Boy Scout Aims and Methods

> > > Triple Prizes < < <

Aims of Scouting

Character Development: This aim is to build self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence, and self-respect. The scout understands and improves himself: his personal qualities, his values, his 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 - his obligations to other people, to the society he lives in, and to the government of his 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 Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout 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 members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.

Outdoor Programs: 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. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts 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.

Associations With Adults: Boys 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 boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

Personal Growth: As Boy 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 Boy Scouting. Boys 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 his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth toward 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 both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward 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 practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy 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.

Boy Scout Oath, Boy Scout Law

Follow Me, Boys

Recent Comments

Amie E on Awards

LArave on Greased Watermelon game

Scouter Paul on First Class

Wendy on First Class

Scouter Paul on Boy Scout Uniform

L. Brown Harkus on Boy Scout Uniform

Steve W. on Boy Scout Uniform

tim on Boy Scout Uniform

Steve W. on Boy Scout Uniform

Michael Ginther on Boy Scout Uniform

More Comments...

Contest - Ask a Question - Add Content - scout software

This site is not officially associated with the Boy Scouts of America

listeria testing scout software American Business merit badge American Cultures merit badge American Heritage merit badge American Labor merit badge Animal Science merit badge Archaeology merit badge Archery merit badge Architecture merit badge Art merit badge Astronomy merit badge Athletics merit badge Atomic Energy merit badge Automotive Maintenance merit badge Aviation merit badge Backpacking merit badge Basketry merit badge Bird Study merit badge Bugling merit badge Camping merit badge Canoeing merit badge Carpentry merit badge Chemistry merit badge Chess merit badge Cinematography merit badge Citizenship in the Community merit badge Citizenship in the Nation merit badge Citizenship in the World merit badge Climbing merit badge Coin Collecting merit badge Collections merit badge Communications merit badge Composite Materials merit badge Computers merit badge Cooking merit badge Crime Prevention merit badge Cycling merit badge Dentistry merit badge Disabilities Awareness merit badge Dog Care merit badge Drafting merit badge Electricity merit badge Electronics merit badge Emergency Preparedness merit badge Energy merit badge Engineering merit badge Entrepreneurship merit badge Environmental Science merit badge Family Life merit badge Farm Mechanics merit badge Fingerprinting merit badge Fire Safety merit badge First Aid merit badge Fish and Wildlife Management merit badge Fishing merit badge Fly Fishing merit badge Forestry merit badge Gardening merit badge Genealogy merit badge Geocaching merit badge Geology merit badge Golf merit badge Graphic Arts merit badge Hiking merit badge Home Repairs merit badge Horsemanship merit badge Indian Lore merit badge Insect Study merit badge Inventing merit badge Journalism merit badge Kayaking merit badge Landscape Architecture merit badge Law merit badge Leatherwork merit badge Lifesaving merit badge Mammal Study merit badge Medicine merit badge Metalwork merit badge Model Design and Building merit badge Motorboating merit badge Music merit badge Nature merit badge Nuclear Science merit badge Oceanography merit badge Orienteering merit badge Painting merit badge Pathfinding merit badge Personal Fitness merit badge Personal Management merit badge Pets merit badge Photography merit badge Pioneering merit badge Plant Science merit badge Plumbing merit badge Pottery merit badge Public Health merit badge Public Speaking merit badge Pulp and Paper merit badge Radio merit badge Railroading merit badge Reading merit badge Reptile and Amphibian Study merit badge Rifle Shooting merit badge Robotics merit badge Rowing merit badge Safety merit badge Salesmanship merit badge Scholarship merit badge Scouting Heritage merit badge Scuba Diving merit badge Sculpture merit badge Search and Rescue merit badge Shotgun Shooting merit badge Signaling merit badge Skating merit badge Small-Boat Sailing merit badge Snow Sports merit badge Soil and Water Conservation merit badge Space Exploration merit badge Sports merit badge Stamp Collecting merit badge Surveying merit badge Swimming merit badge Textile merit badge Theater merit badge Tracking merit badge Traffic Safety merit badge Truck Transportation merit badge Veterinary Medicine merit badge Water Sports merit badge Weather merit badge Welding merit badge Whitewater merit badge Wilderness Survival merit badge Wood Carving merit badge Woodworking merit badge

Boy Scout Motto

Boy Scout Aims and Methods