Any of you guys do Boys Brigade?

[The Scottish Ambassador]

Any other members do Boys Brigade?

[Robmeister]

Ain't heard of it before.

[wpruitt]

say what ?

[The Scottish Ambassador]

Boys Brigade. Its a church based youth group. We teach the boys to march, how to look after their uniform, games, outings. This week we are doing a sponsored silence to raise money to send kids with a terminal illness to Lapland to meet Santa

[SLYinKC]

Sounds kinda like "Boy Scouts".  Or the church I grew up in had a program called "Royal Rangers".  I used to be a leader for the  6 - 7 year old boys in this group.

[hammerdrill376]

I agree. I think in many churches here it is referred to as the Royal Rangers.

[Brkeatr]

I was involved with the Royal Rangers, it was strictly an Assembly of God organization when I was involved.

[SLYinKC]

I was involved with the Royal Rangers, it was strictly an Assembly of God organization when I was involved.

Yes, that was the church I grew up in.  I was involved with Royal Rangers as a leader for about 10 years.

[Robmeister]

I am a den leader for my son's Cub Scout pack.   Pretty cool.  No...WAY cool.

[Michael]

Scoutmaster of Troop 50, Stockton, CA here!

[time2shine]

I think something like boy scouts is a great thing for kids.  I did it for about 1 year, but decided to stop because of sports.  I learned some cool trades in that short time.
About 10 years later, I found out that the co-leader of my group was convicted on sexual abuse charges.  He had abused several kids in his "troop".  This just ENRAGES me.  Luckily, I was not one of them, and did not know the guys that were abused, as it happened after my time in his troop.  But it's because of this reason, that I probably won't put my future kids in a group like this.  Only UNLESS I am a leader myself, and I know the other leaders personally. 
What is the background check for these guys??  I just can't see how a dirtbag like that was able to become a leader.

[Wil87]

I think something like boy scouts is a great thing for kids.  I did it for about 1 year, but decided to stop because of sports.  I learned some cool trades in that short time.
About 10 years later, I found out that the co-leader of my group was convicted on sexual abuse charges.  He had abused several kids in his "troop".  This just ENRAGES me.  Luckily, I was not one of them, and did not know the guys that were abused, as it happened after my time in his troop.  But it's because of this reason, that I probably won't put my future kids in a group like this.  Only UNLESS I am a leader myself, and I know the other leaders personally. 
What is the background check for these guys??  I just can't see how a dirtbag like that was able to become a leader.

Criminal checks where not what they are now, but saying that, unless the leader in question had been convicted in the past then there would be no reason to suspect him........but sorry to here about that dude!

A teacher from my school was convicted and jailed for paedophilia charges....A TEACHER!!

But back to the topic (sorry to digress admin) I was a cub back in the day (which is where you go before scouts) I did enjoy it but it wasn't really for me!!

[Michael]

...About 10 years later, I found out that the co-leader of my group was convicted on sexual abuse charges.  He had abused several kids in his "troop".  This just ENRAGES me.  Luckily, I was not one of them, and did not know the guys that were abused, as it happened after my time in his troop.  But it's because of this reason, that I probably won't put my future kids in a group like this.  Only UNLESS I am a leader myself, and I know the other leaders personally. 
What is the background check for these guys??  I just can't see how a dirtbag like that was able to become a leader.

Every effort is made to insure that these scum-bag predators do not harm our children.  I have been a Scoutmaster since 98 and involved in scouting since I was 8.  About 35 years!  I have only come across this sort of situation once in all that time.  Once too many.... but for a youth organization pretty good stats.  Remember that these predators are sly and intelligent in how they prey upon youth.  These guys are really professional and methodlogical in how they do it.  In the BSA we make every effort to check:  references are called, Megan's Law cross referenced, etc.  But occasionally someone can slip in under the radar.  I strongly recommend that any and all parents become very active in any organization their children are involved in.  Why do you think I am in the position that I am?  Scoutmaster.

--Michael K. Hopson, MA Education

[PORKY]

I WAS in the boys brigade at the neighborhood Baptist church . I had A LOT of fun there and felt really safe. We went camping fishing skating  did alot of community projects and learned alot of bible references  Must have been 70-73 ish  but they (the church) pissed me off big time !  i had one badge to go and they DROPPED the Brigade to go to a program called AWANA . I was getting a little older had alot of school things going on and just sorta dropped out , BUT it WAS a great learning program that i still refer back to in hard times of life !  When it comes down to it, it DOESNT matter where you believe its that you DO believe 

[Ian]

Yeah i was in the BB when i was younger,i remember the black arm bands that you put your badges on,the brown leather belt (with buckle) and the hat(cap).