<p>Stradmom,- Boy Scouts actually does have written policies prohibiting homosexuals from participating in scouts whether as an adult or a scout.</p>
<p>When there are so many other organizations that have more inclusive policies, why would you want your child to participate in one that discriminates even if they do not belong to the group that is discriminated against?</p>
<p>Would you encourage your child to join a group that did not allow African Americans to join?</p>
<p>I’ve posted this before. DD was a state #1 ranked oboe and English horn player by 10th grade. Believe me when I say…it did NOT help tip the scales in college admissions. She DID play in the university orchestra for all four years. Her school gave her a $750 a year music scholarship (school cost $50k). They also gave her instrument lessons at no cost as long as she continued playing in the orchestra.</p>
<p>Oh…and did I mention that despite her talent, she never CHOSE to enter any competitions?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>10 year old? I’ve read that in some places in the Northeast, Ivy League opportunities are considered lost if one’s child does not get into the right preschool.</p>
<p>emeraldkitty, I feel as if you’re misreading my comments. I specifically linked to Scouting for All, which is an alternative to the Boy Scouts of America. Scouting for All welcomes, well, all, regardless of sexual preference. I was in no way defending discrimation.</p>
<p>However, I could not find anything posted on the official BSA website with the language you reference. I did find a ton of policies regarding protecting children and reporting of any child abuse. Can you point me to something specific?</p>
<p>stradmom, I have participated in discussions about the BSA in the past, and have strong feelings on the subject, but I would say that this is not the place for it. I sympathize with a desire to discuss it, but…you could start a thread in the cafe. :)</p>
<p>I think it’s a great idea to introduce kids to activities that could result in valuable long-term interests. However I worry that approaching extracurriculars as a way to get your child into college can create way too much pressure for them to continue long past the time they’ve lost any interest in participating. I experienced this from the parental side shortly before my middle schooler applied to prep schools. She’d been playing an instrument at a fairly high level for many years but after a stressful academic year had burned out. We encouraged (okay, arm twisted) her to keep up with lessons and practice until after she had secured a letter of recommendation from her teacher, after which time she stopped playing altogether. This was only a period of about six weeks, but what if she had begged us to stop a year earlier? If the focus had been on using the instrument to get into schools would we have felt she had wasted all the time, money and energy spend on her lessons?</p>
<p>I think you’re getting way ahead of yourself OP. Any activity or interest can lead to a valuable extra curricular for college applications. I’d just expose your child to a little bit of everything. Take them to libraries, art museums, concerts, theater. Have them do a few different physical athletic things (swimming lessons, dance, sports, chess) and see what, if anything clicks in terms of friendships and interests. That’s all that is appropriate at this age… and presumably you’ve already been doing this with them since they were very young, so you already should have some idea of which sphere appeal most. I don’t think actual clubs are that important unless the activity is naturally organized that way.</p>
<p>thumper1–in contrast to that, we had a boy graduate from our high school, #1 Oboe player in our state and got a LOT of full ride offers in his major, music performance, from some top schools around the country. This kid can pick up ANY instrument and in 3 weeks sound like he has been playing for years–simply amazing. It just depends on the school. DD will receive a $4000 scholarship at one school she applied to just for participating in the band/orchestra program and she plays saxophone and won’t be a music major. They are trying to increase the size of their music program, which is pretty good already, so they are putting out scholarships in the $2000-4000 range to attract kids.</p>
<p>If the OP lives in a major metropolitan area, she might consider a good children’s chorus where her student can explore music with a group of like minded kids. My D was in a very well known chorus that enabled her to travel internationally, perform with first rank opera companies and some of the best conductors and symphonies in the world. (that is…if music is his thing). It demanded a serious time commitment, but was well worthwhile.</p>
<p>"I’m just entering the world of fifth grade with my child and am hoping to get him plugged into a club or two that has the potential for national recognition. " - My thought is recognition should follow accomplishments based on passions… not be be plotted out ahead of time. But if you want to do so, check into the local opportunities - different areas have different levels/depths of opportunities in different topics. </p>
<p>By the way - 5th grade is a great time to start piano or an instrument. Maybe it leads to recognition down the road, maybe not. But it will lead to a more trained mind and hopefully some joy along the way. Homeschoolers often have the advantage of more time to practice and chance at open daytime teaching slots. Good luck!</p>
<p>There is a very interesting program called National History Day. It is for students from 6th to 12th grade. For more info: [Home</a> of History Education: National History Day](<a href=“http://www.nhd.org%5DHome”>http://www.nhd.org) My D and S participated and really enjoyed it in middle school.</p>
<p>If he likes those things related to scouts, what about expanding on that with geocaching, hiking, etc for fun adn education. A wonderful CC mom (5boys) DS just finished hiking the Pacific trail solo. He does search and rescue, first aid, mountain climbing, etc. He did well in his college search, but, more importantly, loves what he is doing.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>In the book “Crazy U” one of the people in the know started her daughter at 9 mo. Fifth grade is kind of late, but don’t expect national awards tip your scale. Finding your kid some fun is more important, IMO.</p>
<p>OP–my older kids were homeschooled and I understand where you’re coming from.
Some of the activities (or hobbies) my kids were involved with were Math Counts (some homeschool groups have their own teams), piano (2 of them went to state competitions), strings (local teacher formed a group for homeschoolers), science fair, university children’s chorus, youth opera chorus, dance, gymnastics, figure skating ( there are often daytime classes for homeschoolers), soccer, fencing, golf, chess, martial arts, digital art, entomology, beekeeping, cake decorating. . .My kids really benefited from having large blocks of flexible daytime hours to practice, do research, prepare for competitions, etc. in the few activities they really became obsessed with.</p>
<p>I agree with other posters that if your child isn’t already involved with music, now would be a good time to start lessons. Otherwise, just follow your kid’s interests or sign up for a local activity or sport to see if he likes it. Kids don’t have to stick with or excel at everything they try. Just sample a few things and see what happens. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about middle school activities for future college applications. One thing you SHOULD be concerned about if your child is still homeschooled during high school, though, is the availability of another teacher/coach/mentor who really knows your child and can write a letter of recommendation for college applications.
It is great for a kid to be well-rounded and discover activities that bring life-long pleasure (or at least happy memories) but, if you’re looking ahead to college, for homeschoolers, SAT/ACT scores are, imo, much more important for admissions and more likely to help your kid earn more scholarship $$ than “the right activities.”</p>
<p>Duke TIP is available in certain areas of the country for the gifted. They have a program for 4th - 6th grade: [Parents</a> 4th - 6th Grade | Duke TIP](<a href=“http://www.tip.duke.edu/node/41]Parents”>http://www.tip.duke.edu/node/41)</p>
<p>This is more academic as opposed to EC, but thought I’d share in case you had not heard of it.</p>
<p>I was going to post and offer advice but MiddleSchoolGrad said it brilliantly, but in case you overlooked, it bears repeating: </p>
<p>" You’re doing this backwards… …</p>
<p>Step 1: Let HIM find something he loves.
Step 2: Support him.
Step 3: Recognition</p>
<p>If you force him into some sure-fire path to success right now, I guarantee you that he will not end up nationally recognized. To excel in something, you have to love it. Most well-decorated people I know don’t care about their awards, they just can’t imagine NOT participating in ____."</p>
<p>I would just add that if he hasn’t found his “passion” yet, just keep exposing him to as many activities and disciplines as possible - athletic, artistic, academic, etc. and let HIM lead YOU as to where his interests like. THEN be as supportive as you can by finding books, programs, lessons, possibly summer camps, etc. that will allow him to grow to his fullest potential within those areas. If he is talented as well as passionate, then the recognition and awards will come as a result, but I know few Nationally recognized kids who don’t truly LOVE what they do – and those who are “pushed into it” never seem too happy, and often the MOST accomplished are those that merely do it for the Love of it, and not at all for the material awards or national attention. If those things come, they are merely “icing on the cake”.</p>
<p>“If he is talented as well as passionate…”</p>
<p>And the fact is, most kids have average talent and passion. That’s the defn of average.</p>
<p>But I wonder how many of us face that reality when we look at our own kids?</p>
<p>“Junior’s gifted” “My sweetie is so talented!”</p>
<p>Ehmmm, maybe not</p>
<p>Do your child a BIG favor and let the professionals at a school educate him/her. They will have age appropriate activites, aka clubs, and you won’t need to worry about missing the boat on more important things than extracurriculars. I only read the first several posts and agree with them. Don’t be out to get the best resume, be out to give the best education. From your posts that is NOT with your homeschooling. IF your child is exceptionally gifted you will be in touch with GT programs. Otherwise use your local schools, public or private.</p>
<p>am I glad to find this thread…I think my 6th grader son will enjoy the “National History Day” from the recommendation in this thread.</p>
<p>My son is in public school but I am also collecting information so that I will not miss any opportunity. I have to admit that I were in the same shoes like awca when my son was born. I collect all kinds of information. 99.5% of them do not fit our life style, schedule, budget, his personality and talent. etc. So, after trying and eliminating many things, I have to stick to whatever work for us. So, there is nothing wrong for awca to ask the questions, get advices, and then try it out. Good luck!</p>
<p>Your son may want to join a USA Swimming swim team. Swimming is a great way to build cardiovascular endurance and would give your son another group of children to socialize with. USA swimming nationally ranks their swimmers starting at age 11. USA swimming also has a Scholastic All American Program starting in the 10th grade which recognizes swimmers who have both fast times and excellent grades. Finally many Ivy League coaches regularly attend summer and winter junior nationals looking for swimming recruits.</p>