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,
citzenship, and personal fitness qualities among youth by focusing on a vigorous program
of outdoor activities.
Currently, the Boy Scout program membership is 457,916 adult volunteers* 978,326 Boy
Scouts* 51,181 troops*
* As of December 31, 1994. 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, citzenship 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 1993 National Scout Jamboree. |
