How Scouting is Helping Kids Return to Normal post-Pandemic

Angie Minett is the Chair of Scouts BSA, and the Program Development Committee. Scouts is now co-ed, with equal opportunities for boys and girls, especially as we emerge completely from the Covid-10 pandemic.

Scouting can play a crucial role in helping kids return to a sense of normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic by providing structure, social interaction, and opportunities for personal growth. Here’s how:

1. Rebuilding Social Connections

• In-Person Interaction: Scouting offers a structured environment where kids can safely reconnect with peers. The collaborative nature of Scouting activities helps rebuild social skills and fosters teamwork.
• Community Engagement: Through service projects and community involvement, Scouts can re-engage with their communities, strengthening their sense of belonging and purpose.

2. Physical and Mental Well-being

• Outdoor Activities: Scouting emphasizes outdoor activities, which promote physical fitness and mental health. After months of lockdowns and limited physical activity, participating in hikes, camping, and other outdoor adventures can be revitalizing.
• Mental Resilience: The challenges and problem-solving aspects of Scouting help build mental resilience, which is particularly important for children recovering from the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic.

3. Educational Support

• Skill Development: Scouting programs teach practical life skills, such as first aid, leadership, and problem-solving, which can complement formal education and help make up for some of the learning gaps experienced during the pandemic.
• Structured Learning: The merit badge system in Scouting provides a structured way for kids to learn new skills at their own pace, encouraging lifelong learning and personal development.

4. Emotional Support

• Supportive Environment: Scouting offers a supportive community where children can express themselves, share experiences, and find guidance from adult leaders and peers. This support system can be crucial for those struggling with post-pandemic anxiety or depression.
• Positive Reinforcement: Achieving milestones in Scouting, such as earning badges or ranks, provides positive reinforcement and boosts self-esteem, helping kids regain confidence that may have been shaken during the pandemic.

5. Sense of Normalcy

• Routine and Structure: Regular meetings, activities, and events provide a routine that many children lost during the pandemic. This return to structured activities helps re-establish a sense of normalcy and stability.
• Traditions and Rituals: Scouting traditions, such as ceremonies and campfires, offer a comforting sense of continuity, helping kids reconnect with familiar activities and experiences.

6. Family Involvement

• Family Scouting: Scouting programs often encourage family participation, allowing parents and siblings to join in activities. This can strengthen family bonds, especially after the stresses of the pandemic.
• Parental Support: Through Scouting, parents can play an active role in their child’s recovery, working together on projects, attending events, and supporting their child’s Scouting journey.

Scouting can serve as a bridge back to normalcy, helping children regain lost skills, rebuild social connections, and restore their confidence and well-being after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.