Boy Scouts
The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community
organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness
training for youth.
Specifically, the BSA endeavors to develop American citizens who are
physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance
as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have
personal values based on religious concepts; have the desire and skills to help
others; understand the principles of the American social, economic, and
governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American
heritage and understand our nation's role in the world; have a keen respect for
the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give
leadership to American society.
Boy Scouting, one of three membership divisions of the BSA (the others are
Cub Scouting and Venturing), is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of
Light Award or have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11 through 17 years
old, and subscribe to the Scout Oath and Law. The program achieves the BSA's
objectives of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness qualities
among youth by focusing on a vigorous program of outdoor activities.
The national Boy Scout program membership* is 1,005,592 Boy Scouts in 52,579
troops.
* As of December 31, 2001. Includes Varsity
Scouting.
AIMS AND METHODS OF THE SCOUTING PROGRAM
The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as
the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training,
and personal fitness.
The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order
to emphasize the equal importance of each.
- Ideals
- The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the
Scout Oath, the
Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Boy Scout measures
himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are
high, and, as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he
becomes.
- Patrols
- The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and
participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and
teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in
small groups where they can easily relate to each other. These small groups
determine troop activities through their elected representatives.
- Outdoor Programs
- Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor
setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another.
It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come
alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an
appreciation for God's handiwork and humankind's place in it. The outdoors is
the laboratory for Boy Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of
nature's resources.
- Advancement
- Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in
overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his
advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy
Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence.
The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and
in the ability to help others.
- Personal Growth
- As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they
experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the
personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in
community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is
so successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good
Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal
growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each
Boy Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.
- Leadership Development
- The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership
skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and
total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a
boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship
aim of Scouting.
- Uniform.
- The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and
creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action
program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout's
commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy
Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals.
The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way
for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Local councils operate and maintain Scout camps. The National Council
operates high-adventure programs at Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico; Northern
Tier National High Adventure Programs, Minnesota and Canada; and Florida
National High Adventure Sea Base.
The BSA conducts a national Scout jamboree every four years and participates
in world Scout jamborees (also held at four-year intervals). Fort A.P. Hill,
Virginia, was the site of the 2001 National Scout Jamboree.
To learn more about Boy Scouting, or to find out how to start, join, or
support a troop, contact the Scoutmaster's for
Troop 190
Scoutmasters in your area.
