Aims of Scouting
- Character Development
- This aim is to build self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence, and self-respect. The scout understands and improves themself: their personal qualities, values, outlook on life.
- Citizenship Training
- This aim is to nurture respect of, participation in, and caring for community, nation, and world while fostering a commitment of service to others and an understanding of local, state, and national government. Citizenship refers to the scout's relationship to others - obligations to other people, to the society they live in, and to the government of their society.
- Personal Fitness
- This aim is to develop life-long physical, mental, emotional, and moral fitness. Fitness includes a healthy, strong body, a mind able to imagine and reason, and a spirit of courage, caring, and self-control.
Methods of Scouting
- Ideals
- The ideals of Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Scout measures themself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as they reaches for them, they have some control over what and who they become.
- Patrols
- The patrol method gives Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches youth how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.
- Outdoor Programs
- 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 Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.
- Advancement
- Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Scout plans their advancement and progresses at their own pace as they meet each challenge. The Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps them gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
- Associations With Adults
- Youth learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to youth, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.
- Personal Growth
- As 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 Scouting. Youth grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with the Scoutmaster help each Scout to determine their growth toward Scouting's aims.
- Leadership Development
- The Scout program encourages youth 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 youth accept the leadership role of others and guides them toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.
- Uniform
- The uniform makes the Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. 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.
Scout Motto
- Be Prepared
- The Scout motto means that you are always ready to do what is necessary to help others. It also means you are ready, willing, and able to do what is necessary in any situation that comes along. You are also being prepared to live a full and worthwhile life, being a physically fit, honorable citizen of strong character.
Scout Slogan
- Do a Good Turn Daily
- This does not mean that you should do just one Good Turn during the day and then stop. It means you should always be looking for extra opportunities to help others, quietly and without boasting. Remember that a Good Turn is an act of kindness, not just something you do because it is good manners. Good Turns should be done for family, friends, adults, children, and especially for those that are not able to do the task themselves.
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