible through an agreement that the Boy Scouts will do a project to support the conservation of the trails in exchange for using the hosts land.

This is why Boy Scouts are a great idea for your son:

• Experiences
• Fellowship
• Service
• Selflessness
• Ethics
• Teamwork
• Knowledge
• Exercise

“The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.

 

For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.” Boys Scouts 

    I really didn’t know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. Our tour guide Michael who
explained the event to us greeted us then we took a walk back though time. The event featured period costumes, teepees, and black smiths.

We were educated on the Lewis and Clarke expedition. I even learned a couple of things. Then my boys were off to figure out how to shoot bow and arrows, bb guns, and make leather patches. These were all new experiences for them and they were excited to learn.

I guess as a mom we think we have taught our children so much. We take them places and send them to school. The truth is we can’t teach them everything. I watched the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts interact with one another. They slept in tents, cooked for one another, and they ran the event. They were the leaders and I saw something I really liked. It was parental involvement. We have moved away from hands on experiences with our kids. I see it everywhere kids have games in their hands because parents need a break. I think we need to move back to the days where we showed our kids “how” and helped teach them the skills they will need for their future.

I enjoyed watching the kids cooperate, participate, and be encouraged to try new things. I watched as they learned how things were once done. I think the Boy Scouts teaches children about hard work, planning a project, and making changes, and developing the determination to see their work come to fruition. It was quite an event and to know that each person there contributed to the day made it special.

I believe that leadership begins in the home. It is further developed by the experiences we provide our children. We need to invest in their future by providing experiences that are out of their comfort zone. I encourage you to try a Boy Scout event. I know that my son was so excited he began to try to figure out how he could join and play soccer. I guess I never realized he was missing out on something until I saw it with my own eyes. I enjoyed the event but I know the leadership skills and civic responsibility that they children are taught extend their journey up the Boy Scout Ranks. The organization encourages experiences and as a parent I would like my child to have as many experiences as possible. I thank the Boy Scout Community for welcoming my family and showing us a day in their life it is one my sons will not forget.

About Boy Scouts of America’s: Build an Adventure

If you make Scouting a part of children’s lives, they have the chance to participate in a wide variety of fun adventures that parents are unlikely to provide on their own for their children on a routine basis. Kids will catch fish, climb rocks, explore caves, help people, race cars, camp out, make friends, and much more.

Scouting builds a solid foundation of character, values and education that stays with a child for a lifetime. There is a small window to make a meaningful impact on children and shape who they may become as adults. Scouting helps to fill this critical need and make the most of right now.

Scouting provides fun ways for young people to learn how to do the right thing and have a positive impact on their communities.

Join their movement on

Connect scouts with local troops, visit BeAScout.org

Check out the latest on Boy Scouts of America like them on Facebook: Facebook.com/BoyScoutsofAmerica and follow them on Twitter: @BoyScouts.

Join Boy Scouts now!