Leaderboard

I disagree that the way we experienced it is not useful for todays youth. Den-centric can be just as active as the leaders desire, just as pack-centric can be boring inside stuff. A den is much easier to organize a hike, or outdoor activity too. Family attending a campout is much easier as a den too. I also disagree with the current parent sign-off.

Excellent points made by @yknot & @fred8033. YIS - -Craig

I think it's a mistake to look at cubs that way. Some things are just different. Nature centers do a far better job with pre-school level programming than scouts ever can, or should. It's far easier for parents to just plunk down a few dollars and show up for a few sessions with the naturalist. Youth sports is similar. Young kids mostly sample -- they'll play soccer in fall, basketball in winter, T ball in spring -- and cubs is not a sampling program. I don't think we so much as lose kids to other activites, I think some activities are better suited to kids at these younger ages. A lot of pare

I won't disagree that 5.5 has been too long of an expansion; however, the alternative allows youngsters to be captured by alternative programs (Y-guides, AYSO soccer, etc.), which all have programs for small-fry. Without a BSA small-fry program, a youngster's life would already be full with alternatives before a BSA program ever gets a chance at him/her.

Going back to three years would be a huge improvement. Expanding cub scouts to be same size as boy scouts has been a killer for retention, perception, etc, etc, etc. The current 5.5 years way too much.