Could Scouts Be One of the Best Ways to Help Children Build Confidence, Resilience and Spend Less Time on Screens?

For many parents, the question is no longer whether children are spending too much time on screens. It is what to replace that time with. For a growing number of Australian families the answer is Scouting, which raises a fair question: should my child join Scouts, and what would they actually get out of it?

It is easy to tell a child to put the device down, but much harder to offer something that genuinely competes with games, videos, social media and endless digital entertainment. Children do not simply need fewer screens. They need more opportunities to feel capable, connected and absorbed in the world around them. That is where Scouting may deserve a fresh look, and where the question of why join Scouts starts to have a practical answer rather than a nostalgic one.

For generations, Scouts has been associated with tents, campfires, badges and knot-tying. Those traditions remain, but modern Scouting extends into activities including canoeing, climbing, caving, STEM, dramatic arts, community service, first aid, navigation and youth leadership. Behind the adventures is a broader purpose: giving young people opportunities to develop confidence, practical skills, friendships and resilience through real experiences.

Scouts NSW recently celebrated World Scout Day alongside the 110th anniversary of Cub Scouts in Australia. Cub Scouts began as Wolf Cubs in 1916, with the program evolving considerably during the century that followed. The occasion offers a reason to ask a question that remains relevant throughout the year. Should my child join Scouts if what our family really wants is less screen time, stronger friendships and a child who believes in their own capability? According to Bel Howell, Chief Commissioner of Scouts NSW, the answer to why join Scouts lies in giving children something exciting to move towards rather than simply telling them what to move away from.

Why Is It So Difficult to Get Children Away From Screens?

Screens are not inherently the enemy. Digital skills are part of modern life, and children will continue to use technology for education, communication, creativity and entertainment. The challenge for families is finding a workable balance.

Parents often impose screen limits without having an equally appealing alternative ready. A child who is told to switch off a game but has nothing meaningful to do instead is unlikely to feel grateful. They are more likely to feel that something enjoyable has simply been taken away. This is the point at which many families first wonder why join Scouts rather than another activity, and the answer is that Scouting fills that empty space with experiences in which children actively participate.

“Scouts gives young people exciting alternatives to screens. Whether it’s camping, climbing, canoeing, caving, STEM, dramatic arts or community service, they’re actively learning, exploring and connecting with others in the real world,” Howell says.

Children are not merely watching someone else complete a challenge. They are contributing ideas, practising unfamiliar skills, working alongside other young people and discovering how their own actions affect the group.

“Importantly, connecting with other people builds trust and confidence and creates an environment where innovative thinking creates resilience. We don’t ignore the importance of technology, because digital skills are valuable, but we do introduce young people to other ways to connect, build friendships and discover what they’re capable of.”

This distinction matters, and it is central to why join Scouts is a different question from simply asking how to cut screen time. Scouting does not require families to treat technology as something bad that must be eliminated. It broadens a child’s experience so that a screen is no longer the only place where they feel entertained, successful or socially connected.

What Does the Research Say About Scouts and Resilience?

Parents weighing up whether their child should join Scouts often want more than anecdotes, and there is some data to consider. Scouts Australia partnered with Resilient Youth Australia to compare a national sample of Australian Scouts aged eight to 18 with 110,000 of their peers. The published findings show that young people involved in Scouts reported stronger results across several measures of resilience and wellbeing. Scouts were 20 per cent more likely to say they face up to problems, nine per cent more positive, 10 per cent better at coping with life and 10 per cent more likely to feel good about themselves. They were also more likely to help others, get along with different people and talk openly about how they were feeling. Scouts Australia additionally reports that Scouts were less likely to use devices overnight.

These findings show an association between participation in Scouting and stronger self-reported outcomes. They should not be interpreted as proof that Scouts alone caused those differences. Children’s wellbeing is shaped by many factors, including family life, schooling, friendships, health, personality and access to support.

However, the pattern is relevant to any parent asking should my child join Scouts, because many of the experiences built into Scouting, including social connection, trusted adults, practical challenges, outdoor activity and increasing responsibility, are closely aligned with the environments in which confidence and resilience can develop. The official research overview describes resilience as a combination of factors that help young people respond to challenges, form relationships and feel positive about themselves and their futures.

Howell says outdoor activity and time away from online channels can have a meaningful effect on young people’s moods and mindsets, which is another part of why join Scouts appeals to families feeling stuck in a screen-time standoff.

“Fresh air and physical exertion along with a disconnection from online channels is remarkably effective at positively impacting the mindset and moods of people of any age. We see this every day in Scouts.”

How Does Scouting Teach Children to Cope When Things Go Wrong?

Resilience is one of those qualities every parent wants their child to develop, but it cannot be taught entirely through explanations. Adults can tell children to keep trying, remain positive and learn from mistakes, but those ideas tend to become meaningful only when children encounter manageable challenges for themselves.

At Scouts, a child might struggle to construct something, become confused during navigation, feel nervous before climbing or discover that an activity they helped plan has not worked as expected. They are given support, but they are also encouraged to consider what happened and decide what to try next. For many families this is the clearest answer to why join Scouts at all.

“In Scouts, young people learn that setbacks are part of learning,” Howell says. “We encourage them to try, learn from the experience and try again, always with support around them.”

Scouts uses a “Plan, Do, Review” approach, through which young people plan an activity, participate in it and then reflect on the result.

“The ‘Plan, Do, Review’ approach practised by Scouts can help children to reflect on what worked, what didn’t and what they could do differently next time. That builds confidence and resilience because they discover they can overcome challenges.”

Resilience is not the absence of frustration, disappointment or failure. It is the growing belief that these experiences can be navigated, that another attempt is possible and that a setback does not define the child experiencing it. If that is the quality you are hoping to build, why join Scouts becomes a question with a fairly direct answer.

Should My Child Join Scouts if They Lack Confidence or Struggle to Make Friends?

Confidence is often mistaken for being loud, outgoing or comfortable speaking in front of a room. In reality, confidence may look much quieter. It can be a child volunteering an idea, introducing themselves to someone unfamiliar, attempting an activity they previously avoided or continuing after something has gone wrong.

Scouting gives children repeated opportunities to contribute without requiring them to be the strongest, quickest or most naturally skilled person in the group. Parents of a shy or socially hesitant child often ask should my child join Scouts when they find group settings difficult, and this is precisely the situation the program is built to accommodate.

“Confidence is one of the biggest changes we see in young people who join Scouts,” Howell says. “We encourage every child to simply do their best, not to be the best.”

Young people have opportunities to lead, contribute ideas and work with others, regardless of their abilities. Friendships are often formed through shared activities and the experience of helping a group achieve something together. Howell recalls seeing a video of a Scout who said, “No-one judges you at Scouts, not like at school.”

“Young people from all backgrounds, abilities, beliefs and locations join Scouts. Peer acceptance is inspiring to see and the lack of judgement between peers means everyone feels like they belong.”

That sense of belonging can be especially important for a child who has found conventional sporting, social or school environments difficult. Instead of being valued only for winning, performing or fitting a particular mould, they are encouraged to participate and make their own contribution. For those families, why join Scouts is less about adventure and more about finding one place where a child is not being measured against anyone else.

Why Did One Parent Choose Scouts for Her Daughter?

Adele Lockman understands Scouting from several perspectives. She grew up in the movement, now volunteers as an Assistant Cub Scout Leader and is also the parent of Cub Scout Kaysanne. She had already witnessed the difference Scouting could make before enrolling her own daughter, so she never had to ask herself should my child join Scouts in the way most parents do.

“In my time, I have seen the quietest kids who would be clinging to their mum or dad’s legs on their first visit soon become so independent that they are sad to see mum and dad arrive for pick-up from camp, as they would stay longer if they could,” Lockman says.

She had watched children progress from being reluctant to separate from their parents to speaking publicly, leading activities and taking responsibility within a group. Her own reasons for why join Scouts came down to growth without competition.

“I wanted to have her involved in an activity that is all about personal growth, but it isn’t a competitive field. If a child chooses to complete the badgework award scheme, they are running their own race. It is all about doing their personal best through goal setting. There’s something quite unique and special about that.”

The variety was another major attraction.

“At Scouts, one week she is rock climbing, the next she is canoeing, the next she is practising first aid with interesting scenarios and then she’s planning her own hike to lead her peers on … and she’s 10!? What kid gets to say they have done all these amazing things before turning 10?!”

That breadth gives children opportunities to discover interests they may never encounter through a single-purpose extracurricular activity.

What Does Modern Scouting Actually Involve?

Many parents still picture Scouts primarily as camping and tying knots. Outdoor adventure remains a significant part of the program, but modern Scouting encompasses considerably more, which often shifts a parent’s thinking once they look properly at why join Scouts today rather than a generation ago.

“Today’s program is much broader,” Howell explains. “Young people can experience everything from caving, abseiling and canoeing to STEM, dramatic arts and design, alongside opportunities to serve their local communities.”

The official Scouts Australia program currently supports young people across sections ranging from Joey Scouts through to Rover Scouts, with age-appropriate opportunities for leadership, outdoor skills, special interests and personal development. Cub Scouts currently covers ages eight to 11 nationally.

The variety can be particularly valuable for children who have not found their place in traditional competitive activities. One child may love building and design, another may thrive during first-aid scenarios, while another discovers that they are good at organising people or encouraging a hesitant teammate. If your child has already tried a few activities without any of them sticking, should my child join Scouts is worth asking simply because the program is broad enough to give them several things to try.

Children do not need to arrive already adventurous. They are given opportunities to discover what adventure means to them.

What Practical Life Skills Do Children Develop?

One of the most compelling aspects of Scouting is that young people can develop practical skills without necessarily feeling as though they are being formally taught. They may believe they are simply preparing for camp, but they are also learning to organise equipment, manage time, contribute to shared tasks and follow safety procedures. Cooking can become a lesson in planning, hygiene, budgeting and responsibility. Hiking can involve navigation, preparation, communication and decision-making.

“Scouts encourages young people to take real responsibility and build their confidence,” Howell says. “They help plan camps, choose activities, prepare meals, set up and pack down campsites, manage their own hygiene and work together to solve problems.”

Howell recalls noticing the effect after her youngest son returned from his first Cub Scout camp. He automatically took his plate to the kitchen while the family was eating at a restaurant because, she says, “he’d developed such a strong sense of shared responsibility.”

“The ‘tricky’ thing about Scouting is that while these young people are taking part in activities like bushwalking, camping and building, they are actually learning teamwork, health and hygiene, how to negotiate with others, budgeting, cooking, empathy, first aid and other skills that they can take into adulthood.”

For parents, the value is not simply that a child is occupied for an evening. It is that they are gradually learning to manage themselves, contribute to a community and understand that shared experiences involve shared responsibility. Put plainly, why join Scouts is a question about what your child will still be carrying with them in ten years.

What Changes Has Adele Seen in Kaysanne?

Lockman describes Kaysanne’s confidence as one of the most striking results of her Scouting experience.

“She is so well spoken, takes on leadership roles so easily and genuinely cares for others.”

Kaysanne has attended camps independently from her mother, including a five-day Cuboree when she was eight.

“She had such an absolute ball that I have stopped worrying about when she goes off to camp,” Lockman says.

When mother and daughter attend Scouting events together, Kaysanne calls Adele by her Scout name, Bambi. The distinction allows Adele to be present as a leader without Kaysanne feeling that she must remain dependent on her as Mum.

“I want to reinforce that she is free to be herself and not have to worry what ‘mum’ might think.”

Kaysanne has climbed rock walls, abseiled and flown in a plane through her Scouting experiences. Lockman believes the most significant change has been in her daughter’s resilience when plans do not unfold as expected.

“Sometimes things don’t go to plan and she has to learn to adjust, change and improvise. The fact that she is able to do that, and it hasn’t always been easy, is incredible.”

This is what practical independence can look like: not a child who never needs support, but one who has enough confidence to attempt the next step before assuming somebody else must do it for them. For parents still asking should my child join Scouts, this is often the change they are actually hoping for.

Why Has Cub Scouting Remained Relevant for 110 Years?

Childhood has changed enormously since the Wolf Cub program began in Australia in 1916. Technology has transformed how young people learn, communicate and spend their free time, while the modern Scouting program now welcomes young people from across the community and places greater emphasis on youth-led development. Yet many fundamental needs of childhood remain unchanged. Young people still need friendship, confidence, practical skills, trusted adults and opportunities to encounter challenges in a supportive environment.

“The world changes, but young people still need confidence, resilience, friendships and life skills, probably even more so in a world where technology is so ubiquitous,” Howell says.

Scouting activities have evolved, but the underlying focus remains helping young people grow into capable individuals.

“Even failing is safe at Scouts because young people are surrounded with adults and their peers who all want to see them and help them succeed.”

That may be one reason the movement has remained relevant, and one reason why join Scouts is still a live question for Australian families more than a century later. Childhood can feel increasingly performance-driven. Children are assessed at school, compared through sport and exposed to carefully presented versions of success online. Scouts offers an environment where effort matters, mistakes are expected and progress does not have to look identical for every child.

Is There an Ideal Age to Join?

Scouting is available across several age-based sections, but Howell believes the pre-teen years can be particularly valuable for developing confidence, independence and resilience. Timing is often the second question parents raise, immediately after should my child join Scouts at all.

“The pre-teen years are an especially important time for building confidence, independence and resilience because young people are experiencing significant brain growth and change,” she says.

These years can involve shifting friendships, new responsibilities, stronger emotions and more complicated social expectations.

“Confidence can be taught, but it’s not a natural feeling for pre-teens. Resilience comes with trying, failing, learning and trying again, and being supported along the way. Scouts is a safe place to fail and an exciting place to learn.”

This does not mean a family has missed its opportunity if a child is older. Scouts Australia provides age-based sections from five through to 25, with activities and responsibilities evolving as participants progress.

The right time may simply be when a young person is ready to try something new.

What Does Kaysanne Say About Being a Scout?

Adults may describe Scouting in terms of resilience, confidence and long-term development, but children often explain why join Scouts much more simply. “My favourite thing about Scouts is making new friends and learning new skills,” Kaysanne says.

The coolest thing she has learned so far is how to construct a Da Vinci bridge using poles without ropes. Asked whether she had formed friendships through Scouts, her answer was emphatic. “Yes! I have made A LOT of friends through Scouts! They are my best friends.”

Her advice to another child considering joining is equally direct. “Do it! You will make friends, learn new skills and have so much fun! Nothing beats being a Scout!”

Parents may initially be attracted to the practical and developmental benefits, but children return because they enjoy participating.

How Can Families Decide Whether Scouts Is the Right Fit?

Parents do not have to decide immediately whether their child will become a lifelong Scout. Lockman recommends allowing children enough time to experience the breadth of the program rather than judging it after one evening, which is sensible advice for anyone still weighing up why join Scouts over another after-school option.

“Scouts offers a four-week free trial, and I’d encourage families to attend all four weeks because no two nights are the same,” she says. This particular trial arrangement was provided in Lockman’s written interview; families should confirm current availability and terms with their local Scout Group.

“One week your child might be doing science experiments, the next learning navigation skills, cooking on a campfire, playing team games or planning an adventure.”

Howell similarly encourages uncertain parents to let their child experience it before deciding whether their child should join Scouts.

“Scouts offers such a wide range of activities that there’s genuinely something for everyone. Young people are supported in a non-judgemental environment where they are encouraged to discover new interests, build confidence, make friends and learn from one another.”

Children do not have to arrive already independent, adventurous or socially confident. These are qualities they may develop gradually through participating.

“In Scouts you don’t have to be the best, the fastest, the cleverest, the strongest or the most popular. You just have to be willing to try, fail, learn and always do your best.”

Should My Child Join Scouts? What Families Should Weigh Up

World Scout Day provided the reason to revisit Scouting, but the questions it raises extend well beyond one annual celebration. Parents are searching for ways to help children feel more confident, form genuine friendships, manage setbacks and spend less time absorbed by screens. No single activity will suit every child, and joining Scouts cannot guarantee a particular social, emotional or wellbeing outcome.

What it can provide is an environment built around participation: real responsibility without relentless competition, adventure without an expectation of perfection, and face-to-face connection that does not have to be artificially forced. Children are not merely consuming entertainment. They are building, planning, cooking, navigating, leading, helping, failing, adapting and trying again.

The result is not simply a child who knows how to pitch a tent or build a bridge. It may be a child who becomes more willing to speak up, more comfortable meeting new people and more confident in their ability to respond when something does not go according to plan. If there is one thing Howell wishes every parent understood, it is that modern Scouting is about far more than outdoor adventure.

“It’s a place where young people can safely try new things, learn from mistakes, develop confidence and resilience, build lasting friendships and discover what they’re capable of.”

“Digital technology will always be part of young people’s lives, but Scouts gives them meaningful opportunities to connect with people, nature and their communities in ways that help them thrive.”

So, should my child join Scouts? Only your family can answer that, but if you are looking for something that could meaningfully replace some of that screen time, why join Scouts may be one of the most practical questions you ask this year. Scouting is not simply an old tradition worth revisiting. It may be one of the most relevant opportunities available to children today.

Scouts NSW runs free trials for new members across the state, with sections for ages five through to 25. You can find your local group at nsw.scouts.com.au.

Interview note: All quoted responses have been attributed to Bel Howell, Chief Commissioner, Scouts NSW; Adele Lockman, Assistant Cub Scout Leader and parent; and Kaysanne Lockman, Cub Scout participant. Their comments were supplied through written interviews with Parenthood360.

Editorial disclaimer: Products and experiences may be provided to Parenthood360 for editorial consideration. Coverage is never guaranteed, and all published content, opinions and experiences shared are independently created and reflect our own views.