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The Boy Scout Program
The
Scouting Program is based on the
principle that learning can be fun. Your
son’s Scout Troop will offer him a
unique learning experience. 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.
Your son
will have many opportunities to learn,
to improve, and to set his own goals for
personal growth. As he 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.
The three
aims of Scouting represent the long-term
Scouting outcomes we want for every boy.
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.
-
To
Build
Character
–
Developing
the
Scout’s
personal
qualities,
values,
and
outlook:
honesty,
courage,
integrity,
self-reliance,
self-discipline,
self-confidence,
and
self-respect.
-
To
Foster
Citizenship
–
Training
the
Scout
on
his
duties,
obligations,
privileges,
and
functions
as a
citizen
and
member
of
his
community.
-
To
Develop
Fitness
–
Helping
the
Scout
to
develop
physically,
mentally,
morally,
and
emotionally.
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.
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.
"Show Scout
spirit," a
requirement
for each
rank
advancement,
means living
up to these
ideals.
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.
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.
Scouting
provides a
series of
surmountable
obstacles
and steps to
overcome
them through
the
advancement
method. The
Scout plans
his
advancement
and, by
participating
in the troop
program,
progresses
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.
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.
As Scouts
plan their
activity and
progress
toward 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
his growth
toward
Scouting's
aims.
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.
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.
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