The National Council is supported largely through annual registration fees paid by all members, charter and service fees paid by local councils, an Annual Giving Campaign among national employees and selected volunteers, income from the sales of Boys' Life and Scouting magazines and Scouting equipment, bequests, and special gifts. Local councils are supported by communities through an annual Friends of Scouting campaign, the United Way, special events, foundation grants, investment income, bequests, endowment gifts, and special contributions.

On the unit level, chartered organizations that use the Scouting program provide meeting places and often furnish program materials and other facilities. Youth members help to pay their own way by paying dues to their pack, troop, team, ship, or crew treasuries, and through approved money-earning projects, they can earn additional income for their units.

The Boy Scouts of America publishes two magazines: 94-year-old Boys' Life, produced monthly for 1.3 million subscribers in three demographic editions (LOW demographic edition goes to all Tiger Cubs and Cub Scout subscribers through age 8. MIDDLE demographic edition goes to all Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts 9 years and older and all adult Cub Scouting leaders who subscribe. HIGH demographic edition goes to all Boy Scout-age subscribers and all other subscribers); and 93-year-old Scouting, produced six times a year for all adults registered in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. In addition, unit leaders and commissioners receive special program inserts in Scouting.

The BSA publishes handbooks for all phases of the Scouting program, more than 100 merit badge pamphlets for Boy Scouts, leader books, training pamphlets, program helps booklets for unit leaders, and other literature for use by youth members, adult leaders, and parents.

The BSA has three national high-adventure areas, and all three are unique. The Northern Tier National High Adventure Program offers wilderness canoe expeditions and cold-weather camping; the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base offers aquatics programs in the Florida Keys; and Philmont Scout Ranch offers backpacking treks in the rugged high country of northern New Mexico. Volunteer leaders may attend the Philmont Training Center each summer for a weeklong training conference.

Cub Scouting is where it all begins. Ninety-five percent of all Boy Scouts participated in Cub Scouting at some time. Cub Scouting strengthens the family, encourages physical fitness, and teaches core values to live by through its program. A thrilling outdoor program starts in Cub Scouting with day camps, resident camps, council-organized camps, pack camping, and the fabulous make-believe themes of Cub World venues such as castles, frontier forts, pirate ships, and more.

Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers have many special activities available to them, such as camporees, summer camps, Scouting shows, and national jamborees.

The Order of the Arrow, Scouting's national honor society, recognizes those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. The order has local lodge, section, and national meetings. Scouts who have become Eagle Scouts, the highest advancement award in Scouting, may join the National Eagle Scout Association.

All Scout camps are inspected and accredited annually by teams of trained volunteers to ensure the health, safety, and quality of program for campers.

Scouting Anniversary celebrations, during February, include observance of the BSA's February 8 birthday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Sunday. Unit activities feature blue and gold banquets, courts of honor, and open house meetings.

Volunteer adult leaders serve at all levels of Scouting in more than 300 local councils, 28 areas, and four regions, and nationally with volunteer executive boards and committees providing guidance.

Each autonomous local council is chartered by the BSA, which provides program and training aids along the guidelines established by the National Executive Board and the national charter from Congress.

Chartered Organizations and the Boy Scouts of America

Purpose

That the purpose of this corporation shall be to promote, through organization and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods which are now in common use by Boy Scouts.

Sec. 3, federal charter, Boy Scouts of America
June 15, 1916, by the United States Congress

Charters

Two kinds of charters are issued by the Boy Scouts of America: one to community organizations and the other to BSA local councils. The first enables community groups to use the Scouting program under their own leadership as a service to their children, youth, and families. The other empowers local councils to help chartered organizations effectively use the Scouting program and to expand the use of the program to other community groups.

How Community Organizations Use the Scouting Program

Schools and community and religious organizations, with the help of the BSA, organize Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships for boys and young men and women. They manage these units and control the program of activities to support the goals and objectives of the chartered organizations. When community organizations establish a new unit, they must take these two important actions to ensure a quality Scouting program:

1. Selecting leadership. The head of the chartered organization appoints a chartered organization representative to provide leadership in the selection of a committee of adults that will provide overall supervision for the unit's program. The committee selects the adult unit leaders who will work with the youth. The chartered organization representative is also a voting member of the local council and may serve as a member of the district committee.
2. Providing a meeting place and promoting a good program. The chartered organization arranges for adequate meeting facilities for the unit and promotes through its committee the full use of the program, including outdoor experiences, advancement, recognitions, and, in particular, Scouting's values.

How the BSA Supports the Community Organization

To support approximately 124,000 Scouting units owned and operated by chartered organizations, more than 300 BSA councils provide professional counseling and administration, commissioner service, training for leaders, camping and outdoor facilities, program materials and literature, planning tools, and other program aids. Councils also maintain records on units and their membership, provide rank certificates and merit badge cards, and maintain service centers where badges, insignia, literature, and other helps can be obtained.

In addition, council representatives conduct annual charter review conferences with chartered organization personnel to evaluate how effectively the Scouting program is being delivered and how it might be improved.

A Sampling of Organizations That Support Children, Youth, and Families and the Program of the Boy Scouts of America

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY American Express AT&T AT&T Wireless BellSouth Corporation Best Buy Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation Centex Clear Channel Worldwide Dillard's Inc. Dole Food Company, Inc. Eastman Kodak Company Exxon Mobil Corporation Fannie Mae Fidelity National Financial General Electric Company Goodrich Corporation H.J. Heinz Company J.C. Penny Company, Inc. Kmart Corporation Lockheed Martin Corporation Nike, Inc. Radio Shack Corporation Reebok SBC Communications Sherwin Williams Southwest Airlines Co. Sprint The Kroger Company UPS Verizon Weyerhaeuser Whirlpool COMMUNITY Alpha Phi Alpha Alpha Phi Omega American Bar Association American Legion, The American National Red Cross AMVETS Boys and Girls Clubs of America Civil Air Patrol Civitan International Community Centers Conservation Clubs DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Eagles, Fraternal Order of (F.O.E.) Economic Opportunity Council Elks, Benevolent and Protective Order of (B.P.O.E.) Engineering Societies Farm Bureau Federation, American Fire Chiefs, International Association of (I.A.F.C.) 4-H Grange Hospitals, Medical and Professional Tenant Housing Associations Indian Affairs, Association on American Indian Tribal Councils Izaak Walton League of America Jaycees, United States Kiwanis International Knights of Pythias, Fraternal Order of Lions Clubs International Marine Corps League Masonic Order of the Eastern Star, Universal Military Order of the World Wars Moose International Inc. National Exchange Club National Future Farmers of America Organization Neighborhood Associations Odd Fellows, Independent Order of Optimist International Parents Without Partners Power Squadrons Rotary International Roundtable International Ruritan National Sertoma International Sons of the American Revolution Steuben Society of America U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) Women's Clubs YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) YMHA (Young Men's Hebrew Association) YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association)

EDUCATION Christian Schools Home School Associations Independent Schools, National Association of Jewish Day Schools Masjids Parochial Schools Private Schools LABOR AFL-CIO affiliates (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) Education Association, National Fire Fighters, International Association of Letter Carriers of the U.S.A., National Association of Postal Workers Union, American Teachers, American Federation of United Auto Workers United Mine Workers RELIGIOUS African Methodist Episcopal Church African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Anglican Church Armenian Apostolic Church of North America Assemblies of God Church Baha'i Faith Baptist Churches American Baptist Association American Baptist Churches in the USA General Association of General Baptists Primitive Baptist Baptist Conventions American Baptist Churches in the USA National Association of Free Will Baptists National Baptist Convention of America National Baptist Convention USA Inc. Original Free Will Baptists Progressive National Baptist Convention Inc. Southern Baptist Convention B'nai B'rith Buddhist Churches of America Byzantine Rite Catholic Church Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Organizations Catholic Parent Organization, National Forum of Catholic War Veterans of the U.S.A. Holy Name Society, National Association of the (Roman Catholic) Knights of Columbus National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, Inc. Serra International Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Christian and Missionary Alliance Church Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Church of Christ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Church of God Community of Christ Congregational Church Cumberland Presbyterian Church Episcopal Church Evangelical Churches Federation of Islamic Associations in the U.S. and Canada First Church of Christ, Scientist Greek Orthodox Islamic Centers Jewish Synagogues and Centers Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. Lutheran Churches Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Mennonite Church Methodist Church, United Moravian Church in North America Nazarene, Church of the Orthodox Churches Pentecostal Churches Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Reformed Church in America Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Salvation Army, The Seventh Day Adventists United Church of Christ

The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America — incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916 — is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.

What Is Venturing?

Program

Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age.

Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.

Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens.

Venturing Oath

As a Venturer, I promise to do my duty to God and help strengthen America, to help others, and to seek truth, fairness, and adventure in our world.

Venturing Code

As a Venturer, I believe that America's strength lies in our trust in God and in the courage, strength, and traditions of our people. I will, therefore, be faithful in my religious duties and will maintain a personal sense of honor in my own life. I will treasure my American heritage and will do all I can to preserve and enrich it. I will recognize the dignity and worth of all humanity and will use fair play and goodwill in my daily life. I will acquire the Venturing attitude that seeks truth in all things and adventure on the frontiers of our changing world.

Goals

Young adults involved in Venturing will

• Learn to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values in the Venturing Oath and Code
• Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure
• Become a skilled training and program resource for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and other groups
• Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, religious life, or Sea Scouting
• Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles
• Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment

Methods

The methods of Venturing have been carefully chosen to meet the needs of young adults.

Leadership. All Venturers are given opportunities to learn and apply proven leadership skills. A Venturing crew is led by elected crew officers. The Venturing Leadership Skills Course is designed for all Venturers and helps teach in an active way to effectively lead.

Group Activities. Venturing activities are interdependent group experiences in which success is dependent on the cooperation of all. Learning by doing in a group setting provides opportunities for developing new skills.

Adult Association. The youth officers lead the crew. The officers and activity chairs work closely with adult Advisors and other adult leaders in a spirit of partnership. The adults serve in a "shadow" leader capacity.

Recognition. Recognition comes through the Venturing advancement program and through the acknowledgement of a youth's competence and ability by peers and adults.

The Ideals. Venturers are expected to know and live by the Venturing Oath and Code. They promise to be faithful in religious duties, treasure their American heritage, to help others, and to seek truth and fairness.

High Adventure. Venturing's emphasis on high adventure helps provide team-building opportunities, new meaningful experiences, practical leadership application, and lifelong memories to young adults.

Teaching Others. All of the Venturing awards require Venturers to teach what they have learned to others. When they teach others often, Venturers are better able to retain the skill or knowledge they taught, they gain confidence in their ability to speak and relate to others, and they acquire skills that can benefit them for the rest of their lives as a hobby or occupation.

Ethics in Action

An important goal of Venturing is to help young adults be responsible and caring people, both now and in the future. Venturing uses "ethical controversies" to help young adults develop the ability to make responsible choices that reflect their concern for what is a risk and how it will affect others involved. Because an ethical controversy is a problem-solving situation, leaders expect young adults to employ empathy, invention, and selection when they think through their position and work toward a solution of an ethical controversy.

Crew Activities

What a Venturing crew does is limited only by the imagination and involvement of the adult and youth leaders and members of the crew — sail the Caribbean, produce a play, climb a mountain, teach disabled people to swim, or attend the Olympics. All these adventures and more are being done today by Venturing crews and ships across the country. All that is needed are concerned adults who are willing to share a little bit of themselves with today's youth — tomorrow's leaders.

Starting a New Venturing Crew

Organizing a Venturing crew is easy to do. Just follow these steps:

1. A survey is conducted annually in community high schools to determine students' recreational, hobby, and avocation interests.
2. A meeting is called of key people within an organization, with a Scouting representative in attendance. The representative explains the Venturing program, describes the key volunteer leader positions, and plans the recruiting of adult leaders.
3. The crew committee and Advisors are recruited and meet with the Scouting representative. Responsibilities of adult leaders are explained. The Scouting representative also discusses program ideas and helps develop a one-year program. The crew's one-year program is reviewed and adopted.
4. The organization's top executive writes a personal letter to each young adult selected from the survey, or identified through other recruitment efforts, and invites the youth and their parents to attend an organizational meeting. This letter is followed by a personal phone invitation from a member of the organization to each prospective youth.
5. The first meeting is held, involving young adults, the adult committee, and selected consultants. Adult Advisors share the program plans with the new Venturers (youth) and discuss member involvement and leadership roles through the election of youth officers.

What Youth Want

Research has revealed these major points:

• High school students have many vocational and avocational interests.
• Teenagers want a broader experience that provides practical "hands-on" experience and is tailored to their cultural backgrounds.
• Teenagers want to belong to a group that provides a secure, supportive place from which to address the youth development issues that affect them. These issues include experimentation, moving from dependence to interdependence, social relationships, psychological changes and sexual maturity, and a re-evaluation of values.

Program Support

The Venturing Division has designed literature, audiovisuals, training, activities, and awards to support Venturing crews and ships.

Literature and Audiovisuals. A variety of books, pamphlets, and videos have been developed to assist with organization, program, leadership, and activities. In particular, the Venturing Leader Manual will support leadership and planning.

Training. Venturing Leader Specific Training (for Adults), Venturing Leadership Skills Course (for youth), and monthly roundtables will be available to improve and enrich Venturing crew programs. A weeklong high-adventure skills course for Venturing Advisors called Powder Horn is available annually. The weeklong or two-weekend Kodiak Leadership course is available from host councils across the country to teach experience-based leadership skills.

Advancement Awards. A variety of awards are available to Venturers who accomplish specific advancement achievements. These awards include:

Venturing Bronze Awards Venturing Gold Award Venturing Silver Award

Venturing Ranger Award Sea Scouting Quartermaster Award Venturing Quest Award

Recognition Awards. Those awards that are designed to provide recognition for youth and adults include:

• Venturing Leadership Award
• Venturing Advisor Award of Merit

Uniforms. The BSA Supply Division offers the traditional spruce-green uniform shirt for Venturers. It is recommended that crews adopt a charcoal gray casual pant and/or backpacking-style short for their uniform. However, each crew may determine what, if any, specific uniform pants or shorts they will wear based on crew activities.

BSA Councils. Venturing crews and ships are supported by local BSA councils, which provide staff and volunteer support, operate service centers and camps, and conduct training and activities.

Liability Insurance. The Boy Scouts of America has liability insurance that covers leaders and organizations to which Venturing crews and shops are chartered. Accident and medical coverage are not included but are available through local BSA councils at a modest cost.

For additional information and support on organizing a new Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship, contact your local Boy Scouts of America service center or the Venturing Division at the national office, Boy Scouts of America.

Varsity Scouting

Purpose

Varsity Scouting is a program for young men who are at least 14 years of age but not yet 18. It provides options for young men who are looking for rugged high adventure or challenging sporting activities and still want to be a part of a Scouting program that offers the advancement and values of the Boy Scouts of America.

Organization

Varsity Scouts are members of a Varsity Scout team chartered to a community organization, such as a church or service club. It is led by a youth Varsity Scout team captain and an adult leader called a Varsity team Coach. The Coach is supported by an adult committee, made up of parents and members of the chartered organization. It is a stand-alone unit, chartered independently of a Scout troop, but the chartering procedure is essentially the same.

The team may be divided into squads, and each squad elects a youth squad leader.

Program

Varsity Scouting has five fields of emphasis. A youth member, called a program manager, is responsible for each of the five fields of emphasis and works with an adult member called a program adviser from the team committee to coordinate each phase of the program. The five fields of emphasis are:

Advancement. Varsity Scouts use the same advancement program as Boy Scouts. They can also receive the recognitions offered through such programs as the Fifty-Miler Award; Mile Swim, BSA; etc.

High Adventure/Sports. This program field of emphasis includes high adventure and sports and is supported by 27 program features.

Personal Development. Varsity Scouting promotes growth through spirituality, leadership abilities, citizenship, social and cultural attributes, and physical fitness.

Service. The emphasis is on service, until it becomes a constant ingredient in one's daily experience. Projects are conceived, planned, managed, and carried out by individual Varsity Scouts and/or the Varsity Scout team.

Special Programs and Events. Varsity Scouts take an active part in special programs and events on district, council, regional, and national levels.

Varsity Scout Letter

The Varsity letter may be earned by youth and adult members. The youth requirements are:

1. Be a registered Varsity Scout team member.
2. While a team member, actively participate in or accomplish at least one high-adventure program or sports program to the satisfaction of your Varsity Scout Coach.
3. Have an attendance record at team meetings and practice sessions of at least 75 percent for three consecutive months.
4. Satisfy the Varsity Scout Coach that you know and live by the Scout Oath and Law.

At the completion of each sports season or ultimate adventure, each participating Varsity Scout will receive a medallion to wear on the letter.

Denali Award

The Denali Award is available only to a Varsity Scout team's youth members who have already earned the Varsity Scout letter. Denali is the name American Indians gave Mount McKinley, in central Alaska. The requirements for the award are:

1. Be a registered Varsity Scout team member.
2. Advance one rank toward Eagle. If you are already an Eagle Scout, earn a Palm.
3. Hold leadership positions in a Varsity Scout team for at least six months.
4. a) While serving as team captain or a program manager, act as primary leader on at least two activities. Program managers should choose activities in their field of emphasis. Team captains may be primary leaders of activities in any of the five fields of emphasis.
   b) While serving as a program manager or team captain, demonstrate shared leadership skills by participating in supportive roles in activities in each of the three remaining fields of emphasis.
5. Satisfy the team captain that you know and live by the Varsity Scout Pledge.
6. Complete a progress review.

Uniforms

The traditional Boy Scout uniform with a "Varsity" identification strip above the right pocket and with blaze shoulder loops is worn for formal occasions. Many teams design their own T-shirt for outdoor activities.

Scout Oath

Varsity Scouts will use the Scout Oath.

Resources

Program Features. Three volumes of program features support the high-adventure/sports program field of emphasis.

Each program feature contains resource materials that will prepare a team for an ultimate adventure or sports season. The high-adventure subjects are backpacking, canoe camping, caving, cycling, discover America, fishing, freestyle biking, frontiersman, mechanics, orienteering, rock climbing and rappelling, snow camping, survival, and whitewater canoeing. Each feature contains approximately three months of program.

The sports program features contain basic rules, techniques, and strategies for basketball, bowling, cross-country skiing, roller hockey, shooting sports, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, and waterskiing.

Varsity Scout Guidebook. The Varsity Scout Guidebook is used by adult leaders and youth in Varsity Scouting.

Boy Scout Handbook. The Boy Scout Handbook contains information devoted to Varsity Scouts and supporting the Varsity Scout program.

Troop/Team Record Book. The Troop/Team Record Book is used to record member information, rank advancement, and financial record keeping.

Varsity Scout Leader Fast Start. The Varsity Scout Leader Fast Start video supports the orientation of new Varsity Scout leaders.

Varsity Scout Leader Fundamentals. This is a three-part training program for training adult Varsity Scout leaders.

Varsity Scout Roundtable Planning Guide. The Varsity Scout Roundtable Planning Guide supports the programs outlined in the program features.

What Is Boy Scouting?

ADVANCEMENT RANKS
Tenderfoot Second Class First Class Star Life Eagle

Purpose of the BSA

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.

Specifically, the BSA endeavors 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.

Boy Scout Program Membership

Boy Scouting, one of the traditional membership divisions of the BSA, is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 years old, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. The program achieves the BSA's objectives of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness qualities among youth by focusing on a vigorous program of outdoor activities.

Boy Scout program membership, as of December 31, 2004, is

988,995	Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts
543,487	adult volunteers
52,131	troops/teams

Volunteer Scouters

Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Boy Scouting program. They serve in a variety of jobs — everything from unit leaders to chairmen of troop committees, committee members, merit badge counselors, and chartered organization representatives.

Like other phases of the program, Boy Scouting is made available to community organizations having similar interests and goals. Chartered organizations include professional organizations; governmental bodies; and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. Each organization appoints one of its members as the chartered organization representative. The organization is responsible for leadership, the meeting place, and support for troop activities.

Who Pays for It?

Several groups are responsible for supporting Boy Scouting: the boy and his parents, the troop, the chartered organization, and the community. Boys are encouraged to earn money whenever possible to pay their own expenses, and they also contribute dues to their troop treasuries to pay for budgeted items. Troops obtain additional income by working on approved money-earning projects. The community, including parents, supports Scouting through the United Way, Friends of Scouting campaigns, bequests, and special contributions to the BSA local council. This income provides leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional service for units.

Aims and Methods of the Scouting Program

The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.

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.

Outdoor Activities

Local councils operate and maintain Scout camps. The National Council operates high-adventure areas at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, the Northern Tier National High Adventure Program in Minnesota and Canada, and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys. About 70 councils also operate high-adventure programs.

The BSA conducts a national Scout jamboree every four years and participates in world Scout jamborees (also held at four-year intervals). Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, was the site of the 2001 National Scout Jamboree.

The Beginning of Scouting

Scouting, as known to millions of youth and adults, evolved during the early 1900s through the efforts of several men dedicated to bettering youth. These pioneers of the program conceived outdoor activities that developed skills in young boys and gave them a sense of enjoyment, fellowship, and a code of conduct for everyday living.

In this country and abroad at the turn of the century, it was thought that children needed certain kinds of education that the schools couldn't or didn't provide. This led to the formation of a variety of youth groups, many with the word "Scout" in their names. For example, Ernest Thompson Seton, an American naturalist, artist, writer, and lecturer, originated a group called the Woodcraft Indians and in 1902 wrote a guidebook for boys in his organization called the Birch Bark Roll. Meanwhile in Britain, Robert Baden-Powell, after returning to his country 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 Seton, America's Daniel Carter Beard, and other 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.

William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher, incorporated the Boy Scouts of America in 1910 after meeting with Baden-Powell. (Boyce was inspired to meet with the British founder by an unknown Scout who led him out of a dense London fog and refused to take a tip for doing a Good Turn.) Immediately after its incorporation, the BSA was assisted by officers of the YMCA in organizing a task force to help community organizations start and maintain a high-quality Scouting program. Those efforts climaxed in the organization of the nation's first Scout camp at Lake George, New York, directed by Ernest Thompson Seton. Beard, who had established another youth group, the Sons of Daniel Boone (which he later merged with the BSA), provided assistance. Also on hand for this historic event was James E. West, a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who later would become the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. Seton became the first volunteer national Chief Scout, and Beard, the first national Scout commissioner.

Publications

The BSA publishes the Boy Scout Handbook (more than 37.8 million copies of which have been printed); the Patrol Leader Handbook, which offers information relevant to boy leadership; the Scoutmaster Handbook; more than 100 merit badge pamphlets dealing with hobbies, vocations, and advanced Scoutcraft; and program features and various kinds of training, administrative, and organizational manuals for adult volunteer leaders and Boy Scouts. In addition, the BSA publishes Boys' Life magazine, the national magazine for all boys (magazine circulation is more than 1.3 million) and Scouting magazine for volunteers, which has a circulation of over 1.1 million.

Conservation

Conservation activities supplement the program of Boy Scout advancement, summer camp, and outdoor activities and teach young people to better understand their interdependence with the environment.

Scout Law

TRUSTWORTHY

A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.

LOYAL

A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.

HELPFUL

A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.

FRIENDLY

A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.

COURTEOUS

A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.

KIND

A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.

OBEDIENT

A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.

CHEERFUL

A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

THRIFTY

A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

BRAVE

A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.

CLEAN

A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.

REVERENT

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Scout Oath (or Promise)

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.

Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Scout Slogan

Do a Good Turn Daily