Scouts BSA Program Information

The Boy Scout Program

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 principals 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 keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society.

Boy Scouting is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light Award or who 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.

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 ideas 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 method 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.

Key Elements in Scouting

Scout Law - A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

Scout Oath or Promise - 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 Motto - Be Prepared

Scout Slogan - Do a Good Turn Daily

Advancement Ranks - Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle

The Troop Meeting - Troop meetings are held once a week at the troop meeting location (ex. church basement, school gym, etc.). The meeting is run by the Senior Patrol Leader and consists of five parts (although each troop is slightly different).

1. Pre-Opening – This is the part of the meeting that occurs as the Scouts arrive. It could consist of a game, preparing for the next trip, working on advancement, etc.

2. Opening – The official start of the meeting includes a flag ceremony and patrol reports.

3. Skill Session – This consists of a demonstration or guest speaker on various Scout related topics.

4. Inter-Patrol Activity – This can be a troop game, contest, or other activity.

5. Patrol Meeting – At this point each patrol retreats into their corner where they take attendance, collect dues and discuss patrol business such as planning for the next trip or activity.

6. Closing – Final announcements are made and any badges or awards earned are presented.

Day Trips – Most troops go on a monthly trip on a Saturday or Sunday to a museum, zoo, attraction, or other activity.

Camping Trips – Most active troops camp year round on a monthly basis. In warm weather they stay in tents and cook over a campfire. In cool weather they may choose to stay in a lean-to (a 3-sided wooden shelter) and in winter cabin facilities with heat and a kitchen are used.

Summer Camp – Each summer Scouts have the opportunity to attend a week long Boy Scout Summer Camp. Activities there include: swimming, boating, canoeing, climbing, mountain biking, sports, rifle shooting, archery, handicraft, fishing, hiking, nature study, and earning various badges.

Boys’ Life - Boys’ Life magazine is published by the Boy Scouts of America to give Scout leaders theme-related BSA program support each month; to give boys wholesome, interesting, and informative reading material; and to bring the values of Scouting into the subscriber’s home on a regular basis.

Volunteer Scouters - Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Boy Scouting program. They serve in a variety of jobs – everything from unit leaders to chairmen of troop committees, committee members, merit badge counselors and chartered organization representatives. Volunteer Scouters are expected to be positive role models reflecting the ideals of the scouting program.

Community Organizations - Like other phases of the program, Boy Scouting is made available to community organizations having similar interests and goals. Chartered organizations include professional organizations, governmental bodies and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens’ groups. Each organization is responsible for leadership, the meeting place, and support for troop activities.

Who Pays for it?

Several groups are responsible for supporting Boy Scouting: the boy and his parents, the troops, the chartered organization, and the community. Boys are encouraged to earn money whenever possible to pay their own expenses and they also contribute dues each week to their troop treasuries to pay for budgeted items. Troops obtain additional income by working on approved money-earning projects. The community, including parents, supports Scouting through the United Way, Sustaining Enrollment or Friends of Scouting, bequests, and special contributions to the BSA local council. This income provides leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional service units.