06/07/2026
Christina from Scouts BSA Troop 137 you are AMAZING! And there is definitely a place in Scouts for Parents and Girls!
Scouting is the Answer OpEd: A letter to Parents
Published in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald and Manchester Press
I am a mom of 3 teenage girls. Pray for me! As a family, we have encountered all the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys and pride of watching them grow into the people they will become. There have been quite a few growing pains for us. Parenting is not easy, and it’s not getting any easier. The literature is full of terrifying ways to mess up your kids, ways you can’t even imagine inflicting unintended trauma sure to land them in therapy later in life. Like giving them a phone before the age of 16. It’s impossible to do the right thing!
Research has found that screen time, and specifically social media leads to higher rates of anxiety and depression. Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation puts the nail in the coffin, solidly placing the blame on the rise of social media, coinciding with an overprotective bubble-wrap parenting trend. I want to limit my child’s screen time, but I also want to use the “stalker” app to track their every move, in case there’s someone waiting to abduct them, or they go in the ditch, or they lie about where they are going, all in the name of keeping them safe. It’s us. We are the “Anxious Generation” of parents!
Haidt has several collective solutions that involve a graduated time-line of phone usage, strict adherence to phone bans in schools, and a different way to look at FOMO, fear of missing out. Just last week, my 13 year old argued FOMO as a reason to have restrictions on usage time lightened, claiming that she is being left out of important social-building communication between her friends. This is a hard catch on my mommy-heart that remembers my own experience as a junior high girl. A different take is what are you missing out on while your nose is in the screen? We miss the nuance of a facial expression, the experience of personal connection, the happenings of the world around us, and the creativity born of boredom. Our solution must be an enticing replacement, a swap of equal measure in the eyes of addicted teenage consumers.
Scouting America, the century-old organization whose aims, methods and ideals strive to develop youth into excellent citizens and leaders, is worth every parent’s consideration as the answer to our problems. I have seen the pull of these opportunities on my two youngest girls away from the trappings of social media and into nature, conservation, leadership and adventure. They found something to sacrifice their FOMO and find the JOMO, joy of missing out. Here’s how it works: parent involvement, challenge by choice, advancement, and prepared for life.
I was flung into involvement when my middle was told in 4th grade that if she joined Boy Scouts, she could touch turtles. Every girl’s dream, right? This was when the organization Boy Scouts of America was first allowing girls into Cub Scouts. At this point, with very few girls involved in the Pack, I was in it with her as a leader. A few years later, when the organization opened to girls at the older Troop level, I was pegged as the Scoutmaster out of necessity. Because I wanted my daughter’s troop to be successful, I had to step up as the leader. And, because I had to, I was gifted a wonderful opportunity to participate in the formation of my daughters through this organization. I didn’t just watch them learn how to rock climb, I belayed them. I didn’t just hear about the heat, the thunderstorms, the tipped canoe, the snake at camp, the amazing meal they cooked, or the late night s’mores, I was there for the laughter and bonding. I didn’t just celebrate their rank advancements or positions of leadership, I taught them how to get there. It gave us a common love and activities that we get to do together. Scouting America offers parents a chance to be involved with their children in so many capacities, more than a single sport or hobby. It’s an all-around adventure you can be present and active in.
There is such a thing as a safer risk. Our children take risks online all the time. The news is full of true stories of people preying on children online in order to harm them. There is a misconception that unattended children will be stolen off the streets by strangers, but statistics prove there is more risk in “keeping them safe” at home in an unmonitored online world. Scouting America teaches children how to take safe risks that push them to grow mentally and physically. In the Scout C.O.P.E program, this is called “Challenge by Choice.” The organization trains their leaders in vetted safety procedures and policies. A Scout can climb up a 40 foot high-ropes obstacle course and be safe and secure. Trained adults keep them safe, and teach them how to keep themselves safe. Scouts are taught and practice how to handle hazardous situations. They go out into wilderness and uncomfortableness, and learn how to deal, survive, and thrive in it. They learn that being uncomfortable pushes their comfort zone out further, making it easier to assess risk versus reward, and challenge them to learn and grow from these experiences. Every step of the way, Scouts are supported, encouraged, and pushed to accept challenges they never thought they could do.
My youngest child wants to achieve her Eagle. She was recently elected to the leadership position of Senior Patrol Leader of her troop, and is working to figure out how to lead a troop of her friends. She knows it doesn’t mean bossing people around, but she also knows it has something to do with influence. She is navigating this trail as she learns how to lead. Scouting America gives all youth this opportunity, and it is a gift not found in other organizations. Each troop is Scout-led. This means they are in charge. If they want to do something cool, they bring it up, they lead the meeting, they lead the discussion, they do the planning. There are 17 different youth leadership positions in the troop, with a new election every 6 months. Each is an opportunity to serve their troop and community. There are 7 rank advancements, with the goal being personal growth. With every rank comes learning and overcoming challenges designed to grow an individual to their highest potential.. Who wouldn’t want that for their child?
I believe that every child has great potential to develop into an exceptional human being. The Scout Oath and the Scout Law are what Scouts are taught to live up to. It’s well rounded. It is about being your best self. It is about duty to God and our country. It is about trustworthiness, kindness, bravery, and cheerfulness. It is a path to a bright future, reflected in Scouting America’s motto; “Be prepared.” Scouts learn through activities, action, example, leadership, challenges, adventure, and opportunity, how to be prepared for anything life can throw at them. It’s more than just college and career ready, it’s about being prepared for life.
This is the magic of Scouting America. As a parent, I am so grateful my children chose to be a part of this. It’s allowed me to be involved in their lives, allowed them to challenge themselves, to grow through advancement, and be prepared for life. If you are interested in opening this door for your child, look into a troop near you. Beginning this journey is never easy, but I truly believe that Scouting America is a hidden gem that everyone should know about. I’d be happy to help you and share this amazing opportunity with you and your child!
Christina Rudd
Scoutmaster, Troop 137
Manchester, Iowa
Northeast Iowa Council
Scouting America
