Anybody have info on alternatives to Boy Scouts?

[unschooler]

I'm especially interested in boys-only organizations.

[mzteris]

1. Spiral Scouts

But I think it's a co-ed thing. . .

http://www.spiralscouts.org/metadot/index.pl


Is there a pressing reason you want it boys only?

[unschooler]

2. Our son wants it boys-only. That's the reason.

Our daughter doesn't want any (eeew! ick!) boys in her Girl Scout troop either, so Spirals aren't quite what we're looking for.

Thanks anyway.

[newblewtoo]

3. DeMolay

It is a branch of the Masons.

http://www.demolay.org/whatis/

[unschooler]

4. Hmmmm... I think I had a third cousin or something who was in that.

I'll have to follow the link and check it out. Thanks!

[tritsofme]

5. If you live in a fairly progressive community

I would bet that the Boy Scout or Cub Scout organizations reflect that pretty well.

I wouldn't rule the Scouts out.

Meet the local parents that are involved and ask them about the issues that concern you.

Boy Scouts is a great program, and it a shame some pig heads at the national level muck things up for parents who just want their children to have a great experience and grow into men.

[unschooler]

6. Can the national BSA interfere w/ the local group?

I know they've been trolling heavily for financial contributions from Scout parents. I've never seen the Girl Scouts do that.

[JVS]

9. except for the whole cookie pushing thing

[Iris]

16. Some girl scouts forced you to buy cookies?

[unschooler]

20. What kind of pinko un-American statement is that? We're going to have

to send you to the Gulag! :spank:

[redwitch]

14. My lesbian friend's son is in the cub scouts

We sit together in our RC church. Scout Sunday I saw her and we laughed about it. She said "Oh yes, We belong to all the best fascist organizations". Pretty funny really. But our community is great for the most part and they have been treated like regular humans, imagine! My friend believes in quietly infiltrating and changing people's thinking by just being a good neighbor and friend. She and her partner are terrific people.
I know some places are not like here though.

[GreenPartyVoter]

17. Yes, my son is doing Scouts and so far so good :^)

[sandnsea]

7. I can't think of anything

Everything is co-ed except Scouts. I can't even think of anything in the business area that doesn't include girls, like martial arts or sports or something. Even boxing includes girls. Maybe my boys never cared because they had brothers. I know my only daughter enjoyed Scouts and the girl time. I can see where alot of boys would want that too. I don't know what to tell you, I would be hesitant about Boy Scouts these days myself.

[JVS]

8. I only know of the Lutheran Pioneers, which was founded because...

the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod considered Boy Scouts to be founded on false religious principles.

The Masons are also forbidden.

Strangely enough, completely secular organizations are not frowned upon, but once religion enters WELS insists that it must be WELS-doctrine or WELS members don't belong in it

[marano35]

10. yeah

[yankeedem]

11. Do you have a YMCA in your area?

Check out Indian Guides (now called Adventure Guides). Depending on the chapter, they may be chopped into gender. Don't be fooled by the "Christian" in YMCA, they don't push religion at all.
http://www.ymca.net/adventure_guides/

[unschooler]

18. Oh, yeah. I remember "Indian Guides."

Have to check that out.

[lonestarnot]

12. ugh freeway blogger sprouts.

www.freewayblogger.com

[lauren_victoria]

13. yes, Adventure Guides

is what my dad and my brother were involved in for a while, but after the participants in that program get oldrer, they get moved up to Trailblazers and go on various campouts and do things together, and not always have to be involved in a lot of group activities. It depends on the age of your son, really.

[newyawker99]

15. Hi lauren_victoria!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[unschooler]

19. Thanks. I will definitely check that one out.