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 responsibilityon 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 BSA council in your area.
