Whats up with these kids?

kenimpzoom · Jan 20, 2004

I am a scout leader in my sons pack and man these kids are about to drive me nuts. The dont listen, wont do as they are told, and basically all they want to do is run around like blithering idiots. My son is no different. He normally is pretty good, but acts like them at the meetings. So I ask you, is this normal? When will they grow up and act a little more respectable? I wont do this scout leader again until these kids learn to calm down. Sorry just had to vent. Ken

ZmOz · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

All you need is a good roll of duct tape.

mercrewser · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

Yeah thats what they do. Was on a bus trip once as a leader. I thought the fart sounds would lose there funniness after the first 10 or 15 min. Hour later its still 50 kids fartin there brains out. Almost drove me nuts. Do your guys wrestle? It can be wrestlemania on steroids sometimes. It was 17 yrs ago I was at that age. Just remember more energy than I knew what to do with.

kenimpzoom · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

I cant remember if I was a blithering idiot, but most likely I was. Just wish they would calm down a little bit. Everything becomes a contest, a whine, or nearly fighting. Unfortunately the only men are myself and the other leader. Not enough fathers in the room. Ken

roscoe · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

Ken, you're lucky there aren't any more fathers there, or it could turn into a real mess, like at a little league game. I remember when my dad did the scout leader thing for me. Most of the other kids just ran wild, their parents put them in scouts so they would have a baby sitter. Most of the kids never did anything with their own dad. It didn't take long for dad to get his fill of these felons in the making, and soon it was just family outings on the weekends, not scout outings. I think he actually encouraged me to quit scouting, to get me away from the other kids.

Link · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

I can't relate to this. When I was in the scouts to mess up with the leader was the same as goofing up at home. I must really be getting old

11 footer · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

Maybe years ago boy scouts was good, but its joke now. When your a young scout you learn nothing and its like a babysitting type of thing. Then my 5th grade the kids start to grow up, but by then boy scouts is "gay" and everyone will call you a quear if you take part it in. I've been guilty myself of pokeing jokes at peers who where in it, everyone does. I did it in 1st grade, from what I remember it was just as you discribe. Its a dead end road, turn off it........IMO, I'm sure some will dissagree and thats their right.

Boomyal · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

Sorry you feel that way about the Boy Scouts Ryan. The truth of the matter is that the only thing wrong with Boy Scouts today is the people who are in it. Maybe if the Boy Scout uniform consisted of pants hanging around your ankles, ball caps being worn backwards and meetings that showed videos of Britiney Spears, Boy Scouts would not be the subject of derision. It's a sad day for this country when, young boys allowed by their parents, cannot take advantage of all of the good, wholesome, life building experiences offered by Scouting.

Boomyal · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

kenimpzoom, don't give up, Scouting can be just the thing that these kids need. Discuss your concerns with the Scout Council. They are aware of the way things are today would be helpful in helping you deal with it. You should probably also have a meeting with all of the parents to explain what you hope to accomplish with their boys and that you need their help in making their children understand what behavior is expected of them. Tell them that this program is soley for the benefit of their children and you can't make it happen without some form of support from them. My son, now 16, has benefited immeasurably from his Scouting experience. I watched him grow, in a good way, but we had a fair amount of adult participation in all of the activities. If the majority of parents don't care how their children act then there is nothing much that you can do. do.

Link · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

Still hope for Scouting! Just remembered a article in out radio clubs news letter last year where they asked us for help at a boy scout camp. They (Ham Volunteers) did it in two or three day shifts teaching the basics and setting up on the air demo's. When invited back this summer the only real change is that ALL of the people involved plan on staying the whole week or two. They really enjoyed the kids.

kenimpzoom · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

I dont plan on my son giving up on scouting, but I just dont think I have the patience to be a leader with this age group of kids. Maybe when he is older. The three worst kids, their mother/grandmother constantly tell them to behave, they just cant do it. The parents really do try, I am not blaming them. But their kids are just nuts. Ken

gaugeguy · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

My wife and I have this discussion twice a month, once after the den meeting and once after the pack meeting. My boy is in his first year of scouting (tiger cubs), and I am required to go to all the functions as his "adult partner". The kids are out of control, it is a friggen mad house. I have to talk to my son two or three times to tell him to calm down. Only 2 or 3 other fathers will do the same (there are 18 boys). I think it is more of a bad influence on my son than anything else. It isn't teaching him a darn thing. I've thought about yanking him out of it, but he loves it because he can hang with his friends, so I am in the process of writing a letter to the scout council. Me becoming a den leader is not an option. I do not have the patience to deal with these little terrorists. At least with my child I can ground him or tan his hide if he acts up. Scouting is not the same as it was when I was in it, and a lot of it has to do with parents not teaching their kids respect and how to act like a human effin being

oddjob · Jan 21, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

I can certainly relate to this...parents these days just let there kids go wild. Most of the parents dont know how to camp, cook or cook outdoors. Cold breakfast took 2 hrs....every meal took this long..Its alot easier to take my family myself even if I have to do everything. I did meet a few nice people and the troop made alot of trips mainly to KOA's But I soon dreaded each trip.

boatingfool · Jan 21, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

I think a lot of the problems with todays kids is the parents. They dont enforce standards of behavior. Their kids are not allowed to burn down the house or smash the windows out of the neighbors cars but short of that the kids are free to do what they want. My kids get one warning on poor/disrespectful behavior and they now that. They can tell by the tone of dads voice that I am serious as a heart attatck when I tell them to "knock it off". I let my kids spend the night at their friends house & when they come home its like I have to reprogram them. Then when their kids come over my house I can see why. The parents will come over & tell their kids its time to go & the kids will look right in their face and tell them no and walk away!! I had one lady come over to get her kid on her way to work. Her daughter was in our pool and when her mother told her to get out the kid started squirting her in the face and her clothes with a water gun. The mom just told her to knock it off and get out of the pool. But she kept doing it. Finaly I had to step in & tell her to get out of the pool NOW. And the list goes on and on.... My kids know they could NEVER EVER get away with stuff like that and they know it. I'm sorry but parents need to take better control of their kids. Maybe I'm old fasion(sp?) but some of these parents I see makes me wonder what in the he11 they are thinking. O.K. I'm done now. Thanks for listening.

oddjob · Jan 21, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

Boatingfool funny I do the same thing at my house when my kids friends pull that.

Maybe I'm old fasion(sp?) but some of these parents I see makes me wonder what in the he11 they are thinking.

No your not old fashioned..your in charge..thanks.

boatingfool · Jan 21, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

Ahh, Fashion. I knew it started with an F though!!

It makes me feel uncomfortable to have to step in when the parents wont take charge of their kids but when they are at my house and the parents wont do it, I will.

tylerin · Jan 21, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

I've been involved in youth sports for years. I don't know if this is right or wrong but I make all the kids accountable for their actions. One kid messes up they all are punished, running laps etc. I can hear them yelling at each other as they run laps. They are a team, group, pack or whatever you call it, they share the good moments together and by golley they'll share the bad together. Peer pressure has always worked for me, and I use it to my advantage. I rarely isolate my frustration on one kid. Remember its us parents that have taken the discipline out of our neighbors hand. I got as many cracks from my buddies mom as I did my own parents. Things have changed

neumanns · Jan 21, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

Those of you who endure fighting the good fight in spite of the lack of comarades keep it up. It will make a difference down the road. You are the ones they will get there values from. They will eventually get it and it will show. Anyone I entrust my kids to I instruct them to beat (I mean treat) them like they own them...If I feel they won't I wouldn't leave my kids with them. My kids are not in any group activities where I feel they will not get a continuation of what I try to instill in them at home. If they are allowed free reign my kids will not be there. If I am in charge of other kids it does not take them long to figure out that if they do not listen to me they are gonna have no fun at all. Kids will be kids, but there are limits. I realize there are also limits on you as a scout leader. Tell there parents what is expected of there children and enforce it. You are there to make men of them...not as a convience to there parents. I hope I havent offended anyone here and I hope you can draw strength from this. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!

Boomyal · Jan 21, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

Originally posted by oddjob: Most of the parents dont know how to camp, cook or cook outdoors. Cold breakfast took 2 hrs....every meal took this long..

How true it is oddjob. It kind of feels like you are trying to stop water running through a seive but what a good feeling when after time you see those boys preparing their food, setting up camp, packing their things like a well oiled machine. It will happen but it is true they need patience and guidance and not every person is suited to give it. I just hope, where there are willing boys, there will be willing adults. The fact that their parents don't have a clue about these things makes it all the more important that the boys have this experience. I did not have the talent or patience to keep the activities moving in the right direction but I was always at the activities, as a supportive adult, and did my part to keep my son in line as well as others. They got thru it and became effective young campers. It's so important, for our youth today, that someone take up the yoke. Boy Scouts is one of the last bastions of traditional ethics and morality that our youth have today, not to mention all of the practical skills that many parents cannot provide.

mellowyellow · Jan 21, 2004

Re: Whats up with these kids?

MY dad was a scout leader and I was an eagle scout. scouting gave me my love for the outdoors. of course NO ONE ever thought of not listening back then. as for the kids being asked about here, I would do the following: send a letter to all the parents explaining the importance of proper behavior during scout meetings and tell them if a child is not following the rules, the parents will be called to pick up their kids early. I would have the troop itself help compose the letter and explain the importance of their behavior during a meeting. the letter would also explain exactly what the kids want to learn from scouting. all kids sign as co-authors. perhaps the scout oath should be part? make the parents sign and return to you. hope this helps in some small way, and thanks for helping keep the scouts great

Whats up with these kids?

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