Scouting provides the kind of positive childhood experiences (PCE’s) that Johns Hopkins University found to be necessary for kids to grow into resilient, mentally healthy adults. These include participation in community traditions, having supportive friends, and feeling as though at least two non-parent adults truly care about them.
These 7 PCE’s are spotlighted below to illustrate how Scouting provides them to young people throughout their participation in the Scouting program:
1. The ability to talk with family about feelings. Scouts and families are encouraged to review the Youth Protection Guide together before participating in the program and embarking on rank advancement.
2. The sense that family is supportive during difficult times. Scouting provides a multitude of avenues for kids and their families to overcome struggles and achieve success, from backpacking 50 miles to leading peers through a community service project.
3. The enjoyment of participation in community traditions. Not only has Scouting itself been a community tradition for more than 100 years, the program provides opportunities for kids to be a part of long-standing local traditions such as food drives, parades and paying tribute to fallen veterans.
4. Feeling a sense of belonging in high school. Scouting is one constant that provides a positive circle of fellowship as young people embark on the difficult transition from middle school to high school.
5. Feeling supported by friends. Scouting creates lifelong friendships as Scouts grow with one another year after year and discover personal passion areas, like Stephen Spielberg. The acclaimed film director highlights his Scouting influence in his recent movie “The Fablemans”.
6. Having at least two non-parent adults who genuinely cared. Scouting always has adults outside a child’s immediate family who are ready to guide and uplift them. Our council’s ratio of more than 7,000 leaders mentoring 10,000 kids is unmatched in youth serving programs, especially compared to sports or other after school activities.
7. Feeling safe and protected by an adult in the home. Youth Protection training teaches Scouts that they deserve to feel safe at all times and encourages families to have meaningful conversations about youth safety. These discussions can provide emotional stability and connection for children and their parents.
Ready to join? Great! Click the button below and you’ll be taken to BeAScout.org, the Boy Scouts of America’s online registration system. There, you’ll be able to find the Cub Scout Pack(s) closest to you and sign up. You may need to change the zip code selected to find a pack closer to you.
Scouting provides the kind of positive childhood experiences (PCE’s) that Johns Hopkins University found to be necessary for kids to grow into resilient, mentally healthy adults. These include participation in community traditions, having supportive friends, and feeling as though at least two non-parent adults truly care about them.