What is the 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. In 2003, the Boy Scout program membership totaled 930,325 Boy Scouts in 44,335 troops.

What are the aims and methods of Boy Scouting?

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 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.

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.

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.

What outdoor activities can my son participate in?

Camping

Summer camp represents the highlight of the year for most Scouts. At summer camp scouts learn teamwork within their patrol and troop and seize this opportunity to pass advancement requirements and earn merit badges. Summer camp blends fun programs and advancement, competitive and noncompetitive events, and individual, patrol, and troop activities. Camp gives leaders an opportunity to reinforce what their Scouts have learned throughout the year. The troop also participates in various weekend camps, hikes and bike hikes throughout the year.

High Adventure

From time to time Troops offer high-adventure programs that include backpacking, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and kayaking, sailing, mountaineering, and much more.

As national high-adventure bases for older Scouts, the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, Northern Tier National High Adventure Program (in northern Minnesota and Canada), and Philmont Scout Ranch (in northern New Mexico) present unique opportunities for many youths year after year.

Conservation

Scouts have always taken pride in being good stewards of the outdoors. Leave No Trace guidelines allow them to camp, hike, and take part in outdoor-related activities that are environmentally sound, and teach them to be considerate of other users of the out-of-doors.

Jamborees

The BSA conducts a national Scout jamboree every four years and participates in world Scout jamborees (also held at four-year intervals).

What community service projects are required?

Members of the Boy Scouts of America have always provided service to others. It begins with the Scout slogan "Do a good turn daily" and continues through individual Eagle Scout leadership service projects.

Who sponsors Boy Scout Troops?

All troops are "owned" by a chartered organization, which has goals compatible with those of the Boy Scouts of America. Each chartered organization chooses a chartered organization representative and troop committee, and selects a Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters. Together, they implement the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting. Chartered organizations can include schools, places of worship, parent groups, PTO/PTA groups and businesses. Regardless of who the chartering organization is, membership is open to boys of all religions and ethnic backgrounds.

How do Boy Scout meetings work?

Scouting is a boy-lead activity. That is probably the biggest difference you will see between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Senior Scout leadership is composed of the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) plus at least one Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). These Scouts are responsible for planning and running our meetings.

Typically, the ASPLs are responsible for managing the meeting plan for a month, with the support of the SPL, the Scoutmaster, the Assistant Scoutmasters, and other supporting adults (by the way, troops would really like to get new Scout parents involved in this process - ask what you can do). The Scout leadership is also supported by the Patrol Leaders.

Parents are encouraged, but not required, to stay around for meetings. You should check with the troop to see what it’s policies are.

During a typical meeting, the following activities will occur:

• Opening flag ceremony
• Meeting organizational announcements
• Merit badge and general advancement activities
• Campout planning (if necessary; it also may be held after the meeting).
• Recognition of any advancement earned that evening
• General announcements
• Closing flag ceremony

What type of equipment should we get?

All of the Uniform and Book items are available at the Council Scout Shops. Some items will vary by troop – check with your troop before purchasing.

Uniform:

• Khaki Scout shirt (we recommend the short-sleeve) - comes with U.S. Flag sewn on. Buy it large enough to last at least a couple of years. If your son is a Webelos Scout, the khaki shirt he’s wearing now can be used until he outgrows it.
• Troop numerals
• Council shoulder patch
• World Scout Crest (small purple circular patch)
• Green or Red epaulets
• Some troops require a neckerchief.
• Some troops require the boys to buy uniform shorts/pants too.
• You also should consider buying Scout socks, belt and hat.

Books

• A Boy Scout Handbook. It is a good idea to buy a cover, either plastic or cloth.
• Boy Scout Requirement book (optional)

Camping Equipment

(not needed immediately, but eventually. Check with your troop for details.)
• Pocket knife (must pass Totem Chip before using this knife at a Scout function)
• Sleeping bag
• Ground pad (foam, Thermorest-type, cot, etc.)
• Flashlight
• Water bottle or canteen
• Personal mess kit (although the Scout Shop has BSA mess kits, other types found at sporting goods stores are adequate)
• Compass (get the type with a clear, rectangular plastic base)
• Rain gear
• Troop t-shirts for day wear at camp (or known as Class B uniform shirt). The troop sells these in late spring each year.

How does the BSA prevent child abuse in Scouting?

The Boy Scouts of America has adopted a number of policies aimed at eliminating opportunities for abuse within the Scouting program. These policies focus on leadership selection and on placing barriers to abuse within the program.

Leadership

The Boy Scouts of America takes great pride in the quality of our adult leadership. Being a leader in the BSA is a privilege, not a right. The quality of the program and the safety of our youth members call for high-quality adult leaders. We work closely with our chartered organizations to help recruit the best possible leaders for their units. The adult application requests background information that should be checked by the unit committee or the chartered organization before accepting an applicant for unit leadership. While no current screening techniques exist that can identify every potential child molester, we can reduce the risk of accepting a child molester by learning all we can about an applicant for a leadership position--his or her experience with children, why he or she wants to be a Scout leader, and what discipline techniques he or she would use. Every troop is required to have leaders who have been trained in youth protection. More information is available at www.scouting.org.

Barriers to Abuse Within Scouting

The BSA has adopted the following policies to provide additional security for our members. These policies are primarily for the protection of our youth members; however, they also serve to protect our adult leaders from false accusations of abuse.

• Two-deep leadership. Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings. The chartered organization is responsible for ensuring that sufficient leadership is provided for all activities.
• No one-on-one contact. One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. In situations that require personal conferences, such as a Scoutmaster's conference, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths.
• Respect of privacy. Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.
• Separate accommodations. When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian. Councils are strongly encouraged to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females. When separate facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers.
• Proper preparation for high-adventure activities. Activities with elements of risk should never be undertaken without proper preparation, equipment, clothing, supervision, and safety measures.
• No secret organizations. The Boy Scouts of America does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.
• Appropriate attire. Proper clothing for activities is required. For example, skinny-dipping is not appropriate as part of Scouting.
• Constructive discipline. Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting's values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.
• Hazing prohibited. Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.
• Junior leader training and supervision. Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by junior leaders and ensure that BSA policies are followed.

How can parents help protect their children?

Parents participate in the protection of their children in a variety of ways. We have already mentioned the need for open lines of communication so that children are encouraged to bring any troubles to their parents for advice and counsel. In addition, parents need to be involved in their sons' Scouting activities. All parents receive important information concerning the Scouting program as part of their sons' membership applications. This information is provided so that parents can detect any deviations from the BSA's approved program. If any deviations are noted, parents should call these to the attention of the chartered organization or the unit committee. If the problems persist, parents should contact the local council for assistance.

Parents also need to review the booklet, How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse and Drug Abuse: A Parent's Guide, inserted in every Boy Scout and Cub Scout handbook. The information in this booklet should be the subject of discussions between Scouts and their parents prior to joining a troop or receiving the Bobcat badge.

How does my son advance in rank?

Rank requirements for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are signed off in the Scout Handbook. Most of the information needed to pass these rank requirements can be found in the handbook. Taking the time to read and study a subject thoroughly is important and expected. When a Scout satisfactorily demonstrates that he has a complete knowledge of a skill or requirement, the requirement may to be signed off in the handbook by a troop leader.

A Scout is expected to perform service work for advancement as well. Scouts must appear before a Board of Review as a final step for rank advancement. Rank advancement is recognized at a formal ceremony called a Court of Honor. It is meant to be a solemn occasion focusing on each Scout’s growth and achievements. All Scouts are expected to wear their full Class A uniforms, including merit badge sashes. Parents/guardians are expected to attend each Court of Honor and will be asked to join their son in front of the Troop when he receives his patch and recognition for rank advancement.

How does my son earn merit badges?

Merit badges are required for rank advancement from First Class to Eagle. There are more than 100 merit badges in the Scouting program and they offer Scouts an opportunity to explore areas in which they may not have engaged otherwise. A list of merit badges can be found in the Scout Handbook. There are merit badges for many areas of interest, such as sports, hobbies, careers and Scouting skills. Through merit badges a Scout learns to manage himself, his home, his health and others.