STRENGTHENING YOUTH THROUGH SCOUTING ABOUT THE BSA WHY SCOUTING SCOUTING PROGRAMS COMMUNITY IMPACT GET INVOLVED

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Since 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has helped build the future leaders of this country, from country, build the future leaders of this Boy Scouts of America has helped Since 1910, the adult million youth members and 1 million with over 2.4 Today, astronauts to schoolteachers. youth organizations in the country. is one of the most influential volunteers, Scouting Success in life often comes down to making the best of any situation. Scouting hands youth situations, hands youth situation. Scouting the best of any down to making in life often comes Success own shelter in a shows them how to build their how to make the best of them. It and shows them through navigating the world afterward. Whether it’s will know how to build a solid life hailstorm so they a group through the or figuring out how to lead gathering food donations, of computer programming, of doing. youth realize what they’re truly capable and compass, Scouting helps woods with a map PREPARED. FOR LIFE. PREPARED. WHY SCOUTING BUILD AN ADVENTURE Scouts do stuff. They build things. Play with purpose. Make friends and work together. Set goals and achieve them. They go places. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. These life-changing experiences — and the confidence they provide — form a SCOUTING PROGRAMS foundation a Scout can stand on to embrace opportunity and overcome obstacles in life.

For the parents watching in awe, it’s not a question of where their Scout will go, but where won’t they go. Scouting helps BENEFITS OF SCOUTING parents make the most of the little time they have to impact the lives of their children. Scouting gives parents the gift of Scouting provides experiences that help prepare youth for their future. seeing their children reach their full potential by challenging Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, them in ways they may not otherwise experience. leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives. COMMUNITY IMPACT Scouting fosters the spirit of discovery for future innovators and leaders by investing in new and relevant programs such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). These programs also provide youth with a platform to learn important life skills that will help them combat major societal concerns.

Scouting provides youth with programs and activities that allow them the opportunity to:

TRY NEW THINGS GET INVOLVED PROVIDE SERVICE TO OTHERS

BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE REINFORCE ETHICAL DECISION MAKING SCOUTING PROGRAMS COMMUNITY IMPACT GET INVOLVED FITNESS LEADERSHIP WHAT IS AN WHAT EAGLE SCOUT? CHARACTER CITIZENSHIP WHILE OUR PROGRAMS ARE FUN AND EXCITING FUN AND ARE OUR PROGRAMS WHILE CENTERED LESSONS LIFE ALSO TEACH THEY FOR YOUTH, PILLARS OF SCOUTING: ON THE FOUR Scouting encourages youth to learn and grow by Scouting encourages youth to learn and The advancing through “ranks” in the organization. amount highest rank, Eagle Scout, requires an enormous An Eagle Scout of hard work, dedication, and leadership. has proven his character and leadership by making a and positive impact in his own life, his family, his community. VENTURING Venturing is a coed program for young adults ages 13 Venturing 20 that (and have completed the 8th grade) through growth, focuses on adventure, leadership, personal motto, “Lead the Adventure,” and service. Venturing’s in the spirit of to always pursue life reminds Venturers and adventure. There are currently 158,000 Venturers 58,000 adult volunteers in the United States. This is the traditional Scouting experience for young men This is the traditional Scouting experience community in fifth grade through high school. Service, become engagement, and leadership development as youth lead increasingly important parts of the program their own activities and work their way toward earning highest rank, Eagle Scout. There are currently Scouting’s 855,000 Boy Scouts and 485,000 adult volunteers in the United States. BOY SCOUTS

Cub Scouting is the foundation of our organization. And Cub Scouting is the foundation of our organization. fifth grades, while it is designed for boys in first through as parents this program really involves the whole family Scouting is pitch in to plan and deliver activities. Cub affirmative and fun focused. There are currently 1.3 million Cub Scouts and 395,000 adult volunteers in the United States.

CUB SCOUTS SCOUTING PROGRAMS SCOUTING Through time-tested programming, including character development and leadership training, the Boy Scouts of America prepares young COMMUNITY IMPACT WHY BECOME people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF SCOUTING. A CHARTERED instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Each Scouting unit is sponsored by a faith-based, civic, community, or educational organization. These chartered organizations help build Scouting in their communities by providing adequate meeting facilities, selecting quality leadership The Scouting program is administered throughout the nation and for each unit, and appointing a representative to coordinate all Scouting unit operations within the organization. More than ORGANIZATION? the world with the help of nearly 290 local councils. These councils 100,000 Scouting units across the country are operated by these chartered organizations. depend on community groups called chartered organizations to help build Scouting in their communities. DID YOU KNOW… Scouting provides a unique opportunity for chartered organizations WHO SPONSORS SCOUTING: 64% OF AIR FORCE ACADEMY GRADUATES WERE SCOUTS to bring stronger service to the community while offering fun and

adventure to their own youth and families. By working together, your GET INVOLVED OF ANNAPOLIS GRADUATES WERE SCOUTS 70% organization and Scouting can combine time and other resources 58% OF WEST POINT GRADUATES WERE SCOUTS that result in stronger, more confident children and more productive families and communities. A relationship with Scouting can also 72% OF RHODES SCHOLARS WERE SCOUTS help your organization to fulfill its mission and strengthen its 70% 22% 8% 85% OF FBI AGENTS WERE SCOUTS outreach efforts. FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS GET INVOLVED BEGIN BUILDING A FOUNDATION TODAY TODAY A FOUNDATION BEGIN BUILDING CHARTERED ORGANIZATION! BY BECOMING A SCOUTING MAKES A DIFFERENCE. SCOUTING Scouting provides young people opportunities for leadership, fitness, career exploration, outdoor opportunities for leadership, fitness, career exploration, Scouting provides young people would like to help you fun activities, and values for a lifetime. We adventure, positive life skills, more families. need to attract fulfill your organization’s

STEP 3 to become Scout leaders Find the right parents and adults Find the right parents and adults STEP 2 professional or volunteer Meet with your local Scouting STEP 1 Contact your BSA local council at Contact your BSA local council at www.scouting.org/localcouncillocator On my honor I will do my best to do my duty SCOUT OATH 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. BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, P.O. Box 152079 SCOUT LAW obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Irving, Texas 75015-2079 www.scouting.org

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to MISSION make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them 522-902 the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. 2015 Printing