WHAT WE DO

THE SCOUTING PROGRAM

The Scouting Program is based on the principle that learning can be fun. As a Scout-led organization, the Scout Troop will offer Scouts a unique learning experience through interaction among the Scouts and through strong mentoring relationships with adult leaders. Every Scouting activity, and the manner in which it is organized and conducted, has a purpose behind it – to develop Character, Fitness, Citizenship, and Leadership. We believe that the personal and social development opportunities available through Scouting are not found in school or sports; Scouting is unique.

Scouts will have many opportunities to learn, to improve, and to set their own goals for personal growth. As the Scout advances and improves himself, he will be recognized. Since Scouting is a voluntary program, we believe that boys must find the Scouting experience fun, challenging, and personally rewarding. The Scouting Program is comprehensive and detailed. Extensive, highly professional training is available to adult leaders as well.

The three Aims of Scouting represent the long term Scouting outcomes we want for every young man. They form the bedrock of Scouting, and underlie everything we do. To achieve these aims, we use the eight Methods of Scouting. The aims are the foundation of Scouting, the methods are the building blocks.

Aims of Scouting

1. Build Character– Developing the Scout’s personal qualities, values, and outlook; honesty, courage, integrity, self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence, and self-respect.
2. Foster Citizenship – Training the Scout on his duties, obligations, privileges and functions as a citizen and member of his community.
3. Develop Fitness – Helping the Scout to develop physically, mentally, morally, and emotionally.

Methods of Scouting

1. Patrols – Small groups of Scouts who work together as teams, and give boys a feeling of belonging to a special group. Patrol Leaders, elected by the patrol members, work with the Patrol Leadership Council and the Scoutmaster in running the Troop. Planning, teaching, directing, supervising, controlling, etc., are delegated to the Scouts, and the boys learn leadership skills. The Troop provides support, including equipment, meeting place, and guidance.
2. Ideals – The personal behavior guides and standards to which the Scout commits himself. Expressed in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto, and the Scout Slogan.
3. Outdoor Programs – Draws boys into Scouting. The objectives of Scouting are best accomplishing outdoors: summer camp, regular Troop meetings and Patrol outings.
4. Advancement– Provides a ladder of skills that a Scout climbs at his own pace. Achieved through learning, testing, reviewing and earning Merit Badges and Rank Advancments. Merit Badges help Scouts
5. Association with Adults– Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.
6. 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 as 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.
7. 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.
8. 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 Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.