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.

Purpose of 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.

Excerpted: BSA web site, copyright 2005 by BSA

For every 100 boys who join Scouting, records indicate that:

- RARELY will one be brought before the juvenile court system

- 2 will become Eagle Scouts

- 17 will become future Scout volunteers

- 12 will have their first contact with a church

- 1 will enter the clergy

- 5 will earn their church award

- 18 will develop a hobby that will last through their adult life

- 8 will enter a vocation that was learned through the merit badge system

- 1 will use his Scouting skills to save his own life

- 1 will use his Scouting skills to save the life of another person

Scouting's alumni record is equally impressive.

A recent nation-wide survey of high schools revealed the following information:

- 85% of student council presidents were Scouts

- 89% of senior class presidents were Scouts

- 80% of junior class presidents were Scouts

- 75% of school publication editors were Scouts

- 71% of football captains were Scouts

Scouts also account for:

- 64% of Air Force Academy graduates

- 68% of West Point graduates

- 70% of Annapolis graduates

- 72% of Rhodes Scholars

- 85% of F.B.I. agents

- 26 of the first 29 astronauts

Methods of Scouting

The methods are designed to accomplish the aims. Thus it is important that you know and use the methods of Boy Scouting. Other methods are good, but they may bring different results -- results quite different than we are seeking.

ideals

The ideals of Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan. The 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 he becomes. "Show Scout spirit," a requirement for rank advancement, means living up to these ideals.

patrols

The patrol method 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. The patrol method allows Scouts to act in small groups where they easily can relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through their elected representatives.

outdoors

Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoors that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with each other. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Scouts gain an appreciation for God's handiwork and humankind's place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

advancement

Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to overcome them through the advancement method. The Scout plans his advancement and, by participating in the troop program, progresses as he overcomes each challenge. The Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence.

The steps in the advancement system help him grow in self reliance and the ability to help others.

adult association

Boys learn from the example set by their adult leaders. Troop leadership may be male or female, and association with adults of high character is encouraged at this stage of a young man's development.

Personal Growth

As Scouts plan their activity and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others.

There probably is no device so successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn.

The religious emblems program is also a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.

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. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership roles of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

uniform

The uniform makes the 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 Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals.

The uniform is practical attire for Scout activities, and provides a way for Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.

The Right Method For The Job

Scouting's methods represent the tools we use, the path we take in reaching for our goals. In every Scouting activity, some element of each of these methods will be evident. Sometimes this will be obvious; often it will not. But the methods are where we concentrate our attention and effort. A balanced combination of these will lead us to the aims.

Some would say that the methods really aren't that important, that it doesn't matter what methods you use as long as you have the same aims and concentrate on those. That's not necessarily true. In any effort, if you concentrate all of your attention and effort on the goal you want to achieve, you can't be paying much attention to how you're getting there and whether the path you're taking will lead to success. Imagine trying to navigate a maze by maintaining your focus on the exit. No matter what you do, you'll soon find yourself lost in the maze.

Excerpted: "The Scoutmaster Handbook", copyright 1999 by BSA