How Scouting 'Builds Good Men'
Glen Pounder of Scouting America on the timeless value of Boy Scouts
Problem solvers are always in demand.
Whether setting up a tent in the rain or untangling a knot of data at work, sticktoitiveness pays off.
Scouting America has been building problem solvers since 1910. Millions of boys (and now girls) have developed physical skills outdoors, learned to navigate risk, formed lifelong fraternal bonds, and cultivated what we call "grit."
I was never a Boy Scout. Honestly, I was more interested in watching Oprah than going camping.
But my sons are different. They love roughhousing and outdoor adventures.
They'll join the Scouts in a few weeks, walking in the footsteps of millions of boys who've gone on to become teachers, astronauts, and American presidents.
We see it as an opportunity for our sons to be in a group of boys as they learn to solve problems, help people, have fun, learn technical skills, and simply be boys.
Episode Info:
On this episode of All Boy, Glen Pounder, Chief Safeguarding Officer of Scouting America, joins Chance Seales to explore how traditional scouting remains vital for boys' development in a modern world marked by isolation.
From building resilience and real-world skills to creating lasting friendships and positive male role models, discover why this 115-year-old organization continues to transform young men.
Key Topics
🏕️ The Power of Real-World Experience
Why boys need controlled risk and outdoor adventure
The magic of Jamborees and high-adventure bases
Trading TikTok for tent stakes: disconnecting to reconnect
👥 Fighting the Loneliness Epidemic
15% of young men have zero close friends (5x higher than 1990)
How scouting builds unbreakable bonds that last decades
The importance of male mentorship and positive role models
🎯 Building Essential Life Skills
From knot-tying to problem-solving: mastery through practice
Learning to fail safely and bounce back stronger
Merit badges as pathways to real-world competence
🧠 Mental Health & Resilience
Evidence-based research showing better mental health outcomes for scouts
How outdoor time and group activities combat isolation
Teaching boys it's okay to fail and ask for help
🛡️ Safeguarding & Safety
Modern approaches to child protection in youth organizations
The "no one-on-one contact" rule and other safety measures
Why youth-serving organizations are safer than many alternatives
⚖️ Single-Sex vs. Coed Opportunities
The value of boy-only spaces
How Scouting America accommodates different family preferences
Maintaining brotherhood while welcoming girls
Chapters
00:00 Lifelong Benefits of Scouting
06:56 The Modern Value of Traditional Scouting
16:20 Controlled Risk in Scouting
18:16 Mental Health and Scouting's Impact
20:33 Navigating Online Risks for Youth
22:21 Mastery and Self-Discovery in Scouting
25:38 Building Resilience Through Failure
28:38 The Importance of Male Connection and Role Models
31:39 Inclusivity in Scouting: Religious and Outdoor Preferences
32:42 The Role of Male Mentorship in Scouting
34:37 Safeguarding and Child Protection
41:33 Empowering Parents in the Scouting Journey
Guest Bio:
Glen Pounder serves as Chief Safeguarding Officer for Scouting America, bringing decades of international law enforcement experience to youth protection. Originally from the UK, Glen became an American citizen just one year ago. His journey with scouting began through watching his own son's development in the UK program, leading to his current role protecting over one million youth and 500,000 adult volunteers across America.
Resources Mentioned:
Find Local Troops: BeAScout.org
Philmont Scout Ranch: 140,000-acre high adventure base in New Mexico
Youth Protection Training: Available for all parents and volunteers
Programs for Different Ages
Squirrels: Ages 4-5 (new program for very young children)
Cub Scouts: Ages 5-10 (parent involvement required)
Boy Scouts: Ages 11-17 (increasing independence)
High Adventure: Specialized outdoor experiences for older scouts
Why This Matters Now
In an era of digital overwhelm and social isolation, Scouting America offers boys what they desperately need: real-world challenges, authentic friendships, positive male role models, and the confidence that comes from mastering actual skills. Whether it's learning to safely handle firearms, navigating the wilderness, or simply learning that failure isn't the end of the world, scouting provides controlled environments where boys can become capable, confident men.
Notable Quotes:
"Boys need risk... everything in scouting is perceived and controlled risk. The kids have the perception that they're taking risks because in their world they are." - Glen Pounder
"Scout leaders are like mental health professionals in disguise." - Richard Reeves, American Institute for Boys and Men
"We have over a million sheepdogs. We have no sheep for you." - Glen Pounder on preventing predators
"A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent." - The Scout Law
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