Since 1910, Scouting has helped mold the future leaders of this country
by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The
Boy Scouts of America believes, and through nearly a century of
experience, understands that helping youth puts us on a path towards a
conscientious, responsible, and productive society.
Scouting, with programs from Cub Scouting through Venturing for
young men and women helps meet these six essential needs of the young people
growing up in our society:
Young people need mentors. Positive relationships with adults—community
and religious leaders and of course, parents—provide youth with good
role models and have a powerful impact on their lives. Young people of
every age can benefit from constructive, one-on-one interaction with
adults beyond their own families. Scouting provides such adults. We
have a process that screens, selects and trains the leaders who can
provide that extra attention all young people need to succeed in life.
People need to learn all through their lives. We live in a society that
rewards continual acquisition of skills and knowledge. Scouting provides
structured settings where young people can learn new skills and develop
habits of continual learning that will help them succeed. Scouting, from
its foundation in Tiger Cubs through the Venturing program for young men
and women, offers a concrete program of discovering, sharing and
applying knowledge and skills.
Young people need faith. There is abundant evidence that children
benefit from the moral compass provided by religious
tradition. We acknowledge that faith can become an important part of a
child's identity. Each of the major faiths breeds hope, optimism,
compassion, and a belief in a better tomorrow. Scouting encourages each
young person to begin a spiritual journey through the practice of his
or her faith tradition. One of the key tenets of
Scouting is "duty to God". While Scouting does not define religious
belief for its members, it has been adopted by and works with youth
programs of all major faiths.
Young people need to serve. The level of community service is a good
indication of the health of any society. Scouting has, from its
inception, been deeply rooted in the concept of doing for others. "Do a
Good Turn Daily" is a core Scouting precept. Scouting encourages boys
recognize the needs of others and take action accordingly. Scouting
works through neighborhoods, volunteer organizations, and faith-based
organizations to help young people appreciate and respond to
the needs of others.
Young people need to be well. To get the most from life, one must be
both mentally and physically fit. A commitment to the vigorous life has
been reflected in Scouting's outdoor living skills: fitness
stem from the very beginnings of the program. Scouting programs have
long included challenging physical activities such as hiking, swimming
and lifesaving as a part of the curriculum. First aid and safety
programs are synonymous with Scouting. Our programs today include
drug abuse awareness and prevention programs, emphasizing the value of
healthy living habits.
Young people need to know to be good and to do good. Few will argue with
the importance of teaching values and responsibility to our children‹not
only right from wrong, but specific, affirmative values such as
fairness, courage, honor, and respect for others. Beginning with the
Scout Oath and Scout Law, the Boy Scouts of America program is infused
with character-building activities that allow youth to apply abstract
principles to daily living situations.