Values

Our Values:

Scout Oath

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 Law

A Scout is:

Trustworthy

Friendly

Obedient

Brave

Loyal

Courteous

Cheerful

Clean

Helpful

Kind

Thrifty

Reverent

BSA Vision Statement: The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.

Troop 495 Mission Statement: The mission of Troop 495 is to GROW young men as future leaders, to CONNECT them with the Christian faith and community, and to PROMOTE character development through Biblical and Scouting values in the Scout Oath and Law.

Troop 495 strives to deliver a quality program in accordance to this mission by implementing the Aims and Methods of Scouting. The Aims of Scouting are character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Our troop’s robust program in community service and outdoor activities addresses each of these aims as our Scouts grow in character and leadership through their participation and planning. We practice the Methods of Scouting in the following ways:

Ideals: Scouts live by the Scout Oath and Law in their everyday lives. We ask Scouts to reflect upon these values and what they mean to them in an effort to grow in character.

Patrols: The troop is divided into multiple patrols, giving every member an opportunity to practice leadership at a smaller level. Patrol members bond together as a small group of friends and work together as a building block of the troop.

Outdoor Programs: The Scouting program takes place in the outdoors, and Scouts use the skills they learn to engage in exciting activities beyond what they could otherwise achieve. Spending time in nature and caring for the environment enables Scouts to appreciate God’s living creation.

Advancement: Scouts may pursue a sequence of ranks leading to Eagle Scout, with each step building upon the skills they previously learned and challenging them to go above and beyond by improving the troop program and mentoring younger Scouts. Additional merit badges and awards representing a wide variety of interests are also available for Scouts to discover new hobbies or career paths.

Association with Adults: While Scouting is a youth-led program, Scouts learn to interact with adults as mentors and advisors. Trained adult leaders provide guidance and feedback to Scouts in a safe learning environment and serve as positive role models in their daily lives. Safety is a top priority for the program, and adult leaders are engaged with the Scouts to reinforce safety.

Personal Growth: In order for Scouts to learn and grow within the program, they set personal goals to build their character and improve their experiences. With accountability from older Scouts and adult leaders, Scouts do their best to surpass their goals. The strive to fulfill the Scout Slogan, “Do a Good Turn Daily”, encourages Scouts to grow by serving each other and their communities.

Leadership Development: Every six months, Scouts have an opportunity to serve in a leadership position within the troop. By sharing responsibilities and developing teamwork, Scouts learn to take care of themselves and their troop.

Uniform: Each Scout wears the official BSA uniform with pride, demonstrating unity within the troop and commitment to Scouting ideals. Scouts are responsible for taking care of their uniform, updating patches as they grow in rank, experience, and leadership.