Non-religious alternatives to Beavers etc

The only god aspects to our Beavers is a mention in the promise (and that would only bother atheists) and an annual st Georges Day parade wiith a church service which is not compulsory. Most colonies in our area meet at scout huts rather than church halls. I know several families of Muslim/Hindu origin at ours.

our beavers is multi-faith, I think they all are. there is a faith based badge for which they have to do something in their own religion if they have one.

You could get in touch with the local scout district and ask if there are any groups that would be more suitable than others...

not all groups are affiliated to a particular church and I could be wrong but I think I have heard mention of some groups that are predominantly muslim and so the faith aspects of their programme are related to their faith rather than christian or multi faith...

alternatively, you could consider getting involved yourself too, either at an existing group, or by setting up a new one if there is a need in your area - especially if there are other muslim parents who you could get to join you? This is a big undertaking as you would need to have a cub/scout section to link to (again either existing or new)

You can send an enquiry here....
members.scouts.org.uk/join/join_parent.php

Scouting is for everyone, including parents! but be warned it can take over all your free time :)

The Scouting and Guiding movements are inherently faith-based, and grew from Christianity. One demonstration of this is their tolerance and neighbourliness in welcoming all who wish to join. It is not a proselytising organisation for any individual religion.

If however, making any form of faith-based Promise, or declaring allegiance to the monarch, is not for you then you would be better off with a different organisation.

I have more problem with 'serving the Queen', but DS just parrots it all and enjoys the activities. There's a lot to be said for joining in but learning to make your on internal decisions - our children won't learn this if we carefully control the environment they are in, and spearate them from each other, within the little groups deemed idealogically pure by thier parents.

Children can do what I do when I go to church and other ceremonies that involve other people's religions: remain silent during the prayying bits, not particpate in the rituals (getting 'blessed', etc).

The Brownies Promise is:

I promise that I will do my best
To love my God,
To serve the Queen and my country,
To help other people
And
To keep the Brownie Guide Law

As it refers to "My God" it is inclusive for people of Christian and non-Christian faiths, but not so good for atheists.

My children adore Woodcraft Folk. I guess we don't have a problem with hippy communism .

They do talk about changing the name to something a bit less dated, our children voted on that last year (it's all consensual, even the youngest members have a Voice), but the kids voted for keeping the name.

Our beavers is quite christian I think if you're not used to it - I was surprised just how much there was. And it is a multicultural group (though less so than the local school which I suppose you can draw your own conclusions from).

Ds is encouraged to go to parade twice a term.

Stuffing - if you lived anywhere near me (which I assume you don't as we are a long way from any transport museums!) I would suggest we start our own club with full on competitiveness and not a hint of ANY religion! I am looking into Rainbows/Brownies but we have enough of God via our local primary....

I just went and looked up the Woodcraft folk and nearly spat my tea out. So DS is going to have a choice between right-wing imperialisting Christianity or hippy communism.
Pah! I think we will stick to afterschool club and the London Transport museum.

My children have been to Beavers, and only one asked about God and why he should love God. I said 'I am God' and that was the end of that .

The religious bit really isn't important. They won't be converted, and they don't have to attend church functions if they don't want to. They're only there for the fun and games, and conveniently forget the important life lesson bits.

I have been wondering about this as DS has just started expressing an interest because his friend up the road goes to Beavers. It's my understanding that they don't peddle the superstition too much these days in multicultural areas, but I will have to check what the local group's ethos is.

Actually have read a bit more and not sure I like the idea of children sharing chairs in musical chairs - all sounds a bit too woolly for me!

Why oh why can't Woodcraft Folk change their name???? They sound like something from the 1950's involving skipping around the garden or something....but when I look on the website it looks really funky and up to date!

Even going to church parade seems a lot less than in my day. For Beavers it was 2 a year (once for each associated church, C of E and URC), for Guides its about 1 a term, similar for Brownies. We usually miss it as DD sings at the Cathedral.

Just don't make a mistake and go for Boys Brigade.

Wow, I clicked on SE region and didn't even see London was separate. Maybe I didn't get enough sleep last night!

Thanks Paisley, will definitely look into those.

Would be tempted to help out, but don't know if I could commit to setting up a new group from scratch just at the moment (just upped my hours at work).

none of these near you madrush?

Woodcraft Folk are good

St John's Ambulance do a group called Badgers

woodcraft folk is really good fun. hate to say it but have you considered training as a woodcraft folk leader and setting up a group??

Our Beavers/Cubs/Scouts are not at all religious. They meet in the Tennants Association Hall. Never any church parade. They obviously say the promise, but that's as far as it goes.

I'd like a guides/scouts alternative too, without religion. No woodcraft folk near us (SE London) and they look great. Anyone know anything else that's similar?

Most Beavers packs are based at a local church and participate in church parade, but the children don't have to go if they don't want to. I wouldn't think you would have a problem with most modern-day Beavers.

Unlike when I was a brownie/guide in the 1970's and church parade was pretty much a three-line whip affair.

Do you have Woodcraft Folk near you?