Non-religious alternatives to Beavers etc

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

Am just looin into some possibe future ativities for DS1 (5) and later DS2 (3). I know he cannot start beavers until next year anyway, however it looks great - then I read the bit on the website about prayer and was wondring how much religion is actually involved and whether there are alternative roups out there without this element.

We are Muslim but not particularly practising although Idont think DH would embrace praying at Beavers.

Any info either on Beavers or anything else greatly appreciated.

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 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.

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 :)

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.

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.