[majc2]

I help to run a Scout group in the UK. All adult volunteers receive anti-bullying and child safeguarding training. In my experience - bullying is not tolerated in 'these times'.

But for sure, do what you think is best for your kids.

[porker]

'these times' being the crucial distinctor.

I was a cub in the early '90s in a deprived ex-mining town in the UK. Fighting and bullying were rife.

My parents were warned by other parents they knew not to send me to the scout troop, as it operated more like a gang than a troop.

[throwaway1892]

Both my brother and I were scouts in France in the 2000s, so it is fairly recent, but the situation might be different to the one in UK, the organization and the authorities being different. There is not a strong emphasis on bullying protection (as far as I know since I never been on the organization side of things), perhaps because there are different priorities or because it is not perceived as being a widespread problem.

I don’t have kids yet, but I think that scouting is a good option. Still, the experience one child will have will vary wildly from one scout association to the other and one local organization to the other, mostly because it depends a lot on the people he will end up with.

Also congrats on your engagement ! I always had a lot of respect for those who helped run our groups.