Cub Scouts | ADHD Information

My child did Cub Scouts last year, and there were good things and bad things about it in terms of ADHD. The good was that he was part of a group, and it was a group of kids he could hang out with. For kids who don't have many friends, this is great. The bad thing was that most activities were in the evenings. His stimulant had worn off before the end of a lot of den and pack activities, and he started having no ability to focus and doing some impulsive behaviors that are less than desirable. For this reason, I was ambivalent whether to do scouts again this year. I gave ds a choice of one extra sport or cub scouts, and he picked the extra sport. I think this'll be better for him because he'll still have meds in his system. He'll still be part of a group there, but it won't be the same social opportunities as a cub scout den. Still, in the long run, I think this is best for my child. I should add I didn't want to do an evening booster dose just to get him through cub scouts. It was a personal decision, and a tough one, but I opted that scouts wasn't worth giving my child even more meds since it would mean he wouldn't eat anything that day besides breakfast (he eats a ton at night after his long-acting stimulant wears off), and he also probably would get used to the dose sooner by taking extra with a booster dose (he's had a history of getting used to doses and needing a higher amount).For night related issues I don't see him having a problem. He is only on 1/2 mg of tenex in am and I see no real change in him after school or evening. If my son is ADHD he is really mild case. I have mentioned this before but I am dealing with a child adopted from foster care and figuring out which issue is related to adoption, 7 year old boy or/and ADHD.
When we were at the registration meeting 7:00pm - I saw 80% of the boys running around being boys. I asked my son to sit with me and he did but when he wanted to play he could but he restrained himself. There was probably 100 people there and I so no over stimulated related issues. So I am thinking the rest of the year will be easier since it will be a den thing.

I am going to give it a shot - first meeting is in 3 weeks. I will keep you all informed.
I wonder if he joined and you or his dad could help in the meetings, my son played soccer teh last 3 years and i was the team mom so this way i had more control over the teach then just sitting on the side lines...it seemed to make it easier for them

Yes, my son has "moderate" ADHD. He's on meds, but they're long since worn off by the time they have meetings.

We have never dropped him off at a scout event, one of us is always with him to look for and head off any problems that might arise. As a result of that he's never had any real trouble. In fact parents are encouraged to stay- its hard for the leaders to teach a group of kids a new skill in a hands on fashion when the ratio is more than 2:1. Usually most of the parents stay. The meetings are only for 1- 1.5 hours, so it doesn't really give you much time to go anywhere before you have to go back for them anyway.

[QUOTE=newmom]Jaderock - is your son ADHD? Were there any issues in the beginning with his behavior and if so, how did you handle it and how did it improve.

Thanks for your response - I think this could be really good for him and what you describe sounds ideal...

Yes, both my husband and I will be involved.
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I think Jaderock is right. Things work out that way here where we live also,All the boys are included and there are many packs and dens to chose from. Hope it all works out

My opinion on scouts...

Yes it can be good cause if you look around a large group of boys, you'd think they all have adhd!

But it can be hard cause there is a lot of down, unstructured time which is difficult for some kids.

By the time they are in boyscouts it's the same thing. Also, in boy scouts the troop is more 'boy" run and sometimes a kids that is out socially can be bullied a bit. Also its a catch 22 because the leader may not feel they are responsible enough for a leadership role, or have earned a leadership role since they are not the best behaved kids, yet not giving them a leadership role kind of brings out the worst in them cause after a while they get tired of being told what to do.

I know my son rises to the occasion when given "mission and purpose"...otherwise he just doesn't know what to do with himself.

I was a cub scout in the 60s! But I remember it well.... Our Den mother was great and I remember our little group had a lot of fun. Then came the dreaded Pack Meetings! Run by militaristic minded men... all full of themselves and regimentation. Pack Meetings were no fun. ADHD wasn't an issue back then... I was just the kid whose life was punctuated by the excitment of forgetting things. Like wearing regulation socks along with my uniform to the dreaded Pack Meeting!

At the Pack Meeting, we all had to line up by Den, standing at attention, staring straight ahead. The dreaded Pack Leaders struted slowly in front of us, inspecting us. Because of my transgression (they actually checked our socks!), my den lost points (or something) and soon after I realized (as did my wise mother) that this particular organization's priorities and mine did not mesh well and I did not move on the Boy Scouts.

So my advice: if the leaders at the top are creepy about rules and regimentation, see what other alternatives are out there. Life is full of enough stress!

John D39354.6201851852

[QUOTE=newmom]Texannie:

Yes, he knows lot of the boys and I think it would hurt him to go in group where they are younger. Also, my son isn't that immature for his age so I would rather have him spend time with kids his age or older who could keep him maturing properly. I don't think I understand putting him with younger kids as helpful thing but I am new to the mom thing.

Also, my son is mild ADHD and we aren't even sure he really is it although the symptoms are similar. He is adopted (just in the last 8 months) and we are working with more issues than the ADHD-like behaviors. Will have him reevaluated next summer.

Reading isn't a problem for him - he is ahead in reading, comprehension and math - he is very bright. Just has a little trouble staying on task and not getting too hyper when playing with other hyper boys if he is with calm people he stays relatively calm as well. However, he as improved so much since he moved in with us that I want to expose him to things that will reinforce the message we and school give him - responsibility for himself, his actions, his surroundings and have fun while doing it.

We did try baseball last year - coach pitch. His playing skills didn't improve much but his hyperness and paying attention did. We will try scouts until spring baseball and we will see if he likes scouts enough to finish the year.

Just trying things out to expose him to the world and also being a kid - we have to remember being a kid was hard and even harder today - so he asked to do it and was so excited that I signed him up - luckily we will be involved to see his progress.

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I think scouting is wonderful. I am sure your son will love it.

Texannie:

Yes, he knows lot of the boys and I think it would hurt him to go in group where they are younger. Also, my son isn't that immature for his age so I would rather have him spend time with kids his age or older who could keep him maturing properly. I don't think I understand putting him with younger kids as helpful thing but I am new to the mom thing.

Also, my son is mild ADHD and we aren't even sure he really is it although the symptoms are similar. He is adopted (just in the last 8 months) and we are working with more issues than the ADHD-like behaviors. Will have him reevaluated next summer.

Reading isn't a problem for him - he is ahead in reading, comprehension and math - he is very bright. Just has a little trouble staying on task and not getting too hyper when playing with other hyper boys if he is with calm people he stays relatively calm as well. However, he as improved so much since he moved in with us that I want to expose him to things that will reinforce the message we and school give him - responsibility for himself, his actions, his surroundings and have fun while doing it.

We did try baseball last year - coach pitch. His playing skills didn't improve much but his hyperness and paying attention did. We will try scouts until spring baseball and we will see if he likes scouts enough to finish the year.

Just trying things out to expose him to the world and also being a kid - we have to remember being a kid was hard and even harder today - so he asked to do it and was so excited that I signed him up - luckily we will be involved to see his progress.

My son is in cub scouts and he loves it! Our pack is actually run mostly by men, which I love. I think the boys get a lot out of having so many male role models and the dads tend to plan more physical activities than when it's a mom planning.

From what I've observed (we're going into his 4th year of scouting, one of which I was a co- den leader) cub scouts is a popular place for kids with "issues" of one sort or another. But the leaders typically handle it well, allowing the boys to move around, but also strictly enforcing the safety rules.

What I've also observed in our pack (I was actually just talking to a friend whose boys were also in our pack about this) is that the older boys don't interact really well with the younger ones. Neither of us could remember ever hearing anyone tell another boy that he could join in a game or activity- even when it was just down-time play at the camping trips. Even the boy who had a REALLY bad (i.e. violent) rep in the elementary school was included in everything. I don't know if that's how it is everywhere, but that's how it should be, and the leaders should ensure that that is the kind of environment they're creating.

Also, remember that there is probably more packs in your town than the one that recruits from your school. Each pack is assigned schools to recruit from, but you can join any one that you want. You may want to contact the area counsel for more info on packs in your town- the leaders of the pack whose meeting you went to will be able to give you the contact info. You could also visit different packs to see where you and your son feels the most comfortable.

And, no, it's not book work- there's a book that tells you the requirements, but all the activities can be done in a variety of ways, mostly hands on activities.

Now that I've written a book I just wanted to give one peice of advise. Get involved in the pack, even if it's just something small, like helping out at one of the events. I've found that the parents who are involved know what's going on, understand why we do things the way we do them, and their kids tend to become more interested when the parents are showing interest.

Jaderock - is your son ADHD? Were there any issues in the beginning with his behavior and if so, how did you handle it and how did it improve.

Thanks for your response - I think this could be really good for him and what you describe sounds ideal...

Yes, both my husband and I will be involved.

I have a similar issue with Girl Scouts and my stepdaughter... I remember LOVING Girl Scouts when I was a kid, but she has so many issues with behavior and social interaction that I'm hesitant to sign her up. She's almost 10 but often has the maturity of a 7-year-old, and she has a hard time controlling both her mouth and temper and can be mean at times.

I know how you feel about being around kids and knowing that they're not happy to see your child. It's so hard.

My son (now 17) was in scouting. He doesn't have ADHD. I know that some of the boys in his pack/troop did. I think that your son would do well with the hands on activities, but might have trouble during group activities or presentations.

I love scouting and definitely think you should try it. My hesitation about having him go with a younger group would depend on where you are actually doing the scouting. My son was in a pack from his elementary school. His den was his age. You do things with both your den and pack. If you go younger it might ostrasize him with the boys. If he was in a pack/den where they didn't know him already, being in a younger age group wouldn't matter.

I did not have my son join because I heard that it involves a lot of bookwork these days. It's not like it used to be. You earn your badges by doing book work, and my son has enough of that.

[QUOTE=NoTellin]I did not have my son join because I heard that it involves a lot of bookwork these days. It's not like it used to be. You earn your badges by doing book work, and my son has enough of that.[/QUOTE]

they definitely have their cub scout or boy scout handbook, and they detail the way to get the badges, but it depends really on their den mother and/or troop leader. lots of the den mothers, especially of the younger boys, will do the badge activities as a group. there are some badges that just have to be done individually. plus, not all badges appeal to all boys.

Does anyone have any experience with their children with ADHD and cub scouts? Was it a positive thing or a negative thing?

On a sad note - we went last night to the cub scout sign up meeting where my son saw a lot of boys he know - camp or school and it seemed a lot of the boys weren't happy to see him there.

I hope if he joins this he will make more friends but I am afraid his feelings will get hurt.
one thought is to put him in troop with kids a little younger than he is. Remember his is behind in maturity. Some children do better in groups with kids a year or two younger. Just a suggestion, I have no experince with cub scout specifically.[QUOTE=texannie]

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My 8 yr son who is ADHD (emphasis on the H) has been in Cub Scouts for 2 years, this is his 3rd year. He has several boys in his den that are ADD or ADHD, and one boy who is autistic. They do have a lot of book work but their Den mother does it all as a group, so all the boys keep up, earn their badges (helps self esteem). The boys really seem to enjoy themselves and I think they actually learn things because it is hands on. I know my son learns better by doing things rather than reading or hearing about them.

I highly encourage every boy to join Cub scouts or any group that helpw with self esteem and social interaction.

If you are having troubles with your child getting along with the other kids, or the other kids picking on your child, maybe the best way to go about it is to talk to the leader before joining.

I know we are blessed with a superior, patient, loving, and fantastic with kids den mother

My girl tried girl scouts all last year and some days she would be fine other days she would be hyper for meds had worn off by then and once she gets going she does not listen to me and is harder to control. I used to stay and help out first the group was too big and the others would ignore her then we went to a smaller group and it was fine for the first few months then she got on the others nerves and it got boring all arts and crafts mostly. Before quitting I was not thrilled with the leader although I see what she was trying to do she revealed to the others when we were not there about my girls ADHD to make the others understand her better but I felt like a confidentiality was broken and one of the girls goes to my childs school same grade. I did make her have a talk with them about keeping it quiet and telling no one especially the one from her school.

Now the girl from her school and Girl scouts is now in her classroom this year

. I put in a call to the leader letting her know to have a word with her again and she said she would.
I forgot to say I think Newmom you are awesome adopting and recently too. Thanks Jillette! It was the best decision I ever made in my life. I wish others would look into Foster Care adoptions b/c there are so many children there who need families. We were able to adopted siblings (2). Wish I could do more but I am working on foster care adoption awareness.......

My son is 8 and he is the scouts. I personally think it is one of the best things because he is too small to play sports ( I think that is due to his meds) like football and with scouting size does not matter. They are tought to be kind and do awesome things year round. I just brought home his Bear stuff and the sparkle in his eyes was well worth it.

Give it a try, don't let those children stop you from putting them in it. Those kids do not rule the roost. Good Luck!!!!

My son just started his Webelos years, having been in scouting since first grade. I also felt that my son got a cold reception from the other boys, but I had to remember that their only experience with him was at school BEFORE he started on meds and really got himself under control. It's been about two years since any really difficult behavior problems at school, and the boys are starting to accept that good behavior is his norm now. When we are out at other things, like football games, other scouts will come and talk to him or bring things over to show him, and that makes me feel so proud of him! Before he always got looks of trepidation and uncertainty from boys, like they weren't quite sure what he was going to do. I think that being in scouts has increased my son's opportunity to show his peers that he's just like them and to gain their acceptance. Scouting is great for my son's self-esteem!

Ps- I just wanted to add that pack meetings have also given me a chance to see other boys my son's age in action...and I've realized that ALL kids have issues!! I've seen 9yo's wet their pants, come to blows, lay down on the floor, get sent out of the room---and none of those were my son!! It's a great reality check!

BPQW39353.3152662037My son has been in cub scouts since Kindergarten and he is in 4th grade and Weblos now. Scouts and friends have come and gone. some he has liked some not. Overall he enjoys scouting imensly as so does my husband, the patrol leaderbut he loves it and I feel it is good for him. They place them by grade level so you would have to find someone who would work with you, but that might be a blow to his ego. You might have to look at some different dens and find one he likes, they all hold meeting you can attend for free. Good LuckMy son is in his second year of Cubs. Sometimes he whines that he has to go but, when he gets there...he loves it. I worried at first too...like you are..but, i think Scouting is wonderful for children. It gives them the opportunity to interact with different children and different adults outside of school and they get to do activities they may not get the chance to do otherwise. My son is so proud when he comes home with a new craft or something. I think it's good for his self confidence and all children with A.D.H.D can use lots of that.

I really hope Scouting works out for your son...and for you.

Matt'smom
should have told you all - We decided not to put him in Scouts this year. We didn't realize how much parental time was involved - not like when we were young and my husband and I don't have that much time to be apart of it. We will sign him up for baseball again in the spring...
He really just wanted to go camping and we can do that as a family whenever we want. He wasn't upset.
In fact, in the last week or so I have never seen him happier. I think he is finally fully comfortable here - his behavior has changed and he is relaxed and calm........