There is no doubt that parents value what scouting does for their children. In an independent survey of over 2,000 parents of scouts, 9 out of 10 parents said scouting is worthwhile (7 in 10 very worthwhile) and 9 in 10 said their children find scouting enjoyable (6 in 10 very enjoyable).
Parents say scouting gives their children more confidence, responsibility, a broader set of friends, a chance to pursue things they might not get to do otherwise, adventure and an extended family.
‘They have fun and learn discipline too. It’s a good combination.’
‘It’s not just factual; they learn social skills and about interacting. They have to remember things to bring the following week sothey have to take a bit of responsibility for their own stuff!’
Many parents feel that their child attending scouts gives them another reason to be proud of their achivements. One parent said:
‘I don’t normally let Thomas carry dinner plates through – he can be clumsy…but when he cooked me a meal from scratch, I was so proud.’
Another said: ‘I think I probably wouldn’t let Ella do as much as she does, but when I see her at cubs, doing things for herself and her friends, I’m so impressed. It helps you step back and let them get on with it. ’
Other comments include:
‘Scouting helps parents prepare their kids for life’ and ‘it helps parents let go of their children.’ Gains to children were seen to be both immediate and long-term and all agreed that scouting had made family life easier and they were ‘nicer children to live with.’
