| The Boy Scouts of America |  |
http://www.scouting.org |
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
The Boy Scouts of America can be described as a delivery system. It is a network of more than 300 autonomous councils that franchise program opportunities to youth-serving organizations. This is accomplished through a yearly renewable charter. The BSA offers training programs, activity guides, support systems, and use of camps to the leadership of Jewish organizations interested in additional methods of strengthening the value systems of their members, the children of their members, and possibly other young people in their communities. Jewish organizations can control the program content, membership, and any religious requirements within the basic context of the Scout Oath and Law.
Jewish institutions have used the Scouting program since 1916. Jewish leaders Dr. Cyrus Adler, Frank Weil, and Mortimer Schiff helped guide the development of the Scouting movement in the United States. Today, Scouting is flourishing in Jewish communities.
Scouting and Jewish institutions work together to promote the religious education of Jewish youth and encourage Jewish identity. BSA programs in Jewish institutions can serve as a vehicle for strengthening Jewish values, provide a sense of belonging, enrichment, and education, offer motivational support and increase parental involvement. In addition, the National Jewish Committee on Scouting (NJCS), in cooperation with the Jewish Educational Services of North America, has developed supplemental Jewish program resources and literature to augment existing BSA program materials.
Local BSA council professionals work with Jewish institutions to explain how the programs will assist the Jewish community. The council also provides volunteer support services. In many communities, councils have Jewish committees on Scouting.
It is the mission of the NJCS to promote Scouting for Jewish youth by securing new Jewish chartered organizations and by continuing to provide individual Scouts and units with quality programs and service.
The Tiger Cub program is for first-grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub badge. Program themes geared to the Jewish community are also available as a supplement to the existing Tiger Cub program.
Cub Scouting is for second- through fifth-grade boys who participate weekly at the den level as a small group and monthly at a pack meeting, where several dens come together.
Boy Scouting is a program for boys ages 11 through 17 that is based on a vigorous outdoor program and peer group leadership under the counsel of an adult Scoutmaster. (Boys may also become Boy Scouts if they are 101/2 and have completed the fifth grade.)
Varsity Scouting is a program for young men ages 14 through 17 that is built around five program fields: advancement, high adventure, personal development, service, and special programs and events.
Venturing is a contemporary program for young men and women ages 14 through 20. Crews can be oriented toward a special interest, or an existing youth group can register as a Venturing crew and take advantage of high-adventure bases, camps, insurance, and other resources.
Boy Scouts may participate in special activities, including Scout jamborees; the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's national honor society; and the National Eagle Scout Association for Eagle Scouts, the highest rank in Scouting.
Venturers may participate in local and national activities and events. Venturers are also eligible for national scholarships and other awards.
Besides local council summer camp opportunities for Boy Scouts and day camps for Cub Scouts, many exciting experiences, including national high-adventure bases, are available for Venturers and older Boy Scouts. These high-adventure bases are located in Minnesota, Florida, and New Mexico.
A professional staff member within the BSA's Relationships Division serves as an adviser to the NJCS, which is composed of Scouters of the Jewish faith from throughout the United States.
The NJCS was founded in 1926 by Dr. Cyrus Adler. The committee has the responsibility to:
This support includes:
The NJCS provides an additional Jewish stimulus through its religious emblems program.
Scholarship programs have been established for Jewish Eagle Scouts who have earned the Ner Tamid emblem: the Frank Weil Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of Frank Weil; the Chester M. Vernon Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of Chester M. Vernon (provides the Scout selected with a four-year scholarship); the Rick Arkans Scholarship, established by Marvin and Florence Arkans.
The Shofar Award is granted by local councils to recognize outstanding adult service in the promotion of Scouting among Jewish youth.
Youth participants help pay their own way by paying dues to their pack, troop, team, or crew treasuries and by approved money-earning projects. Part of the attraction of Scouting is that synagogues, Jewish community centers, day schools, and other chartered organizations rarely incur additional expenses.
The BSA publishes two magazines for its members, Boys' Life and Scouting. In addition, there are handbooks for each phase of the Scouting program, merit badge pamphlets, leaders' books, training pamphlets, program helps, and supplemental Jewish program resources.
Unit leaders are selected and approved by the local Jewish organization. The local council and Jewish committee can assist in recruiting leadership.
Information regarding unit formation, Jewish committees on Scouting, Jewish emblems and recognitions, and other materials are available through the BSA local council service center or from the Relationships Division, S326, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079; 972-580-2171; www.jewishscouting.org.
The following Jewish organizations have endorsed the Scouting program:
| The Boy Scouts of America | |
http://www.scouting.org |