AIMS
 | Growth in moral strength and character
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| Participating citizenship
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| Development in physical, mental, and emotional fitness
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Boy Scouting works towards three aims. One is growth in moral strength and
character. We may define this as what the boy is himself; his personal qualities, his
values, his outlook.
A second is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the
boy's relationship to others. He comes to learn obligations to other people, to the
society he lives in, and to the government that presides over that society.
A third aim of Boy Scouting is development of physical, mental, and emotional
fitness. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think
and solve problems), and the emotions (self-control, courage, and self-respect).
The methods are designed to accomplish these 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.
METHODS
| Advancement
| Self-reliance-ability to help others-challenge
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| Ideals
| Oath - Law - Motto - Slogan
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| Patrols
| Peer groups-elected representation-activities
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| Outdoors
| All outdoor programs
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| Adult Association
| Image-role model-example
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| Personal Growth
| Good Turn-service projects-religious emblems
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| Leadership Development
| Leadership skills and practice-citizenship
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| Uniform
| Commitment to aims-identity
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Advancement
Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to overcome them through
the advancement method. The Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace 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 a boy grow in self-reliance
and the ability to help others.
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.
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
mankind's place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Scouts to learn ecology and
practice conservation of nature's resources.
Adult Association
Boys learn from the examples 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 activities, and progress towards 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 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.
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 Law
A Scout is:
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent
Scout Motto
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Scout Slogan
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| Be Prepared |
Do a Good Turn Daily |
Outdoor Code
As an American,
I will do my best to-
Be clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors,
and
Be conservation-minded.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to
prepare young people to make ethical choices over
their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the
Scout Oath and Law.
A Predilection for Success
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