My eight year old son would love to be part of an outdoor adventure group like boy scouts, but I just can't support his being part of their organization. Does anyone know of an alternative that is outdoor,skills-building and focused on environmental stewardship?
Thanks.
My son (age 7) is in a Campfire USA group. It seems a really good program, with lots of "outdoor skills" opportunities, and he's really enjoyed the camping he done. His "club" is all boys, homeschooled, ages 7-10) This is unusual in Portland, though, as most clubs are both boys and girls, and more close in age.
Trackers NW in SE Portland has an awesome program... you can check them out on line at http://www.trackersnw.com/portland-wilderness-skills.php
Both of my children have LOVED it!
I have heard great things about Roots and Shoots, but I am not sure if they do as much outdoors skills-building as Boy Scouts. That said, sometimes hooking up with similarly minded people leads to other things. Here is the website:
P.,
I probably missed something, but why do you not want your son to be apart of Boy Scouts?
Check out Earth Scouts. We are not personally involved now, but I did check them out ahile ago. There is a Portland chapter. Very neat group, progressive, non-military and totally inclusive of all families. My son just turned 8, and I think we will consider joining soon. Let me know if you have trouble finding a link for them, I think I still have one
Laurie
Although I do support the good things that Boy Scouts brings to its participants and the community, I applaud you for choosing an alternative to an organization that excludes people. My daughter belongs to Campfire USA and it is coed, which I love. They do not exclude any persons regardless of lifestyle choice or religious background. They are very geared toward community service and teaching children to give of themselves while learning to lift themselves up. I am very happy with our choice to join. Good luck in your search.
Not sure how old he is, but for grades 4-8 (and even higher) there is a group called Pathfinders. They are sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and do have a religious focus, but they also do a lot of things with nature and other skills. I got honors in sign language, candlemaking, and knot tying, for example. My brother went snow camping once. It's mixed, not just for boys. If you need help finding a local club, just message me.
I don't know how you feel about religious organizations, but my brother used to be really involved with Royal Rangers. They did a lot of neat outdoor training and camp-outs and things. They're usually affiliated with Assemblies of God churches, but I've heard that sometimes other denominations have them, also.
Yes mom if you have a parks and recreation in your communiity they have all sorts of activities to do and field trips to go on, have fun with him he will grow up fast,
S. Vancouver Washington
Our children joined a 4H group when they were around that age. They enjoyed it a lot.
I can think of any other group besides that.
I grew up enjoying the cub scouts and have been deeply saddened by their current discriminatory practices. Steven Spielberg also has and thus resigned as an advisory board member. I was looking forward to my two boys becoming scouts, Campfire USA sounds like an option, I am also and you may also consider creating your own scouting program in your area. All it takes is a will to do so.
