Brian Kasal On Four Ways Scouting Helps Prepare Kids For Adulthood
Career changes, layoffs, bank failures, breakneck-speed technology advancements -
all of these things combine to make for a fast-paced and complicated world. The Boy Scouts of America celebrated their 100 year anniversary in February. They are still offering a great platform for boys to develop skills that will not only help them in their youth, but prepare them to better deal with the challenges of the current world. How can scouting help our kids?Fosters self-esteem. A high self-esteem is the best tool a person can have in dealing with the challenges of modern society. Kids that have participated in scouting have experience with cooperation and team-building, leadership, and have learned the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving goals. People that have never had the opportunity to participate in scouting may think that merit badges were just busy work, but any scout can tell you that they were hard work and created a great sense of pride when they were accomplished.
Sense of value and belonging. The fast pace of life today can pull people in dozens of different directions, which leaves most feeling very disconnected. Scouts have learned the value and benefits of belonging to a pack and having a positive connection with others. When this sense of belonging is nurtured, like it is in scouting, kids grow up with an attitude of reaching out, connecting and giving back. Communities as a whole, as well as individuals, benefit greatly from this positive attitude.
Accountability. Scouts learned that cooperation was an important aspect of life and being held accountable for your part of the activities was mandatory. You couldnt oversleep at camp if it was your day to get the campfire going for breakfast. Simple responsibilities like this teach a scout that they are important and that following through on their promises is as important. In a world full of litigation and finger-pointing, people that maintain accountability for their actions are extremely valued and respected members of society.
Teamwork. You cant set up camp or break down camp very effectively on your own. Scouts learn these skills at camp, as well as with other troop activities. Kids that grow up only participating in competitive activities can miss out on important life skills, such as teamwork and cooperation. Having drive is important as an adult, but it is much more powerful if it is coupled with knowing how to effectively be a member of a team.
These four skills are important skills to have in todays world. Scouting gives kids the opportunity to learn them at a young age, while having fun in a safe, adventure-filled environment. The lessons arent just printed on a page, they are experienced through activities and they are used over and over in adulthood.
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