Boy Scouting
works toward
three aims.
-
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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