When I ask my kids what they love about Cub Scouts, the answer is simple: spending time outside with friends and visiting beautiful places.
They love camping – Mt. Diablo is a favorite spot – and biking on the Bay Trail. They especially enjoy learning skills that feel a little dangerous, like using knives, building campfires, cooking, and archery.
When my children camp under the trees and stars, a wonderful shift occurs: screens disappear from their thoughts. When children are given a compelling outdoor environment, they’re too busy having fun, engaging with nature and imaginative play. This is true for both my 4th-grade daughter and my 7th-grade son, who has since moved on to Scouts. Following in her brother’s footsteps, my daughter, already busy with swimming and ballet, fell in love with Cubs in her own right.
Cub Scouts gives children the opportunity to discover that they are capable of more than they realize. The thought of a 16-mile bike ride might seem daunting at first, but once they start pedaling, with the bay breeze on their backs, before they know it, they’ve gone farther than they thought possible. That sense of accomplishment builds lasting confidence.
As a parent, I value the unstructured outdoor time Scouts provides. So much of modern childhood is scheduled and directed. On a campout, once tents are set up, kids get to explore, figure things out, and entertain themselves, making their own fun.
I love being part of it as both a parent and a den leader. Watching Scouts progress from first-time clumsiness to proficiency is a joy. It also connects parents; building friendships on the trail or around a campfire lets us create experiences none of us could easily provide alone.
For our family, Cub Scouts is about adventure, learning new skills, and friendships – but most of all, it’s about getting outside together. We are incredibly lucky to live in the Bay Area with such beautiful nature to explore. Cub Scouts gives us the perfect way to make the most of it.
By Michael Gross
Published in the Piedmont Post August 26, 2026