3. Supported by Research

Research Shows Scouting has a Positive Effect on Children

Research from Johns Hopkins University showed that there are 7 seven key “Positive Childhood Experiences” (PCEs) that shape the course of a child’s health and resiliency as they grow into adulthood 

The following points show how all seven are supported by Scouting:

1. The ability to talk with family about feelings. Scouts and families are encouraged to review the Youth Protection Guide together before participating in the program and embarking on rank advancement.

2. The sense that family is supportive during difficult times. Scouting provides a multitude of avenues for kids and their families to overcome struggles and achieve success, from backpacking 50 miles to leading others through a community service project.

3. The enjoyment of participation in community traditions. Not only has Scouting itself been a community tradition for more than 100 years, but the program also provides opportunities for kids to be a part of long-standing local traditions such as food drives, parades and planting flags on the graves of fallen Veterans.

4. Feeling a sense of belonging in high school. Scouting is one constant that provides a positive circle of fellowship as young people embark on the difficult transition from middle school to high school.

5. Feeling supported by friends. Scouting creates lifelong friendships as Scouts grow with one another year after year. As a matter of fact, Stephen Spielberg featured this in his recent movie “The Fablemans” Read more here.

6. Having at least two non-parent adults who genuinely cared. Scouting always has adults outside a child’s immediate family who are ready to guide and uplift them. CPC’s average ratio of kids to adults is nearly 3:1, which is unmatched in youth-serving programs, especially compared to sports or other after-school activities.

7. Feeling safe and protected by an adult in the home. Youth Protection training teaches Scouts that they deserve to feel safe at all times and encourages families to have meaningful conversations about youth safety.  These discussions can provide emotional stability and connection for children and their parents.

Tufts University Study

Dr. Richard M. Lerner and his team at Tufts University conducted a study of 1,800 Cub Scouts and 400 non-Scouts under the age of 12 over a two-and-a-half to three-year period.  The used a mixed-methods approach with interviews and surveys collected across 5 separate time points.  The study found that Cub Scouts showed notable positive development in six core virtues:

• being cheerful,

• helpful,

• kind,

• obedient,

• trustworthy

• and hopeful about their future.

Scouts were more likely to prioritize helping others and doing the right thing over competitive achievements like sports status or being the best.  Youth who participated in both Scouting and team sports embraced prosocial values at higher rates than kids who only played sports.

A re-analsys of a 1950's study conducted in Aberdeen, Scotland showed similar findings: that scouting is good for you!

Search Institute has shown that Scouting helps promote 40 developmental assets for young children and research published in the National Library of Medicine shows that Scouting helps promote positive mental health development through the shaping of personal competency using methods that promote self-efficacy.

The positive effects of Scouting have been shown to help individuals all the way through adulthood!