As a former member of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts (the former of which is an outgrowth of the latter), I can testify to both the value of the outdoor activities for young people which they cultivate and the danger of the generic non-Christian spirituality that is built into the Scouting system.
Concerning the spiritual side of the Cub Scouts, belief in God is required for membership, a provision which excludes atheists, but not Jews, Catholic, Mormons, Buddhists or various other groups. It is designed to teach spiritual values, but not necessarily specifically Christian values. For my part, I would keep my distance from any organization that professes to be religious or spiritual but is not based squarely on the Word of God, no matter how useful the skills which are taught and how enjoyable the fellowship. See this
critique from a Lutheran perspective (see link).
There are other
Scout-like organizations (see link), most if not all of which, I view with similar skepticism on religious grounds, personally speaking.
I have heard of the
Calvinist Cadet Corps (see link), but I don't know enough about it to have an opinion.
I think family and group camping is generally the way to go, in my opinion. I still have my Boy Scout handbook and it will be useful on our next family camping outing. It goes without saying that one should stay away from
Harold (Family Radio) Camping.
[Edited on 9-26-2006 by VirginiaHuguenot]