Boys Scouts of America
The Mission of Boy Scouts
It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America
(BSA) to serve others by helping to instill values in young people, and
in other ways to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime
in achieving their full potential. The values we strive to instill are
found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law.
Boy Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Boy Scout Law
A Scout is:
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent
The Three Aims of Boy Scouts
To build character
To build self-reliance, self-discipline,
self-confidence and self-respect
To foster citizenship
To foster love of community,
country and world, along with a commitment of
service to others and an understanding
of democratic principles.
To develop fitness
To develop physical, mental,
emotional, and moral fitness that will
stay with a Scout for the rest
of his life.
The Eight Methods of Boy Scouts
Ideals
Each Scout commits himself to the personal
behavior guides and standards in the Scout
motto, the slogan, the Oath and the
Law
Patrols
Patrols give Scouts experience in teamwork,
democracy and leadership.
Outdoors
Scouting emphasizes outdoors activities
which foster an appreciation of nature and our
ecology. Along the way, Scouts practice
and learn new skills and develop confidence in
their own abilities to cope with obstacles.
Scouting is outing!
Advancement
The advancement program provides Scouts
with a ladder of skills to climb at his own pace.
On the way up, he has many opportunities
to learn and to be recognized for his
achievements.
Personal growth
All of the other methods contribute
to the personal growth of a Scout through experience.
The quest for growth is a method, too.
Adult association
Adult leaders, male and female, provide
an example to Scouts of the high character they
should strive for in their personal
growth.
Leadership development
Making boys get leadership experiences
is one of the most valuable things Scouting does.
Uniform
The uniform reminds a Scout of who he
is and what is expected of him. It identifies him as
part of a patrol, troop, council and
worldwide youth movement. He can take pride in being
a Scout, and in the achievements
shown on his uniform and sash. Even neighborhood
gangs recognize the importance of wearing
a uniform, their colors.
Famous Scouts
Since 1910, these principles have been taught
in an atmosphere of recreation and fun which allows young people to develop
self confidence, leadership and moral character. More and more men,
trained as Scouts, are taking their places in today's world as responsible
adult leaders. Men who earned badges as Scouts, sit on the Supreme Court
of the United States. Others hold important offices in our government,
business and industry. Most of the members of the present U.S. Congress
were Scouts. Of the 214 pilots and scientists selected as astronauts since
1959, more than 125 were Scouts or have been active in Scouting, as well
as most of the astronauts who have walked on the moon. The new Suns
head coach, Danny Ainge, is an Eagle Scout. The long list of famous
Scouts includes:
President John F. Kennedy
Boy Scout
President Gerald Ford
Eagle Scout
J. Willard Marriott, Jr.
President of Marriott Corporation
Eagle Scout
Sam M. Walton
Chairman/CEO, Wal-Mart
Eagle Scout
Neil A. Armstrong
First person to set foot on the Moon
Eagle Scout
Steven Spielberg
Director, Producer
Eagle Scout
William C. Devries, M.D.
Transplanted first artificial heart
Eagle Scout
Barber B. Conable, Jr.
President, World Bank
Eagle Scout