The Aims of Scouting The Ideals of Scouting 1. Character Development: Vision growth in moral strength and Why Scouting? The Boy Scouts of America will prepare ethical behavior. every eligible youth in America 2. Physical, mental, and to become a responsible, participating emotional fitness. citizen and leader who is guided by the 3. Leadership development and Scout Oath and Law. experience. 4. Skills acquisition and Scout Oath development. On my honor I will do my best 5. Identity: being part of a group; To do my duty to God and my country contributing to a worthy cause; and to obey the Scout Law; fellowship. To help other people at all times; 6. Participation Citizenship: To keep myself physically strong, world, country, town, mentally awake, and morally straight. community, and service to others. Scout Law A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly Mission of the Westchester- Courteous, Kind, Obedient How the Scouting Putnam Council Cheerful, Thrifty, Program Benefits The mission of the Westchester- Brave, Clean, Reverent Putnam Council, Boy Scouts of Your Children & America to deliver the highest- Scout Motto Family quality, values-based youth Be Prepared program of character development and leadership training, based Scout Slogan upon the precepts embodied in the Do a Good Turn Daily Scout Oath and Law, and to prepare our young people to make Westchester-Putnam Council ethical decisions in order to reach Westchester-Putnam Council, BSA Boy Scouts of America their full potential and to better 41 Saw Mill River Road Serving the Communities of serve their family, community and Hawthorne, NY 10532 Westchester and Putnam Counties (914) 773-1135 country. www.wpcbsa.org [email protected] THE METHODS OF SCOUTING AND HOW THEY WORK

Living the Ideals: The ideals of Scouting Advancement: Scouting provides a are embodied in the Scout Oath, Law, series of challenges and steps in Skill Development: Undertaking Motto and Slogan. The Scout conducts succeeding through skill and rank individual and group projects and programs help introduce Scouts to himself with these in mind and advancement. The Scout manages practical and life skills and help continually seeks to improve by act and their own progress with supportive develop competency and expertise in example. guidance as they meet each challenge. The Scout is recognized and awarded a wide variety of areas. Examples abound in Scouting through the Merit Patrols: The patrol method, embodied for their achievements which helps Badge program and group projects in Cub Scout Dens, Scout Patrols, them gain self-confidence. Advancement helps the Scout develop such as Eagle Scout projects and Unit Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships, and activities. Explorer Posts, gives Scouts the self-reliance and the ability to help others. experience of group affiliation and team Leadership Development: Scouting participation. It places responsibility on Adult Association: Scouts learn from encourages youth to learn and young shoulders and teaches Scouts its the example set by watching and practice leadership skills. Every Scout, acceptance. The patrol method allows participating with adults. Association at all age and program levels, has the Scouts to interact in small groups where with adults of high character can serve opportunity to participate in shared they can learn to relate, share and as positive role models and can make and individual leadership roles. contribute. a profound difference in their lives. Understanding the concepts and best practices of leadership helps guide the Outdoor Programs: Scouting is designed Personal Growth: As Scouts plan their Scout towards character development to participate in the outdoors. It is in activities and progress towards their and participating citizenship. this setting that Scouts share goals, they achieve personal growth. responsibilities and learn to live with Participation in a values-based Uniform: The uniform enables the one another. It is here that the skills and program encourages and enhances Scout to serve as a visible example activities practiced in meetings come personal development and builds and and force of good and creates a alive with purpose. The outdoors is the enhances positive character strengths positive image of youth in the setting for learning of ecology, for life. community. It helps reinforce the conservation and the management of Scout’s commitment to the aims and resources. Being close to nature helps Service to Others: The Good Turn ideals of Scouting and provides the Scouts gain an appreciation for God’s concept is a major component of Scout with identity with a world handiwork and mankind’s place in it. personal growth, where Scouts brotherhood of youth and adults participate as active community sharing the same high ideals. members contributing to programs and ideals larger than themselves. They develop empathy for others, social skills and an altruistic orientation to life.