D.K.
While I think there may be a lot for kids to learn, my son will NOT participate until BSA changes their policy on gay scouts and leaders. The local troop near us was just forming - I had a long discussion with the leader who wrestled with BSA's policy as well. He decided the potential benefits outweigh the bigotry and his troop will have the apparently usual 'don't ask, don't tell policy'. Sorry but not good enough.
Actually my son has learned a valuable character lesson. He has learned that his family does not support people who discriminate against gays. He was only 6 when we decided against, but he understands that scouts would not allow his friend Timmy to join because Timmy has two moms. And they would not allow his uncles B & M to be leaders because they are gay. Life lesson learned. We talked about this in the context of Martin Luther King, women's suffrage and WWII.
*Girl Scouts are an inclusive, non-discriminatory organization. I have no criticism of them on this issue.