A troop of kids decked out in uniform with the iconic orange neckerchief, lined up in the middle of a forest following a guide. That is the image that comes to mind when we say Boy Scouts. American families will be familiar with the Boy Scouts of America, and also their younger counterpart the Cub Scouts. We are happy to discover that the Boy/Cub Scouts exist here in Beijing, China as well!

Any overseas passport holders in Beijing are able to access Scouting through both the Boy Scouts of America and the USA Girl Scouts Overseas.

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes through a combination of monthly outdoor activities – hiking, camping, as well as weekly evening indoor meetings where we emphasize citizenship, fair play, leadership, ethics, fitness, and other skills.  The USA Girl Scouts Overseas has a similar curriculum that focuses on building girls of courage, confidence & character who make the world a better place.

Don’t worry if you’re not outdoors-savvy, everyone pitches in where they can. Parent involvement can range from cooking at campouts, leading indoor games and crafts, to coaching sports.

Please contact below for more information:

Cub Scouts (grades K-5) – pack3944@gmail.com
Boy Scouts (grades 6-12) – beijingtroop943@gmail.com
Girl Scouts (grades K-12) – beijinggirlscouts@usagso.org

Scouting is a highly involved family event and parents should be ready to actively participate in and lead sessions for the group. If you are interested to sign up, make sure you are truly ready and able to commit to weekly and monthly events and activities where you will be called to action! Share your skills with the future generation and help to shape young minds.

This Wednesday, the Cub Scouts Pack 3944 are organizing a get-to-know-you session as well as a Olympics-style event where kids will take part in various sporting events and compete together. This event is open to boys from ages 5 to 11. Attending parents will be invited to volunteer and help out, so be prepared! Please register in advance by scanning the QR code in the poster below as no walk-ins will be entertained.

KEEP READING: Getting Into That Back-to-School Mindset

Images: Pexels, Cub Scouts

It’s back to school once more, but this shouldn’t mean all study and no play for children! Luckily there’s no shortage of seasonal or afterschool activities for kids of all ages in Beijing, and perhaps one of the most valuable activities is scouting… even (or especially) for the smartphone generation.

We’ve caught up before with leaders of these organizations, and they explained how scouting develops leadership and empowers young people through opportunities which teach them responsibility and outdoor survival skills — things children cannot learn effectively even if they’re using the most sophisticated smartphone available.

Here are some details about the scouting registration events happening later this month.

Beijing Cub Scouts Pack 3944 Registration, Aug 18
Boys and girls aged 5 to 11 who are looking for excitement, fun, and to make new friends are invited to sign up for Cub Scouts at International School of Beijing (ISB). Cub Scouts work through a series of “adventures,” earning awards until they’ve succeeded in graduating their year group. Membership is open to all boys and girls, regardless of nationality or school attended, with one important proviso: under Chinese law, the child must hold a foreign (non-Chinese) passport with a valid visa in order to join. This rule is strictly enforced and there are no exceptions. You’ll also need evidence of your health insurance, and annual fees of RMB 1,200.

Kids 5+. 10am. ISB. (www.beijingcubscouts.com)

Girl Scout Registration, Aug 25
This year’s Girl Scout registration event takes place at Western Academy of Beijing (WAB). on August 25. Troops meet downtown and in Shunyi at various locations. The Girl Scouts team will also be recruiting leaders for newly forming troops. Girl Scouts is open to foreign passport holders only.

All ages. RMB 2,000 (new members), RMB 1,700 (girls who don’t need a uniform). 11am-1pm. WAB. (Amy Kennedy: 185 1505 3922, beijinggirlscouts@usagso.org)

Photos: Girl Scouts of the USA; courtesy of Beijing Cub Scouts Pack 3944

Young girls out there, our friends from Girl Scouts of Beijing are inviting you to join their renowned organization. This coming Saturday, August 26, a registration event will be held at the Elementary School Cafe of Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) from 9.30-11.30 am.

Laura Lyman, president of Girl Scouts of Beijing says registrants will be placed in a troop, meet troop leaders, and have a chance to ask any questions they may have. She also advises girls or parents who wish to fill out the registration forms in advance to visit their website at www.girlscoutsbeijing.com or email them at info@girlscoutsbeijing.com. Forms can also be downloaded here.

Joining the scouting organization brings many opportunities for young girls, including volunteering work or even starting their own troop. Girl Scouts also help in events like charity collection drives and of course, cookie making to fund their activities.

Girl Scout Registration Event, Aug 26
Young girls from kindergarten to high school and adults. Learn about the registration process for the 2017-18 Girl Scouts in person. The registration is open only to foreign passport holders due to Chinese regulations. Free. 9.30-11.30am. Girl Scouts of Beijing. (Laura Lyman 186 1381 6110, info@girlscoutsbeijing.com) Western Academy of Beijing, 10 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District.

Photos: Girl Scouts of the USA; courtesy of Girl Scouts of Beijing; OpenClipart-Vectors via Pixabay

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Email: andypenafuerte@beijing-kids.com
Instagram: @coolkidandy