The Building Blocks of Scouting
Welcome Parents to the Troop 14 Family
For almost 100 years, Scouting programs have instilled in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Today, these values are just as relevant in helping youth grow to their full potential as they were in 1910. Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives.
The Boy Scouts of America provides youth with programs and activities that allow them to
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Try new things.
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Provide service to others.
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Build self-confidence.
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Reinforce ethical standards.
While various activities and youth groups teach basic skills and promote teamwork, Scouting goes beyond that and encourages youth to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community.
Scouting provides youth with a sense that they are important as individuals. It is communicated to them that those in the Scouting family care about what happens to them, regardless of whether a game is won or lost.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, peer pressure can be resisted and the right choices can be made.
Scouting is based on life skills education, leadership development, citizenship, and values training.
Its unique methods of program presentation are designed to help build youth with strong character who are physically fit and prepared to be good citizens.
Advancement
The Boy Scouts of America provides recognition for Scout achievements. The advancement program allows Scouts to progress from rank to rank.
Community Organizations and Scouting Councils
Scouting teaches skills that help youth develop into quality citizens. Organizations that are interested in nurturing youth for the betterment of the community will find Scouting to be a positive form of community outreach.
Personal Growth
Scout-age boys experience dramatic physical and emotional growth. Scouting offers them opportunities to channel much of that change into productive endeavors and to find the answers to many of their questions.
Leadership
Boy Scouts is a boy-led, boy-run organization, but the boys must be trained to be leaders. One of the Scoutmaster's most important responsibilities...
The Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow serves as Scouting's National Honor Society. More than 176,000 members strong, the Order recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives
The Outdoors
Scouting provides many opportunities for young men ages 11 through 17 to help plan and participate in rugged outdoor adventures. From day hikes to camporees and summer camp, the troop plans activities that match the interests and abilities of the Scouts
The Patrol Method
Patrols are the building blocks of a Boy Scout troop. A patrol is a small group of boys who are similar in age, development, and interests. Working together as a team, patrol members share the responsibility for the patrol's success.
Scouting's Values
Scouting is a values-based program with its own code of conduct. The Scout Oath and Law help instill the values of good conduct, respect for...
Scouts with Special Needs
The basic premise of Scouting for youth with special needs is that every boy wants to participate fully and be respected like every other member of the troop. While there are, by necessity, troops exclusively composed of Scouts with disabilities, experience has shown that Scouting usually succeeds best when every boy is part of a patrol in a regular troop
Protecting Our Youth
Youth Protection Information
The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs.
Guide to Safe Scouting
The purpose of the Guide to Safe Scouting is to prepare members of the Boy Scouts of America to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner. The policies and guidelines have been established because of the real need to protect members from known hazards that have been identified through 100 years of experience. Limitations on certain activities should not be viewed as stumbling blocks; rather, policies and guidelines are best described as stepping-stones toward safe and enjoyable adventures.
All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting and be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Boy Scouts of America policies and guidelines. The Guide to Safe Scouting provides an overview of Scouting policies and procedures rather than comprehensive, standalone documentation. For some items, the policy statements are complete. Unit leaders are expected to review the additional reference material cited prior to conducting such activities.
In situations not specifically covered in this guide, activity planners should evaluate the risk or potential risk of harm, and respond with action plans based on common sense, community standards, the Boy Scout motto, and safety policies and practices commonly prescribed for the activity by experienced providers and practitioners.
Viewing the online Guide
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