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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.