Boy Scouts of America
 Boy Scouting is a program of outdoor
activities, leadership opportunities, community service projects, rank
advancement, and exploration of career, hobby and special interests.
The scouting program is designed to help boys grow
into mature adults who have strong character and high ethical and moral values;
are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of
self-reliance and self-discipline; are comfortable in the outdoors and have a
respect for nature; have a desire to help others; understand democratic
principles; take pride in our nation and it's role in the world; have a keen
respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to become the
future leaders of society.
Boy Scouting provides an "internal
compass", guiding scouts down the right path. For
every 100 boys who join a Boy Scout troop:
- Twenty-one will become adult
scouting volunteers.
- Eighteen will develop hobbies
that will last throughout their adult life.
- Eight will enter a career that
was learned through the merit badge system.
- Three will become Eagle Scouts.
- Two will use their scout skills
to save their own life.
- One will use his scout skills
to save the life of another.
AIMS: Boy Scouting has
three objectives that are
the bedrock of the scouting movement:
-
To build
character: self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence, and self-respect.
-
To foster
love of community, country, and world, along with a commitment of service to
others and an understanding of democratic principles.
-
To develop
physical, mental, emotional, and moral fitness that will stay with a scout for
the rest of his life.
METHODS: The methods by
which these aims are achieved are:
-
Ideals:
The ideals of scouting are
spelled out in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto, and Scout Slogan.
Each scout measures himself against these ideals, and as he reaches for them
he helps shape the man he will become.
-
Personal Growth:
Scouts experience personal
growth as they plan their activities, learn leadership skills, participate in
community service projects, and progress towards their goals
-
Outdoors:
It is in the outdoors that
scouts share responsibilities, learn to live with each other, and put into
practice the skills learned at troop meetings. Being close to nature
helps scouts gain an appreciation for mankind's place in nature, learn
ecology, and practice conservation of nature's resources.
-
Patrols:
The patrol method, consisting of small peer groups, gives scouts an experience
in group living and participating citizenship. It places a certain
amount of responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it.
-
Leadership
Development:
Boy Scouting encourages
boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every scout has the
opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations.
-
Advancement:
Each scout progresses at his own pace as he
overcomes a series of challenges, then is rewarded for each achievement.
The advancement system helps a scout grow in self-reliance and
self-confidence.
-
Adult Association:
The Scoutmaster trains and
guides scout leaders to run the troop, helps scouts by encouraging them to
learn for themselves, and works with scouts to help them reach their goals.
Parents manage the operations of the troop, participate in the events, and
offers scouts their guidance and support.
-
Uniform:
Wearing the Boy Scout
uniform shows each scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of scouting and
to the brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. It also
makes the troop visible as a positive youth image in the community.
SCOUT OATH:
On my honor I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, and to
obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically
strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
SCOUT LAW:
A Scout is...trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
SCOUT MOTTO:
Be Prepared
SCOUT SLOGAN: Do a Good Turn Daily
Click
here to go to the official Boy Scouts of
America website.
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