Do any of your kids do scouts?

[WhyamInotvomiting]

Just wondering and if so do they go to a Muslim scout group and how do they find it either way? We've got one not that far away so I've sent them an enquiry for my 6 r yr old DD. Neither me nor DH ever did scouts though so don't know that much about it.

We have some closer scouting groups but they're all ran in conjunction with various churches. Which is fine, but the Muslim one would be my first choice if possible. I also read on the Scout Association website that they don't have a policy of single sex accommodation for residential trips which has made me wary - I figure I can't see a Muslim scouting group not providing single sex accommodation!

I'm not a Muslim MNer but I do know a bit about Scouts if that helps.

Generally, most Scout groups that meet at Church Halls are using the Church halls because they are either the best, or the only provision in the area, and not because they are affiliated to the Church. Some of the Churches will invite the Scout Group to church Parade 3 or 4 times a year, but there is no obligation for any child (or adult) to go.

In our City the Muslim Scout Groups are thriving.
By the time they get to Scout age (10) they have single sex troops - so, within the same group, there is a girls' troop and a boys' troop. The groups we have in our City are all affiliated to mosques.

In practice, you will find the girls' and boys are in separate accommodation for sleeping across Scouting.

The Muslim Scout Fellowship is really active and provide such fantastic opportunities for children and young people, as do Scouts generally.

My sons are in Cubs. Mixed sex sleeping is only allowed with parental permission. I specify single sex for camp as DS1 is a snuggler. If he curls up against a boy fine but if a girl could get misconstrued. (He is young has no concept of sex but that doesn't mean a 10year old girl won't feel uncomfortable)
The unit is sponsored and linked to a church but they have multiple promises for all faiths and none.
If you have girls have you considered Guides as they are single sex. The website says accept trans identifying males but in reality no Guide leader would allow mixed sex sleeping whatever HQ says.

Thanks both, really helpful.

I had sort of ruled out girl guiding tbh because of the issue re the potential for mixed sex accommodation. I've loosely followed that furore thanks to MN and it's really put me off. Also, separately, DC2 is a boy, so thinking ahead that it would perhaps be better/easier with scouting as they could both belong to the same troop in future, if they both like it.

Hi, I help with scouts and although don't know much about Muslim scout groups as we don't have one in our area. All our local groups meet in scout huts and attend different churches for occasions like St George's day ect but they are not compulsory and not all scouts attend.

As for sleeping arrangements on residentials, we only ever camp and there is never any mixing of sex's. Boys and Girls get separate tents, there is never any mixing allowed.

Sadly no the guide leaders have to accommodate the boys no questions asked. And not allowed to tell the girls parents that this is happening. Total safeguarding fail. Scouts is much more sensible.

We've got a group near us where the leaders and volunteers are practising Muslims, and they have reasonable safeguarding, boundaries, etc. Our DC is a bit young, still, but definitely on our list of things to try in a few years, iA.

I would say go visit the group, ask to be a parent helper or do the 4 week challenge. Scouts can be absolutely amazing and there are so many more groups starting up due to the MSF mentioned above. Well worth it. We also have group visits with other groups and its been fantastic mixing with so many different groups/people from all over the UK and world Muslim and non Muslim. I feel I as a leader/parent have learned a great deal have also seen the children mine and others change become more confident and had fantastic responses from parents. As a volunteer though it can get really difficult when parents don't help out or when we don't have enough leaders.