What is a Boy Scout?

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organization

that offer effective character, citizenship and personal fitness training for youth. 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;
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.

The Beginning of Scouting

The Beginning of Scouting, as known to millions of youth and adults, evolved during the early 1900s through the efforts of several men dedicated to bettering youth. These pioneers of the program conceived outdoor activities that developed skills in young boys and gave them a sense of enjoyment, fellowship, and a code of conduct for everyday living. In this country and abroad at the turn of the century, it was thought that children needed certain kinds of education that the schools couldn't or didn't provide. This led to the formation of a variety of youth groups, many with the word "Scout" in their names. For example, Ernest Thompson Seton, an American naturalist, artist, writer, and lecturer, originated a group called the Woodcraft Indians and in 1902 wrote a guidebook for boys in his organization. Meanwhile in Britain, Robert Baden-Powell, after returning to his country a hero following military service in Africa, found boys reading the manual he had written for his regiment on stalking and survival in the wild. Gathering ideas from Seton, America's Daniel Carter Beard, and other Scoutcraft experts, Baden-Powell rewrote his manual as a nonmilitary skill book, which he titled "Scouting for Boys". The book rapidly gained a wide readership in England and soon became popular in the United States. In 1907, when Baden-Powell held the first campout for Scouts on Brownsea Island off the coast of England, troops were spontaneously springing up in America.

William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher, incorporated the Boy Scouts of America in 1910 after meeting with Baden-Powell. (Boyce was inspired to meet with the British founder by an unknown Scout who led him out of a dense London fog and refused to take a tip for doing a Good Turn.) Immediately after its incorporation, the BSA was assisted by officers of the YMCA in organizing a task force to help community organizations start and maintain a high-quality Scouting program. Those efforts climaxed in the organization of the nation's first Scout camp at Lake George, New York, directed by Ernest Thompson Seton. Beard, who had established another youth group, the Sons of Daniel Boone (which he later merged with the BSA), provided assistance. On hand for this historic event was James E. West, a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who later would become the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. Seton became the first volunteer national Chief Scout, and Beard , the first national Scout Commissioner.

Boy Scout Program Membership

Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Boy Scouting program.

Like other phases of the program, Boy Scouting is made available to community organizations having similar

interest and goals.Chartered organizations include professional organizations; governmental bodies; and religious, educational,

civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. Several groups are responsible for supporting Boy Scouting : the boy

and his parents , the troop, the chartered organization, and the community.

Aims and Methods of Scouting Program

The scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly refered to as "The Aims of Scouting"

The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in:

The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participation citizenship.

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. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts 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. 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 determing 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. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the univorm is an action that shows each Boy socut's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the merit badges that show what they have accomplished.

The 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 gi ves 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.

Outdoor Activities

Local councils operate and maintain Scout camps.The National Council operates high-adventure areas at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, the Northern Tier National High Adventure Program in Minnesota and Canada, and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys. About 70 councils also operate high-adventure programs. The BSA conducts a National Scout Jamboree every four years and participates in World Scout Jamborees (also held in four-year intervals.)