Scouting

Mission Statement

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

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.

Scout Motto

Be Prepared.

Scout Slogan

Do a Good Turn Daily.

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Vision Statement

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

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.

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
Patrols
Outdoor Programs
Advancement
Associations With Adults
Personal Growth
Leadership Development
Uniform

The Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to

. Be clean in my outdoor manners,
. Be careful with fire,
. Be considerate in the outdoors, and
. Be conservation-minded.