Scouts

Why Boy Scouts?

There are many reasons for joining Boy Scouts. For the youth it’s about having fun and adventure. For the parents it’s about spending more quality time with their son and knowing along with fun and adventure he’ll be learning life skills, will experience personal growth, and will develop into a well-rounded young man.

The Boy Scouts of America was founded on these great ideals and principles.

The Mission of Scouts BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Scout Oath: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country. To obey the Scout law. To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”
Scout Law: “A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.”
Scout Motto: “Be prepared.”
Scout Slogan: “Do a good turn daily.”

The Aims of the Boy Scouts of America are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

The Methods are the way the Aims of the Boy Scouts of America are carried out.

Ideals

The ideals of the Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and 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 the Troop activities through their elected representatives. Click here to learn more about the patrol method.

Current Patrols

Outdoor Program

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.

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 their Troops. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourages them, and take sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

Personal Growth

As Boy 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 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 as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program is also a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth towards 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 shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps the boy accept the leadership roles of others and guides him towards the citizenship aim of Scouting.

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 the practical attire for the Boy Scout activities and provides a way for the Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.