My child is asking to join the scouts and I’m in two minds.

Both DC went to scouts. It was such a well run activity. They did stuff there which they would never have gotten to do in an other group such as midnight hikes, map reading and orienteering which they still talk about now. From a safeguarding perspective I would always go and have a look and make sure you feel comfortable. However, good communication with children and a clear knowledge of what is acceptable is really important. I would not hold off sending my child to Scouts.

Scouts is so much better than Brownies and Guiding. There were women volunteers at ours and I’m sure I read on the other thread that safeguarding in guiding isn’t as good or up to date as scouts.

I am a cubs leader. The safeguarding rules have changed a lot over the years for the better.

I volunteered with all my kids for beavers/scouts. It is so much fun. The kids are really happy and very funny. My daughter adores it. My older DC’s closest friends came from scouts, and they are on balance, great people.

Cub camp is a riot. Exhausting, but fantastic.

I have no particular scout skills. I can’t tie a complicated knot, I get muddled with OS maps at 6 numbers, and my tents are always saggy. I bring a mum vibe. My
mum was my Brownie leader and I loved that time, so I do the same for my kids.

Volunteer. They will never say no. Scouts is brilliant. My pack does not fuss about regimental stuff or tidy neckers.

We used to live jolly rurally and we did used to have enough room for the odd extra kid to join us so I wouldn't be certain on that. There were quite a number of groups and the primary schools only had e.g. 70 children in the whole school, so I do think it depends what area you're in.

I am so glad that my parents sent me to scouts. So many life-changing experiences whilst I was growing up, mainly on camps. I think teaching your child about grooming is far preferable to never letting them have experiences away from you. My DD1 is in the scouts now and her confidence has soared because of it.

I don't think Scouts is for your child.

Most good scout groups are heavily over subscribed. Unless you have already signed up it's probably too late to get a space anyway unless you offer to volunteer anyway. I can't see you doing this given how you feel. A group that has spaces at scout levy with no waiting list, is unlikely to be a great group tbh. If you won't allow your child to enjoy it in full let another child take the space and find an alternative activity.

Besides this unless you trust the leaders and the modern safeguarding protocols it won't work for your child and there's no point. You have to allow the leaders to make risk assessments and decisions whilst caring for your child. Scouts is about allowing children to take risks in a safe environment but this relies on parental trust to a certain degree. If you don't trust the adults involved you really shouldn't be letting them take the kids climbing or on a hike or whatever anyway.

Scouting is not the same as it was. If you don't appreciate this and aren't prepared to investigate how it's changed and the measures that are in place for everything then I don't know why you would even consider it.

The leaders have to safeguard themselves as much as the children now from all kinds of potential accusations.

This. Why not join Girl Guiding instead?

Perhaps the bigger risk here is that you let your previous family experience prevent you from giving your child opportunities.

There’s no more abuse in scouts than there would be in any extra curricular activity or even school

Is there a local Girl Guiding unit? That might be worth looking into

Shame you feel like this. My child had the best time over several years- did the camps, learnt to sail, met lots of children from different schools, did most of Dof E through Explorers. Had support when life was extremely tough for her
Think i never felt what you are feeling, it was a totally great place and I was extremely grateful for all the volunteers that gave up their free time to look after others children. A totally positive time

Are you sure she'll get a place anyway. Lots of groups are over subscribed with a long waiting list.

I don't blame you, I feel the same about Scouts in particular, having been witness as a child myself to abuse in more than one of these settings as well as at school - but that is another thread altogether. Others will brush this off as paranoid but I don't care.

Perhaps can you look for other similar clubs where you could stay for the session? I don't believe scouts and cubs allow this.

Is there a guides group she could join?

My twins joined as cubs and it’s has been absolutely the best thing they have done.

My girl has just had to leave explorers now she is 18, has been a young leader in her old cub group for 3 years and has now progressed to be a leader. The safeguarding rules are so very strict - and if you have any concerns you can become involved and be a parent helper to set your mind at ease.

I would say my kids have gained so many skills and gained so much confidence through their time within the whole scouting organisation - my daughter has over 50 nights away from home from ages 10-18, has learned so much, had so much fun, been to so many places, can pitch any tent, talk to any adult or child, has so much common sense, great sense of humour and ability to thrive is testing situations, can handle anything or anyone and has a brilliant down to earth can do attitude - I just really can’t speak highly enough about it. It dosent cost much and still relays on people donating their time to make the magic happen. And there is nothing quite like seeing parents dropping their precious ones off in a field on a Friday night for weekend camp - and running away to their cars, laughing together ready for their free weekend . When it’s an all group camp - beavers, cubs, scouts, explorers - then some families can get rid of 3 or 4 ! But it is really strict - run with the help of many parent helpers and most of the leaders are parents too - they do a fantastic job.
they have 4 female and 1 male leaders - and countless parents.

Scouts are always very welcoming of parent helpers, especially at camps. I volunteered as a helper at Beavers once a fortnight. I ended up cooking Xmas dinner in a hall with only 1 little cooker for about 60 Scouts, Cubs and Beavers. After Scouts there is Venture Scouts where they do more things. The group my DS belonged to did a learning to sail course, pistol shooting at targets, archery, army type adult course, D of E, as well as the camps and jamborees. It's a great opportunity for your DC to make new friends away from school. My adult DS still goes out once every month with his old Venture Scout mates, a couple of these friends joined Beavers with my DS and they went all the way through together.

Mine was sexually assaulted by another child at a camp and the response was terrible. However it is and remains, one of the most popular clubs in the village we live in. Just be super cautious and also volunteer to supervise frequently so you can get a sense of what really goes on.

This. Scouts are crying out for helpers.

Ask if you can volunteer at the camps

Do you think she would be capable of telling you if anything felt wrong?

If she has seen your reluctance to send her, she is more unlikely to let on if problems do arise. She'll be worried you'll pull her out, so will keep quiet. Unfortunately, I have seen that scenario play out a few times-- kids not telling about bullying in particular because they know their parent will take them out

There must be more than one leader. Scouts have policies that at no time should a leader be in a 1 to 1 situation with a child.

My son has done scouts for five years now, no issues whatsoever. He's done many sleeps away camps. Absolutely loves it.

If you have issues, volunteer.