It’s BAD in the sense that Scouting has largely become (arguably always had been) an MLM run by and for the benefit of a few connected business savvy insiders.
Could be worse: could be Girl Scouts.
Seriously though, if both Girl Scouts and “Scouting America” suck, is there some other alternative (short of not participating in a scouting-like organization at all)?
Plenty. But then tend to be local and they vary in content. Houston has a number of programs run through the Children’s Museum and the various universities (Rice, in particular) for aspiring engineers and nature lovers alike. The YMCA and the JCC both have youth programs for fitness and sports. Soccer is always popular.
Could be worse: could be Girl Scouts.
Seriously though, if both Girl Scouts and “Scouting America” suck, is there some other alternative (short of not participating in a scouting-like organization at all)?
I have no idea if they are any better than the Scouts, but Campfire is the other big national one I’m aware of.
Plenty. But then tend to be local and they vary in content. Houston has a number of programs run through the Children’s Museum and the various universities (Rice, in particular) for aspiring engineers and nature lovers alike. The YMCA and the JCC both have youth programs for fitness and sports. Soccer is always popular.