Should My 11-Year-Old Quit Scouts BSA Due to Late Meetings?

It's a common concern when your child's extracurricular activities extend beyond the typical school day. Scouts BSA, a renowned program for today's youth, often holds meetings once a week. But what if these meetings run late, causing your child to get home after 9:00 on school days? Should you make your child quit Scouts BSA?

Understanding the Issue

One of the key factors to consider is whether the late meetings are impacting your child's sleep. If getting home after 9:00 PM means your child is not getting enough rest, it's important to address the issue immediately. Sleep is crucial for growth and development, and sleep deprivation can have significant negative impacts on both physical and mental health.

Benefits of Scout BSA

Scout meetings offer more than just late nights. They provide essential life skills and leadership training for young people. Unlike modern-day activities that may be heavily influenced by the use of cell phones, Scouts BSA modules promote traditional values that are still relevant today.

Previous Experience

Two of my sons achieved the rank of Eagle, a testament to the valuable skills and experiences Scouts BSA offers. I encourage all parents who are unfamiliar with Scouting to at least attend the First Class session. The skills learned here can have a lifetime of positive impacts on your child.

Considering the Frequency and Duration

Once a week, Scout meeting times pose no problem. However, daily meetings are highly unlikely. Late meetings on the week when activities do take place should be a cause for concern, but they are not an insurmountable issue. Here are some factors to consider:

Meeting Duration and Timing

Why does your child get home so late? Are the troop meetings running late or do they start later in the evening? Does she stay after the meeting to help clean up? It's essential to speak with the Scoutmaster (SM) and committee chair to address any concerns about late meetings. If the meetings always run late, the SM needs to talk to the senior patrol leader about speeding up the meetings or speak to the troop committee about starting meetings earlier. You're not alone in this concern. Other parents have had similar concerns.

Short Answer: No, It Would Be Unwise

No, it would be very unwise to remove your child from Scouts BSA due to the one latenight. The benefits of the program far outweigh the minor inconvenience of late nights. Every troop I've heard of has regular meetings no more often than once a week. Saying she gets home "after 9:00 on school days" seems like an overstatement. This might make the experience even more special for her, as it means a break from the regular routine.

Think about what your daughter is gaining from the program. Why did she join, and what does she hope to achieve? Scouting, with its 8 methods of achieving moral and ethical growth, is one of the best youth development programs out there. Uniforms bring a sense of community and achievements, outdoor activities teach valuable life skills, and rank advancements foster responsibility, leadership, and citizenship.

Conclusion

Taking a child out of a premiere youth development program because of a relatively minor issue like late nights would be shortsighted. In the long run, the benefits of Scouts BSA far outweigh the temporary inconvenience. It's a valuable investment in your child's future, providing them with lifelong skills and experiences.