Welcome, to the Scouting family. In Scouting we do our best to enrich the lives of the boys and make a difference in the kind of men they become. Since 1910, it has been the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their life by installing the Scouting Values.
Boy Scouting works toward three aims.
1. Growth in moral strength and character
2. Participating citizenship - boys relationship, obligations and respect toward others. Including the society he lives in and the government which presides over that society.
3. Development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness - Fitness of body (healthy and well- turned), mind (able to think and solve problems), and emotions (self-control, courage, and self-respect).
These aims are accomplished through:
1. IDEALS - spelled out by the Scout Law, Oath, Motto, Slogan
2. PATROLS - A patrol is a group of 5 to 8 boys that work together in their scouting experience. At times even places responsibility upon the Scouts shoulders.
3. OUTDOORS - Boy scouting is designed to work around an outdoor program. In the outdoors Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with each other.
4. ADVANCEMENT - Scouting provides obstacles and steps for the Scouts to overcome. After pacing each obstacle the Scout is recognized for their achievements.
Ranks are simply a means to the end, not the end itself. As a doorway leads outward toward adventure, knowledge, and eventually Eagle.
5. ADULT ASSOCIATION - Boys learn from the example which are set by those around them, leaders may be of any sex.
6. PERSONAL GROWTH - Boys grow in Scouting both physically and mentally.
7. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - As Scouts they are encouraged to take charge of their own lives and guide fellow Scouts. Every Scout shares the duties - no one can or does it all. 8. UNIFORM - A Scout in uniform has a sense of belonging, a sense of duty and respect toward other Scouts, Adults and the Troop.
The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916 to provide an educational program for boys and young adults. Boy Scouting was modeled after the scouting movement founded by Lord Baden Powell in 1908 in England.
The BSA's national council is lead by a volunteer board of directors, the National Executive Board. The administration is performed by a staff of professional Scouters.
Among its major functions, the National Council develops program; set and maintains quality standards in training, leadership selection, uniforms, registration, literature, and advancement requirements. Additional, publishes Boy's Life and Scouting magazines.
The national council does not try to control everything, it would be impossible for them to handle the some 50, 000 registered units. To achieve this the national council charters local councils to handle the local needs. The local council doesn't try to do it all either, it allows districts to take part of the load, for it's individual area of the council. Yet the Districts don't work directly with the boys - the units do. Units are the lowest level in the chain, but the most important. Units are made up of adult leaders and boys - units are at the front lines of modeling and guiding our young men.
HOW TROOPS WORK
Troop are made up both boys and adults, alike. Adults form the Troop committee, who oversees the Troop needs and ensures, over everything else, the scouts safety. The Troop Committee is overseen by the Committee Chairman. The most important single adult in the unit is the Scoutmaster who is responsible for the image and program of the Troop. The Scoutmaster doesn't plan the program out himself, but assists the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), in planning and running all Troop activities. The PLC is overseen by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), who through the other Junior Leaders runs and manages the Troop under the guidance of the adults. The individual Scouts form Patrols. Each Patrol is made up of 5 to 8 boys and are lead by a Patrol Leader. A group of Patrols make up the Troop. It is through the Patrol Method that makes the Scouting program possible?