Scouting or Sports? Why Kids Don’t Have to Choose

How Scouting and Sports Help Kids Grow

There’s a lot competing for a kid’s time these days. School, sports, friends, activities and everything in between can make families wonder: How do kids find time for it all? The answer may be simpler than you think. They don’t have to choose. For kids who love sports, Scouting can be another place to grow, learn and develop the skills that help them succeed both on and off the field.

You Can Be a Scout and an Athlete

Just ask Josh Hart.

Before becoming a professional basketball player, Josh Hart was a Scout. His experience in Scouting helped him develop skills that continued to serve him as he pursued his goals in athletics and beyond.

One of those skills? Time management.

Balancing Scouting with school, sports and other responsibilities teaches young people how to organize their time, set priorities and follow through on commitments.

Those lessons don’t disappear when the Scout uniform comes off. They can become habits that help kids in the classroom, on the field and throughout their lives.

Scouting Builds Skills That Sports Can’t Teach Alone

Sports are an incredible way for kids to develop teamwork, discipline, perseverance and confidence. Scouting offers another set of experiences that complement those lessons.

Through hands-on activities, leadership opportunities and time spent working with others, Scouts learn how to:

  • Take responsibility for their commitments
  • Manage their time
  • Work as part of a team
  • Solve problems independently
  • Lead others
  • Try new things
  • Set goals and work toward them

The best part is that kids don’t necessarily think of these experiences as “building life skills.” They’re simply having fun, taking on challenges and spending time with their friends.

There’s Room for More Than One Passion

A child doesn’t have to be the “sports kid” or “Scout.” They can be both.

A Scout might spend Saturday morning at a campout and Saturday afternoon at a basketball game. They might learn leadership at a troop meeting, then use that same confidence on the soccer field. They might discover that the discipline they develop in Scouting helps them manage a busy school and sports schedule. Different activities can actually work together to help young people become more well-rounded.

And sometimes, the skills learned in one activity make a difference in another.

Give Your Child More Opportunities to Grow

Every child is different. Some love competition. Some love the outdoors. Some want to build things, explore new places, lead their friends or simply find a place where they belong. Scouting gives them room to discover what they’re capable of.

Whether your child is already busy with sports or is still figuring out what they enjoy, there may be a place for Scouting in their life, too.

They don’t have to choose between being a Scout and being an athlete.

They can learn from both.

See What Scouting Can Add to Your Child’s Life

Scouting is about more than camping and outdoor adventure. It’s about giving young people experiences that help them become confident, capable and prepared for whatever comes next. Just like Josh Hart discovered, the skills kids develop in Scouting can stay with them long after their time in Scouting.

See what Scouting can add to your child’s life.

Visit BeAScout.org to learn more and find Scouting opportunities near you.

Why Scouting Matters: The Lasting Impact on Youth

The Impact Is Clear

Compared to those who have never participated in Scouting, Scouts are more likely to have a positive outlook on everyday life, build stronger interpersonal relationships, set both short-term and long-term goals, actively participate in their communities, and take on leadership roles in their schools and communities. Even those who have never been involved in Scouting recognize the positive impact Scouting can have on its members and the broader community.

90%

Nine of 10 agree that Scouting:

  • Helps youth develop character
  • Helps youth respect the differences of other people
  • Makes people more likely to volunteer in their community

66%

Nearly two-thirds of non-Scouts agree that America would be much worse without Scouting.

80%

More than eight out of 10 say Scouting has a positive effect on a person’s:

  • Ability to work with others
  • Personal values
  • Ability to accomplish tasks they set for themselves
  • Leadership capability

75%

Nearly three-quarters agree they would be more inclined to trust someone if they knew they were a Scout.

The Best Part of Summer: Why Scout Camp Creates Memories That Last a Lifetime

Camp Long Lake Summer Camp

There’s something special about Scout camp. Maybe it’s the smell of a campfire drifting through the trees, the sound of laughter echoing across the lake, or the excitement of trying something brand new every single day. Whatever it is, Scout camp has a way of turning an ordinary summer into an unforgettable adventure.

For many Scouts, camp isn’t just another activity on the calendar — it’s the week they count down to all year long. From outdoor adventures to lifelong friendships, Scout camp offers experiences that simply can’t be found anywhere else. Here’s why Scout camp truly is the best part of summer.

Adventure Starts the Moment You Arrive

The minute you pull into camp, you can feel the energy. Tents go up, backpacks get unpacked, and suddenly the week is full of possibilities.

At Scout camp, youth have opportunities to experience:

  • Shooting sports
  • Swimming and boating
  • Climbing towers
  • Hiking trails
  • Campfire programs
  • Late-night laughs with friends
  • Trading stories back at the campsite

Every day brings something different, and every Scout gets the chance to try activities they may never experience anywhere else. Camp encourages exploration, curiosity, and excitement from sunrise to lights out.

Confidence Grows Fast at Camp

One of the greatest things about Scout camp is how quickly confidence begins to grow. Camp encourages youth to step outside their comfort zones in a fun and supportive environment.

For some Scouts, that may mean climbing higher than they thought possible, speaking in front of a group, cooking outdoors, or spending time away from home for the first time. Each challenge helps Scouts realize they are capable of more than they imagined.

By the end of the week, many return home more independent, responsible, and confident in themselves.

Friendships That Last Beyond Summer

Some of the best camp memories have nothing to do with merit badges or activities. They come from the simple moments shared with others.

Whether it’s singing silly songs at campfire, laughing in the dining hall, or telling stories back at the campsite, camp has a way of turning strangers into friends incredibly fast. Scouts work together during games, support each other through challenges, and create inside jokes that are remembered for years.

The friendships built at Scout camp often last long after summer ends.

A Chance to Unplug and Reconnect With Nature

In today’s world, it’s rare for kids to truly disconnect from screens. Scout camp offers an opportunity to slow down and experience real adventure outdoors.

Instead of spending hours on phones or gaming systems, Scouts spend their days paddling canoes, exploring wooded trails, fishing at the lake, and enjoying time with friends face-to-face. Camp helps youth reconnect with nature while building real-world experiences and social skills.

Most Scouts are having so much fun they barely even think about their phones once camp gets started.

More Than Just Fun

While Scout camp is packed with adventure and excitement, it also teaches valuable life skills along the way. Scouts learn leadership, teamwork, responsibility, communication, and problem-solving through hands-on experiences and daily activities.

What makes camp unique is that most of the learning happens naturally. Scouts are too busy having fun to even realize how much they’re growing.

Camp also gives youth a much-needed break from busy schedules and everyday routines. It’s a chance to recharge, explore new interests, and discover strengths they may not have known they had.

Memories That Last a Lifetime

Years from now, most Scouts won’t remember an ordinary summer day. But they will remember camp.

They’ll remember the campfires, muddy hikes, songs everyone somehow knew, staying up too late talking in tents, and the feeling of accomplishing something they worked hard for. These experiences become stories that Scouts carry with them for the rest of their lives.

For many people, Scout camp becomes one of the defining highlights of childhood.

Make This Summer Count

Summer flies by quickly, but Scout camp gives youth the opportunity to make the most of it. It’s a place to explore, grow, laugh, learn, and create memories that will never be forgotten.

At the end of the day, Scout camp isn’t just somewhere you go — it’s an experience that stays with you forever.

This summer, encourage your Scout to step outside, try something new, and experience the adventure, friendship, and personal growth that only Scout camp can provide.

Go to Top