I can still recite the 4-H pledge and, with a little coaxing, the Girls Scouts’ pledge as well. Yes, I was in both of those organizations, as well as others. My daughter liked Daisies (beginning Girl Scouts) but the Brownies lost her interest. She loved Junior Greenpeace, but the Key Club wasn’t her thing. Should your child join a club?   

You might think club membership is something you don’t need to worry about. However, if you are the parent of an eight or nine-year-old, the flyers and school announcements are coming. Your kid might not seem interested in Boy Scouts, but when most of his friends join, he’ll re-think it.   When her friends show up in matching t-shirts, she may want one, too. I’ve been there. Should you give in to peer pressure, even if you don’t think a particular club is the right match for your child?

Any above-board organization will let you come observe a meeting or two. It’s okay to ask questions, and to do your own research. Here are some items you should consider.

What are some of the benefits of club membership? 

• Socialization
• The opportunity to learn new things
• Acquiring leadership skills
• Learning how to be a good community member and citizen

• How often does the club meet?
• What are the costs (for example: dues, uniform, etc.)?
•  What are the expectations for fund-raising?
• If my child enjoys this organization, for how long can he or she continue membership?
• Which organization is the best match for my child?
• Are parents encouraged to also help out?

Let’s discuss that last question some more. Many of these clubs/organizations do need, and encourage, a parent’s help. I have had both good and bad experiences with this. It was fun to be a co-leader, helping with crafts, in Daisies . . . but when I ended up with having to go to unit meetings and pay bills, in Brownies, the fun stopped.  Also, my daughter was ready to try something else, but we were stuck with responsibilities. My advice, if you think you might want to help, would be to be careful about how much you take on. It gets easier in high school, when your kids have a more defined idea of their interests.

There are many clubs available – too many to mention all of them, so I looked into four of the most famous ones for this article.

Most surprising to me were the 4-H programs. While kids can still learn sewing and how to raise sheep (two of my favorites, when I was 10), new programs include “Wind Energy” and “Theatre Arts.” I have always liked 4-H’s emphasis on healthy living and citizenship – but am also impressed by their program promoting science and technology. 

The Girl Scouts organization, going strong since 1912, also is big on helping girls to acquire “Character and skills for success in the real world.”  Not only is camping still listed in their programs (that was fun) but now there is an entire college planning section. 

The Boy Scouts of America, another very old, solid organization, has also changed with the times. Note the girls on the home page! A friend of my daughter’s, now a college sophomore, just received his Eagle Scout status. Talk about an organization that can grow with your child.

I had not heard much about the Camp Fire organization (no Councils in my state) but they are still going strong.  Who can argue with their statement: “Camp Fire USA develops personal resilience, intellectual curiosity, and social values.”

Do your homework and spend some time observing. Hopefully, you will find a club that is fun (the most important aspect, I think) and enriching.