Beavers/cubs/scouts - all a bit God-fearing?

[willow2]

DH has always thought that DS would like beavers, so he put his name down for the local group. One of DS' friends starts next week and it looks like DS can go too. I've obviously blacked out my short experience as a Brownie, but I'm only just beginning to realise the God connection.

Their web-site states: The principles of the Beaver Scout programme are making friends, sharing, making progress, keeping the promise and having fun. The methods used are making things, meeting new people, singing and making music, listening to stories, praying and worshipping (my highlighting, not theirs!), trying new things, chatting, using the outdoors, following themes, acting and mining, going on visits and playing games.

Don't mind a bit of religion, but not sure if might be getting bit more than bargained for. What are other people's experience?

I don't really know what goes on these days but I should think it depends on the group you go to. If your beaver group is attached to a church as a lot of them are then obviously it might be a bit holy but if it's not then I should think it's probably a cursory nod to the prayer bit

my boys go to a church cubs and all they do is pray at the end of the meeting to keep them safe etc etc
they also went to beavers
at cubs now they go camping which they are doing on the 16th of this month (yeh a whole day to me and dh)
also their promise is to god and the queen

I'm not exactly a fan of superstition, but these things are pretty harmless. It's good for a kid to be a member of multiple social groups, not least because when kids fall out, it's nice to have a spare set of friends.

My view is that if some fool talking of their invisible friend can undo ny years of parenting then I'm a failure as a parent.

Essentially no religion in my DSs' cubs and scouts, except for remembrance day church service, which we never go to
very multifaith group so it would be a bit inappropriate

Brownie/cub etc packs are almost invariably linked to their local church and attend church parade every month; but how much god impinges on regular activities depends on the degree of faith of the organiser IME.

So FWIW my kids weren't affected at all by the god-bothering parts DS2 got to carry the pack flag at St George's Day parade once, we were much more impressed than he was!

DC - top post. TBH, think kids like a little bit of religion, just don't want burning fires of damnation or similar

Hi it is such a tiny part of scoutin my kids have done so much that they wouldn't have had the opportunity to do including sleepovers on hms belfast, camping, climbing, abseiling, meeting loads of differnt people, massive fun days, camping with 4000 other people 1st weekend in january! (rather them than me!)

Hi it is such a tiny part of scoutin my kids have done so much that they wouldn't have had the opportunity to do including sleepovers on hms belfast, camping, climbing, abseiling, meeting loads of differnt people, massive fun days, camping with 4000 other people 1st weekend in january! (rather them than me!)

Ds does Beavers willow, and their religious observance is confined to a very simple prayer at the end of the meeting apparently. His company don't even do Church Parade - as ursula says that varies according to the beliefs of the leader. You might want to discreetly check whether your Keema is a practising Christian, or other faith, before deciding. Ours is a non-churchgoer - but the Rainbows is run by a very ardent Christian and operates a three-line Church Parade whip.
Ds loves Beavers btw.

same as the rest at ours, just a prayer at the end of the night and the odd service like st georges day. we cant celebrate halloween cos its too pagan, but we might be having a 'black night' instead, involving most of the things you would associate with halloween! not sure what the difference is really but officially we cant do it. another thought was a harry potter theme night so its not very strict.

btw if you get him in that quick you are very lucky, we have a huge waiting list, as do all the other beaver colonies in our area. i would take the place now as you may not get the opportunity again soon. if he doesnt like it he doesnt have to keep going

Thank you. Well, it appears he does have a place (to clarify, we did put his name down a long time ago, before we even realised one of his school friends would be going!) He starts a week Monday - will let you know what he thinks. He won't be phased by prayers or such - they "do" a bit at school. Think he quite likes it as he was dead keen to see inside churches on recent hols to Greece. (We found the tiniest one built into the side of a cliff, overlooking the local beach. Thick, white stone walls, a confessional, a chair or two and a few stunning icons. It was so dinky that I wanted to move in.)

Actually, it was so dinky that I have found a picture of it. Go to here Scroll down until you see a block of nine pictures - there are two pics of it top right and middle right. Apparently it is the oldest church on the island. Quite beautiful.

The beaver promise includes "to love God" so obviously it's in there. But DS1 doesn't do loads of god-related activites (it wouldn't be a problem for us anyway actually) at Beavers as such. It's more having fun and playing games, craft etc.

Agree tho that those that are linked to a church go to services etc. DS1 just did the ST george's Day parade through town and big service at the cathedral. Quite fun really.

think you have to go along iwht hte religion to a dwegree
one ds1 went to was closeryl affliated btu the one ds is going ot isnt
its not he endof the world to go to a parade service once or twice
its like a longer assembley tbh

Yes, the "love god" bit does present a tricky issue.
At what stage is it appropriate to teach a child about appropriate lies ?
I went to a Christian junior school, and in my class of 40, I'd bet good money not one "loved" Jesus.

But that's not lying. DS1 & 2 hate The Hood from Thunderbiuds in much the same way as a superstitious person hates the devil or nuclear power.

Kids learn that there's certain things you have to say or big violent poeple will hurt you., or take away things you want.
It is a hard question. It's all very well saying that followers of invisible friends are just people who failed to cope with their sexuality and use force instead of logic, but when the mad people are bigger than you, it's not fair to expect a 5 yo to fight your battles.

LOL can't help imagining 'The Lord' Baden-Powell spinning in his grave at this thread

Never mind that, how dinky is that church? Made me want to get religion, honest.

I am pretty much of the opinion that it is learning about a religion iyswim - not necessarily following it. I'm pagan, DH is ex-catholic, and the children are celebrating sabbats and Christian festivals (any excuse for a party )

I plan on DD starting rainbows when she is old enough, and anything she learns about Christianity will be good in helping her make her own decisions.

I have been a leader in Girl Guiding for the last 13 years. I guess the scout association is different but this is where we stand.....

In our promise we state that we will 'Love my God' ir the God pertaining to us, whether it be Allah, Krishna, Mother Nature or the chair in the corner.

We do not do church parade every month, infact the only time we go to church is remembrance day.

Most people seem to think we are attached to church's because we meet in church halls. The only reason a lot of units meet in church halls is because they are the only halls that will let us have cupboards to keep the vast amount of stuff we need to run a unit.

If your child has a chance to go to Brownies or cubs, please let them, I have seen so many girls flourish and grow and learn new things as a result of what I do as a volunteer.

If you get the chance to help out, go for it. It really is rewarding. I am taking a group of 19 guides away in November and I can't wait.

Now I have finished plugging Guiding, I will go

My mum was Tawny (and still has grown women calling her it!) - I already have her friends rubbing their hands with glee asking when DD will be old enough to start because they know I'll be sucked in

Tell me about it! I was in town the other day and this 22 yr old woman came up to me pushing a pushchair and said 'Hi Tawny Owl'. Last time I saw her she was 10!!!

I felt about 700 years old

When I was little i was desperate to join Brownies. Went one week and had some fun but near the end was given of the copy of the pledge that I would have to say and write out the following week. I can't remember the wording exactly but it was something along the lines of "love God" as others have mentioned. I went home that night and told my parents that I wouldn't go back. Why on earth not they asked? Well because at the age of 8 I was already a die hard atheist who didn't believe in God and so wouldn't be able to say the pledge.

We are not at all religious. My boys both go to beavers, have done for the past year, the eldest is about to start cubs. They both absolutely love it. It's not really about religion, it's about team work and respect. They do really fun, old fsashioned types of things, go out and about, make things and play traditional games. I think it's a great thing to do and so different in our super fast computer filled day and age.