|
The Boy Scouts of America provides boys, ages 11-17, a program of fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities, and a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests, all designed to achieve the BSA's objectives of strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship.
It is the BSA's mission to develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have personal values based on religious concepts; have the desire and skills to help others; understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world; have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society.
The Scouting Movement
Scouting, as known to millions of youth and adults, evolved during the early 1900s through the efforts of several men dedicated to bettering youth through certain kinds of education that the schools couldn't or didn't provide. These pioneers formed a variety of youth groups, many with the word "Scout" in their names, based upon an outdoor program of activities that developed skills in young boys and gave them a sense of enjoyment, fellowship, and a code of conduct for everyday living.
Robert Baden-Powell, after returning to Britain a hero following military service in Africa, found boys reading the manual he had written for his regiment on stalking and survival in the wild. Gathering ideas from Scoutcraft experts, Baden-Powell rewrote his manual as a nonmilitary skill book, which he titled Scouting for Boys. The book rapidly gained a wide readership in England and soon became popular in the United States. In 1907, when Baden-Powell held the first campout for Scouts on Brownsea Island off the coast of England, Troops were spontaneously springing up in America.
Worldwide Principles and Practices
From its beginning on Brownsea Island, the Scouting idea spread around the world until it became what it is now the largest voluntary youth movement in the world, with a membership totaling more than 25 million in 185 of the world's 192 independent countries. Although there might be some differences in program administration, the entire movement adheres to these fundamental principles:
- Respect for individual beliefs
- Loyalty to one's country and respect for its laws
- Strength of world friendship and Scouting brotherhood
- Service to others
- Community development
- Universal regard for the Scout Promise and Law as a life guide
- Voluntary membership
- Service by volunteer leaders
- Independence from political influence and control
- Training youth in responsible citizenship, physical and mental development, and character guidance through use of the patrol system, group activity, recognition through awards, and learning by doing
- Outdoor program orientation
These acts and symbols of Scouting are familiar all over the world:
- Scout Promise and Law
- Design of badge basic trefoil
- "Be Prepared" motto
- Universal three-finger Scout Sign, a sign of personal honor
- Scout left handclasp
- Use of the Patrol System
- Basic ideal of the Good Turn