To force my kids to go to Scouts/Cubs?

[Higory]

I am considering forcing my boys to attend Cubs/Scouts once a week. The church is only a 5 minute walk from our house and it will give them something constructive to do for a couple of hours after school.

They have been before and said they hated it but they never really gave it a chance. They were more interested in rushing back to their Xbox's.

Another positives are the camps etc that will be coming up in Summer.

AIB a witch for forcing them to go?

[ohdearwhatamess]

YABU if they don't like it.

I was forced to go to Brownies as a child and I absolutely hated it. Just not my cup of tea at all. I used to dread Tuesdays (Brownies day).

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

There are so many different things for children to do I think it would be really sad for you to force them to go. I also wasn't keen on Brownies but loved lots of other things I went to.

[dmo]

depends when you sent them, as winters are boring and they dont do much but summer time they are out and about loads
my boys are 11 and 12 and have been going since they were 6 and love it in the summer but would rather stay in on their computers in the winter

[MegBusset]

YABU, if they're forced to go they won't get much out of it. Not everyone likes that kind of structured group activity -- I hated Brownies and dropped out after only a few weeks.

Why not give them a list of activities including stuff like football, judo etc and let them choose one to go to?

[swanriver]

They will love it in the end as it is SOCIAL/team building as well as encouraging individual talents (all those badges). Sometimes it has boring sessions (road safety) which my ds shrugged at, but what's nice is that it is geared up to boys (unlike school imo).
Is it the leaders that they don't like or the activities or the other kids? Not liking leaders might be serious reason for discontinuing, but activities will grow on them.
My shy retiring non-athletic ds has got a lot out of Beavers and Cubs.

[swanriver]

I think if you ask most boys whether they would rather go on computer, or go for a walk, to playground, play game they will ALWAYS choose computer. That doesn't mean you have to listen to this default setting. You sometimes need to drag boys away from computers. Sometimes I have taken ds1 kicking and screaming swimming (aged 8 because he didn't want to "miss" Raven and he is genuinely surprised to find how much he enjoys it when he gets there! And stays in for two hours, and doesn't want to get out. They are not grownups, they do not think ahead, they live for the moment only.
However, if there are other fun outdoor/physical activities they would RATHER do than Scouts, go for those by all means.

[solidgoldshaggingbunnies]

Depends what they dislike about cubs/scouts. Some people do, after all, find them creepy right-wing brainwashing organisations run by closet pedafils.

[girlandboy]

solidgold - blimey

[littlesilversnowbeetle]

of course YABU

and as punishment I insist that you join the freemasons

[JustCallMeGoat]

lol @ solidgold. yabu.

[SammyK]

We told dss he was going to scouts a few years back. He was shy, lacked confidence, was withdrawn. He totally came out of his shell at scouts, got into the activities and challenges in a team environment and loved it! The change in him was lovely to see, sadly the group stopped as not enough leaders.

I am planning on 'enrolling' DS soon as he is old enough as I think with a good leader it can be a really positive activity.

OP are you just wanting to send them as it is on your doorstop, cheap and will get them out of your hair?? If so YABU, there were kids forced there in DSS' old group and it spoilt the atmosphere as they were unethusiastic, unruly and disobedient.

YANBU in wanting them to do something other than the xbox though. Can they go swimming or bowling or something?

[pointydog]

yabu

They don't like it. Leave 'em be.

[Uriel]

YABU. I hated the idea of Brownies when I was little. Find something they do like.

[AliceMumma]

I think YANBU to make them go a few times, but if they genuinly hate it then maybe try something else. You are not doing them any favours in the long run by letting them sit in front of the xbox. Coul you just take the tv cord away for a couple days a week and make them find something to do!? Or, do something with them, quality time with Mum!!

[Thunderduck]

If they really hate it YABU.

[ForeverOptimistic]

I would get them to stick it out for a term. I am fan a of the scouting movement I loved working towards my badges as a brownie. I would take the X box away for a while then they will be crawling the walls with boredom and will be begging to go!

[hippipotamiHasLost19Pounds]

If you want them off their computers and doing something, find them a club they will enjoy.
Ds has done Beavers and is currently doing Cubs. He is loving every minute of it, especially the camps, numerous activities and they are going for a sleepover on HMS Belfast soon - fantastic opportunity!
Dd did rainbows but did not enjoy it so I let her drop out. She is now on the waiting list of ice-skating. No point in paying out for something she did not enjoy.

[saintmaybe]

Why don't you say they have to join a club or start an activity and ask what they want it to be?
Had a friend who ranted about being forced into this 'paramilitary youth organisation'. Think he had a point. It's not for everyone, and if they hated it...