What is Scouting?

For more than a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

The Scouting program is divided into three main sections, according to age; Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing.  Boy Scouts is the traditional Scouting experience for young men in the fifth grade through high school. Service, community engagement, and leadership development become increasingly important parts of the program as youth lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout. There are currently 855,000 Boy Scouts and 485,000 adult volunteers in the United States.

While there is guidance from experienced leaders, Boy Scouts take their own lead, exploring places they've never been as they dive into the rugged world of outdoor adventure. With a spirit of teamwork, they pack up their Scout gear and their sense of adventure, and dive into the learning and excitement that comes from being in the brotherhood of the Boy Scouts.

One of the objectives of Scouting is to teach boys leadership skills.  Therefore, scout troops are designed to be “boy led”.  This means that although there are adult leaders in the troop, their function is to guide and advise the senior boys.  The actual leadership is supposed to come from the older, more experienced boys.  

BSA at a glance

AIMS of Scouting:

1. Character Development
2. Citizenship Training
3. Personal Fitness
4. Leadership Development

Methods of accomplishing these:

1. Scouting Ideals
2. Patrols
3. Outdoors
4. Advancement
5. Personal Growth
6. Association with adults
7. Leadership Development
8. Uniform