Keys to a Successful Scouting Program

Scouting in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Steven B. Winterton Unit Commissioner Apalachee and Exploring & Venturing Districts Northeast Georgia Council, BSA

Commissioner’s Thesis Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For Commissioner Science Ph.D.

College of Commissioner Science Northeast Georgia Council, BSA

2 June 2008

Richard Reitz, Advisor

Intentionally left blank – For when Double Sided Printing

ADVISOR’S APPROVAL

This thesis has been reviewed for spelling and grammatical errors, content,

and conformity to Northeast Georgia Council College of Commissioner

Science guidelines for writing a thesis. All such errors have been corrected by

the candidate before submission to the Dean of the Commissioner Science

College’s Ph.D. program.

______Richard Reitz

______02 June 2008______Date of Approved

Intentionally left blank – For when Double Sided Printing

PREFACE PAGE

Reason for writing this thesis

Many individuals, both within and outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, do not understand the relationship between the Church and the Boy Scouts of

America (BSA). The intent of this thesis is to provide insight as to why The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints is such a strong supporter of scouting and how, if used appropriately, scouting enhances the Church’s youth programs.

This thesis will be more of an overview of the program rather than detailed instructions of how a leader should run a scouting program. It is recognized that every ward and branch has differences based on the size of the organization and the number of boys and young men ages 8-to-18. Thus, ward and branch leadership need to have a good understanding of both church youth and scouting programs to determine how best to meet the needs of their youth and accomplish the overall goals of both the Church and scouting.

For an effective program to be implemented the charter organization’s adult leaders will need to study and gain an understanding of each program. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has handbooks on both the religious and scouting programs. In addition, each leader should attend the necessary training to fully understand these programs to most effectively implement a successful and exciting blended youth program.

Groups that will benefit from reading this thesis

All church and scout leaders who associate with Latter-day Saint units will benefit from the information contained within this thesis. However, this thesis is specifically written for leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have a role with chartered units of the Boy Scouts of American in their wards and stakes. This would include chartered organization executive officers, charter organization representatives, Primary leaders, Cub Scout leaders, ward and stake Young Men leaders, Boy Scout leaders, Varsity

Scout leaders, Venturing leaders, and committee members.

Scope of this thesis

This thesis will cover a brief history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and BSA. The reasons why the Church has chosen to utilize the scouting program will be discussed with selected quotes from prominent Latter-day Saint leaders who support the program. How the Aaronic Priesthood, Duty to God and scouting programs are to be carried out for the young men ages 12-to-18 will be covered. Primary, Cub Scouting and

Faith in God are covered for the 8- to 11- year-old boys. There will be a section on some of the keys to carrying out a successful ward scouting program. Some of the differences between the Church’s scouting units and traditional scouting units will be covered. There will also be a section on pertinent publications and a listing of websites, with their contents, that can provide valuable resources that is designed to help with a unit’s program.

Table of Contents PREFACE PAGE ...... i Reason for writing this thesis ...... i Groups that will benefit from reading this thesis ...... ii Scope of this thesis ...... ii Introduction ...... 1 History of Scouting in the Church of Jesus Christ ...... 1 Why the Church of Jesus Christ chose to utilize the Scouting program ...... 3 Endorsement of Charles W. Dahlquist II, Young Men general president ...... 5 Statements by presidents of the Church related to scouting...... 9 President Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church (2008 - ) ...... 9 President Gordon B. Hinckley, Past president of the Church (1995 – 2008) ...... 11 Is scouting still necessary and relevant today? ...... 12 Aaronic Priesthood, Duty to God and Scouting ...... 14 How Scouting supports the Aaronic Priesthood ...... 18 Duty to God program and how it relates to Scouting ...... 23 Scouting and Aaronic Priesthood position duties and training requirements ...... 25 Venturing Advisor ...... 27 Associate Venturing Advisor ...... 29 Varsity Team Coach ...... 31 Assistant Varsity Team Coach ...... 33 Scoutmaster ...... 35 Assistant Scoutmaster ...... 37 Chartered Organization Representative ...... 39 Scout Troop/Team/Crew Committee ...... 41 Primary and Scouting ...... 43 Cub Scouts in Primary ...... 45 Eleven-year-old Scouts ...... 46 Faith in God program ...... 50 Primary scouting position duties and training requirements ...... 52 Eleven-Year-Old Scouts Leader/Assistant Scoutmaster ...... 53 Keys to a successful ward scouting program ...... 55 Key 1 – The boy or young man is more important than the program ...... 55 Key 2 – Bishopric support ...... 56 Key 3 – Quality leaders ...... 58 Key 4 – Functioning committees ...... 62 Key 5 – Parental involvement ...... 62 Key 6 – Boy led/run program ...... 63 Key 7 – One program, not three separate programs ...... 65 Key 8 – Monthly outings ...... 65 Key 9 – Activities planned with Aaronic Priesthood purpose ...... 66 Key 10 – Follow Guide to Safe Scouting and the Church safety guidelines...... 66 Differences between the Church of Jesus Christ scouting units and traditional scouting units. ... 67 Listing of Helpful Program Resources ...... 71 Publications...... 71 Web Resources ...... 72 Conclusion ...... 75 Bibliography ...... 76 Appendixes ...... 81 Appendix A - Statements by Church Leaders in Support of Scouting ...... 81 Appendix B - Church News Interview of Elder F. Melvin Hammond ...... 88 Appendix C - Aaronic Priesthood--Scouting Satellite Broadcast,...... 91 Bishop H. David Burton ...... 91 Charles W. Dahlquist II ...... 96 President Thomas S. Monson ...... 103

iii

Appendix D – Success Through Failure Article ...... 108 Appendix E – Complimentary Scouting Advancement / Duty to God Award Requirements . 109 Appendix F – Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth ...... 117 Appendix G – Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God (Deacon)...... 119 Appendix H – Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God (Teacher) ...... 121 Appendix I – Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God (Priest) ...... 123 Appendix J – Faith in God for Boys ...... 125 Appendix K – BSA at a Glance ...... 127 Appendix L – Boy Scouting Fact Sheet ...... 130 Appendix M – Varsity Scouting Fact Sheet ...... 135 Appendix N – Venturing Fact Sheet ...... 138 Appendix O – Cub Scouting Fact Sheet ...... 142 Appendix P – Welcome to the Aaronic Priesthood and Young Men ...... 147

Introduction The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a long standing relationship with the Boy Scouts of American that began in the early 1900s. The Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting,

Varsity Scouting and Venturing programs are a valuable resource for the youth programs of the church and when used properly mesh perfectly with the goals and the objective of it‘s youth programs. This paper will provide a brief history of scouting in The Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints and some insights on why the Church has chosen to use Boy Scouts of America programs. An overview of the Church‘s Primary and Aaronic Priesthood programs correlated with the BSA scouting program will be given. There also are some guidelines as to how a given ward may better use the programs.

It should be noted that any reference to ward would also include a branch and references to bishop or bishopric would include a branch president or branch presidency. Also, many times when the term ―Scouting‖ is used, it is to reference one or more of the BSA programs, which include Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting and Venturing; depending on its context.

History of Scouting in the Church of Jesus Christ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized in the United

States of American on April 6, 1830 in Manchester, New York. In June of 1875 the Young

Men‘s Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA) was organized by Junius F. Wells. This was done under the direction of President Brigham Young. He wanted a program that would provide spiritual and cultural activities for the young men of the church during their leisure time.

Scouting was introduced into the USA in 1910. In 1911 the YMMIA investigated the scouting movement to see what it could do for the young men of the church. The spiritual background and cultural ideals of scouting appealed to Latter-day Saint leaders and it was felt

that scouting would be an excellent program for the young men of the church. President Anthony

W. Ivins of the YMMIA general superintendency officially organized the Mutual Improvement

Association (MIA) scouts in the church. In May of 1913 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints formally affiliated itself with the scouting movement as it‘s first institutional sponsor.

YMMIA was scouting‘s sole sponsor till 1928 when it was designated as the activity program for deacons and teachers of the Aaronic Priesthood of the Church. In this year the vanguard movement was inaugurated for the older youth in the church. In the early 1950's, the

Exploring program of the BSA was adopted as an activity extension for the priest‘s quorum. This action fully synchronized scouting with the Aaronic Priesthood, so that there was scouting for the deacon's quorum, vanguard for the teacher‘s quorum and exploring for the priest‘s quorum.

Cub Scouting was officially adopted by the Church in May, 1952. Cub Scouting was placed under the Primary program which was responsible for all boys under the age of 12..

The Varsity Scout program was developed in 1972 and the Church affiliated the teacher‘s quorum with this program. BSA developed the Venturing program in the mid-1990‘s and the

Church adopted the Venturing program in place of the Exploring program for the priest‘s quorum.

Today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the largest sponsors of scouts and scout units in the USA.

At the national level the Church has had many of their high-level leaders involved on the

BSA national boards and committees to represent the Church‘s interests over the years. Thomas

S. Monson, current president of the Church has served on the national executive board of the

Boy Scouts of America since 1969. This gives him the longest term of any member of that board. The

Boy Scouts of America has awarded him the Silver Beaver (1971), and the Silver Buffalo

(1978), which is the highest honor bestowed by the BSA. In 1993 he received the Bronze Wolf, the highest honor bestowed by the World Organization of the scout movement.

Charles W. Dahlquist, II, current Young Men general president has served on the national executive board of the Boy Scouts of America since 2004 and on the western region board since

2004. On June 1, 2007 President Dahlquist was presented the Silver Buffalo Award at scouting's national annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. At this meeting it was also announced that he was appointed chairman of scouting's national Venturing committee. He is also the recipient of the

Silver Beaver (1985) and the Silver Antelope awards.

Why the Church of Jesus Christ chose to utilize the Scouting program

Bishop H. David Burton, presiding bishop, said the following in his address during the

Aaronic Priesthood satellite broadcast on Saturday, May 12, 2007.

―It is exciting to be a player in the quest to build faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in the

hearts and souls of our Father in Heaven's children. It is exciting to be part of a team that

supports and strengthens families. It is exciting to assist parents of young men as they

prepare them to magnify Aaronic Priesthood duties, receive the Melchizedek Priesthood,

serve missions, receive the blessings of the temple, and ultimately be successful fathers

and patriarchs. The Lord has reserved the best, brightest, most devoted and obedient

young men to come forward to carry out His purposes at this exciting and challenging

time. ―

The key here is that the Church wants to prepare it‘s young men ―to magnify Aaronic

Priesthood duties, receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, serve missions, receive the blessings of the temple, and ultimately be successful fathers and patriarchs.‖ The values of scouting squarely

support these goals. Each scouting program is all about helping build young men of character who believe in doing their best to god and country. For instance, the Cub Scout Promise is ―I, promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people and to obey the Law of the Pack.‖ These are the qualities of character desired for all Latter-day Saint youth.

Each of the values of the Scout Law; trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent exemplify the goals mentioned by Bishop

Burton. In addition, the Oath and Promise, ―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 time, To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight‖ also supports these values.

The Venturing Oath, ―As a Venturer, I promise to do my duty to God and help strengthen

American, to help others, and to seek truth, fairness and adventure in our world.‖, continues to fit with the goals mentioned by Bishop Burton.

The Church adopted scouting as part of the activity program for Aaronic Priesthood quorums then later adopted scouting for Primary age boys 8-to-11. Scouting programs have supported the youth programs of the Church and the Aaronic Priesthood by providing opportunities for boys and young men to put into practice the gospel lessons they learn in the home, church, and community

Following Primary, the Church continues to include programs of the Boy Scouts of America into its young men‘s program as these older youth learn to magnify their callings in the priesthood. Scouting helps these young men develop desirable character traits, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. The scouting program teaches young men how to rely on themselves, serve and lead others, prepare for emergencies, conserve natural resources, and become actively involved in community, school, and church service projects.

The Young Men general presidency emphasizes that scouting continues to play a strong role in fulfilling the Aaronic Priesthood objectives of preparing young men for full-time missions, temple blessings, and righteous manhood. The Church, and the Boy Scouts of America, have formed a strong and mutually beneficial partnership to teach and train its young men.

The Church has developed a statement on the Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. It is

―Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live it teachings. Serve faithfully in priesthood callings and fulfill the responsibilities of priesthood offices. Give meaningful service.

Prepare and live worthily to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances. Prepare to serve an honorable full-time mission. Obtain as much education as possible. Prepare to become a worth husband and father. Give proper respect to women, girls and children.― All these purposes fit perfectly with the values, skills and opportunities obtained in BSA scouting programs.

Endorsement of Charles W. Dahlquist II, Young Men general president on venturing and varsity scouts Since his appointment in 2004 as Young Men general president, President Dahlquist has

been a strong supporter of the Venturing and Varsity Scout programs as the activity program

for the priests and teachers in the Aaronic Priesthood, respectfully. Following are some

instructions he has given to Latter-day Saint leaders regarding the use of these programs.

―Now, brethren, one caution: as you apply the program of Scouting to

strengthen Aaronic Priesthood quorums, please do not overlook the benefits of

Varsity Scouting and Venturing in the teachers and priests quorums. At this age,

when young men should be increasing their focus on mission preparation, instead

they are often sidetracked by girls, cars, jobs, sports, and many other distractions--

-some good, some not. And often the only response is weekly basketball during mutual. That is not enough to help prepare them to become great missionaries, husbands, and fathers.‘

‗Varsity Scouting and Venturing are effective resources to help support the teachers and priests quorums of the church raise the bar for these great young men of the Aaronic Priesthood by teaching them timeless values, giving them opportunities to learn and apply leadership skills and develop spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially---all in a fun and enjoyable setting, planned by the young men themselves, with appropriate adult supervision.

All we have been talking about today helps us to fulfill the charge of President

Hinckley and Elder Ballard to prepare the greatest generation of missionaries this world has ever seen. I don't know any better way to do that than to fully apply all the tools that we have, including Aaronic Priesthood, Fulfilling Our Duty to God, and Scouting---Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing.‖ (Aaronic

Priesthood--Scouting Satellite Broadcast, Saturday, May 12, 2007)

―God bless each priests quorum adviser, Varsity coach, Scoutmaster, merit badge counselor, and all within the sound of my voice and beyond who realize the majesty that can be part of the activity program of the Aaronic Priesthood, if we apply the principles that caused the Brethren, in 1913, to enter into a partnership with the Boy Scouts of America for the strengthening of the Aaronic Priesthood.

There was inspiration in that decision, as there is inspiration in the decision to continue that decision today. And there must be inspiration in applying the principles of Scouting to strengthen and vitalize the quorums of the Aaronic

Priesthood and each young priesthood bearer today.‖ ("Let No Man Despise Thy

Youth" Young Men Open House, Spring 2006)

―I promise you that if the Scouting program in all age groups is alive and functioning, including the Varsity program for the teacher-age boys and the

Venturing program for the priests, it will make a difference in the quality of the experience your young men receive and their preparation for a mission.‖ (Fall

2005 Young Men Open House)

―In the United States and Canada, as you evaluate your Young Men activity program, be certain that you implement the Scouting program, including Varsity and Venturing. Scouting is the activity arm of the priesthood in these countries. It is very evident that in those stakes and wards where Scouting is used to strengthen the priesthood, the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood are much stronger and better prepared than they would otherwise have been.‖ (Aaronic

Priesthood/Young Men April 2005 General Conference Workshop Training)

―[Bishops] If you are in the United States or Canada, teach leaders the role of Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing in supporting the purposes of the

Aaronic Priesthood and helping the young men of the quorum become men of character and strength...

―In the United States and Canada, we have a wonderful partnership with the

Boy Scouts of America. Scouting in these countries provides a vital application phase of the learning process for our Aaronic Priesthood quorums. I have found an unexplained reluctance on the part of some priesthood leaders to implement fully Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing as the activity arm of their

quorums and to become trained themselves. Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone once said, ‘I do not believe that Varsity Scouting is on trial in the Church, nor is Boy

Scouting, Cub Scouting, or [Venturing]. But rather it is my firm belief that bishops, and the ward leaders, the advisers, Scoutmasters, coaches, and

[Venturing] advisers are on trial. The program will work if they will work and become trained and put into effect the things they have been trained to do.‘"

(personal letter to Thane J. Packer, Oct. 7, 1997, in Thane J. Packer, On My

Honor: A Guide to Scouting in the Church, [1998], 57). ("Strengthening and

Vitalizing Aaronic Priesthood Quorums" September 2004 Open House)

―The Church continues to follow the programs of the Boy Scouts of

America to help its young men 12 to 18 years of age as they magnify their callings in the priesthood. Scouting helps young men develop desirable character traits, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. The Scouting program teaches young men how to rely on themselves, serve and lead others, prepare for emergencies, conserve natural resources, and become actively involved in community, school, and Church service projects.

―The Young Men general presidency emphasizes that Scouting continues to play a strong role in fulfilling the Aaronic Priesthood objectives of preparing young men for full-time missions, temple blessings, and righteous manhood...

For boys and young men ages 8 to 18 in the United States, the Church endorses affiliation with BSA Cub Scout packs, Scout troops, Varsity teams, and

Venturing crews.― ()

As can be seen from the above quotes there is no doubt that Scouting is important to The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The program is of such importance that each summer at the Philmont Training Center in Cimarron, New Mexico the Church has two weekly training sessions where stake leaders are trained and then tasked to go back and train their ward and branch leaders in how to carry out an effective Primary and Aaronic

Priesthood program for their youth by utilizing scouting programs.

Statements by presidents of the Church related to scouting Just to re-iterate how important scouting is in the Church, below are some selected quotes from Latter-day Saint leaders. These quotes were taken from the Church website at:

http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,5171-1,00.html

Additional quotes may be found in Appendix A.

President Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church (2008 - )

 "Youth need fewer critics and more models. One wise builder of faith

counseled, 'It does not pay to scold. I believe you can get people to do anything, if

you can get them to do it at all, by loving them into doing it.' . . .

"We are builders of boys and menders of men. In doing so, we remember that

the greatest verb in the vocabulary is to love; the second is to help.‘

"It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to

instill values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical

choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential.‘

"I commend you leaders of boys, for you demonstrate by your lives that the

greatest gift a man can give a boy is his 'willingness to share a part of his life with

him' " (Church News, June 7, 2003, 4).

 "My appreciation for the Scouting program is deep. Scouting molds character.

. . . I think it's a marvelous organization" (Rededication of the Boy Scout Service

Center, South Ogden, Utah, June 3, 2003).

 "In this world where some misguided men and women strive to tear down and

destroy great movements such as Scouting, I am pleased to stand firm for an

organization that teaches duty to God and country, that embraces the Scout Law.

Yes, an organization whose motto is 'Be prepared' and whose slogan is 'Do a good

turn daily.'

"The Aaronic Priesthood prepares boys for manhood and the weightier duties

of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Scouting helps our boys to walk uprightly the

priesthood path to exaltation. . . . ‗

"To all the Aaronic Priesthood assembled tonight with your fathers and your

leaders, the priesthood program of the Church, with its accompanying activities,

including Scouting, will help and not hinder you as you journey through life"

(Ensign, Nov. 1993, 48–50).

 "Much has been said in the media of late regarding Scouting. Let me affirm

that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not diminished in any

way its support of the Scouting movement. . . .‘

"President Ezra Taft Benson described Scouting as a 'noble program,' saying,

'It is a builder of character, not only in the boys, but also in the men who provide

the leadership' ―( . . . So Shall Ye Reap [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co.], 1960,

p. 138).

 "Brethren, if ever there were a time when the principles of Scouting were

vitally needed—that time is now. If ever there were a generation who would

benefit by keeping physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight—that

generation is the present generation" (Ensign, Nov. 1991, 47).

 "Every boy blessed by Scouting learns in his youth far more than that

envisioned by Sir Tom of Warwick. He adopts the motto 'Be Prepared.' He

subscribes to the code 'Do a Good Turn Daily.' Scouting provides proficiency

badges to encourage skills and personal endeavor. Scouting teaches boys how to

live, not merely how to make a living. How pleased I am that The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1913 became the first partner to sponsor Scouting in

the United States" (Ensign, Nov. 1982, 20).

President Gordon B. Hinckley, Past president of the Church (1995 – 2008)

 "I love the Scouting movement. The promise of the Scout Oath and the twelve

points of the Scout Law point young men along the path of being prepared for the

21st century. They provide a solid and powerful magnetic force toward

development of a well-rounded and noteworthy character that counts. If every boy

in America knew and observed the Scout Oath, we would do away with most of

the jails and prisons in this country. If each of us would live up to those few

words, 'On my honor, I will do my best,' whether it be in school, whether it be in

our social life, whether it be in our business or professional life, if I will do my

very best, success and happiness will be mine" (Boy Scout Jamboral, Fillmore,

Utah, Sept. 27, 1996).

 "I am glad to be able to pay my respects to you who move the great Scouting

program along. We would not have the kind of gang problems we have if there

were more boys enrolled in Scouting, because the spirit of Scouting and the spirit

of gang life are contradictory one to another. This program builds boys, builds

their futures, leads them to the right path so they can make something of their

lives" (Scout-O-Rama breakfast, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 4, 1996).

Is scouting still necessary and relevant today?

Some may feel that scouting has out grown its‘ usefulness and pertinence in our society.

Why would young men need to learn to camp and do many of the other scout skills? When someone asked President Dahlquist this question he said the following:

―There has never been a greater need for the youth to acquire the timeless

values espoused and taught by Scouting than now. The war between good and evil is

raging now as never before. But it is not a war of tanks and guns but of words; of

media; of thoughts and feelings; of Internet, cell phones, and earphones; of drugs and

drinks that dull the mind and the souls of our youth. And if we as leaders are not

valiant, our youth will not be prepared for the challenges that await them.‘

―In years gone by, some youth were able to get by on raw talent and ability.

That is no longer the case. If our young men are not men of character and integrity, if

they have not learned to work hard and stand on their own two feet, if they have not

committed to be finishers in all they do and to make right choices, they will not have

sufficient to help them succeed, and they will be left by the wayside.‘

―There is one more thought I have had as I have pondered the value of

Scouting in the lives of our boys. We, as a society, are becoming a sedentary people, spending large portions of our lives inside---at desks, talking on telephones, text messaging, in meetings, in classrooms---and never thinking about or appreciating the beauties of nature that surround us. Our youth spend hour upon hour in front of television screens, computer monitors, and on cell phones, never thinking of the environment around them. Scouting takes us back to nature, teaches boys to appreciate, cherish, and learn to care for this grand and divine creation, in addition to learning the importance of physical fitness and caring for our physical bodies. That is central in Scouting, as he not only learns these lessons but commits to keep himself

"physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight." (Aaronic Priesthood--

Scouting Satellite Broadcast, Saturday, May 12th, 2007)

Aaronic Priesthood, Duty to God and Scouting

From the age of 12-to-18 young men belong to the Aaronic Priesthood program. At the age of 12 worthy young men are ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. Scouting has been designated as the activity arm of the priesthood and the Duty to God program also complements the program with more of a religious emphasis.

At times there has been a debate which is more important for the young men, Duty to

God or Scouting? In the Fall of 2006, Young Men general president Dahlquist related the following comment regarding the program for the young men:

―And yet, as vital as Scouting stands as part of the activity arm of the

priesthood, I am reminded of an experience Brother Allan Packer had while in

the New Orleans area following Hurricane Katrina. He was with several of the

Brethren when someone asked, ‗What is most important, Scouting or Duty to

God?‘ Elder M. Russell Ballard said, ‗I can answer that—it‘s the priesthood.‘

And so it is. All that we do in the kingdom must be to help these great young

men of the Aaronic Priesthood to come unto Christ, to learn of the majesty of

the priesthood they bear, and to learn how, by magnifying their priesthood, they

will bless the lives of those they meet—throughout their lives. Let Every Man

Learn His Duty to God.‖

Young men between the ages of 12 and 18 are in a time of preparation and personal growth. Accordingly, the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood are to help each person who is ordained to:

 Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live its teachings.

 Serve faithfully in priesthood callings and fulfill the responsibilities of priesthood offices.

 Give meaningful service.

 Prepare and live worthily to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances.

 Prepare to serve an honorable full-time mission.

 Obtain as much education as possible.

 Prepare to become a worthy husband and father.

 Give proper respect to women, girls, and children.

Aaronic Priesthood holders are encouraged to study these purposes and make them an important part of all that they do. Leaders and parents should be guided by these purposes in fostering a young man‘s spiritual growth. Members of the bishopric and Aaronic Priesthood leaders should discuss these purposes when interviewing Aaronic Priesthood holders.

Based on revelation the Church has organized the young men ages 12-to-18 into priesthood quorums. This quorum identity is important to how the Church wants their youth program to operate. There is much information with how each quorum functions in conjunction with it‘s corresponding BSA program. However, the purpose of this thesis isn‘t to provide all the details of these programs. It is very important that leaders who are called to work with the 12- to

18-year-old young men study the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, Priesthood and

Auxiliary Leaders, Section 2, Aaronic Priesthood and the Church‘s Scouting Handbook to appropriately understand the programs and how the church would like the programs to function.

It is then important that all leaders attend the training related to their BSA position and learn all they can about scouting and their responsibilities.

Twelve- and thirteen-year-old young men belong to the deacon quorum and are registered as part of the Boy Scout troop. Fourteen- and fifteen-year-old young men belong to the

teacher quorum and are registered as part of the Varsity Scout team with a separate charter and organization from the troop. Sixteen-, seventeen- and eighteen-year-old young men are part of the priest quorum and are registered as a Venturing crew. It should be noted that youth of other faiths are welcomed to participate in the Church sponsored scouting program

The Bishop calls a Young Men presidency to serve with the young men. This presidency is unique in the fact that the president doesn‘t get to chose his counselors. The Bishop chooses the counselors and they are each assigned to work with one of the quorums. Adults who serve with the young men in the Aaronic Priesthood will have both an Aaronic Priesthood leadership position and a BSA position. It is important that these men know that they are being called to support the youth with both the Aaronic Priesthood and its activity arm, the scouting program.

These adults leaders need to be involved with the youth on Sunday as well as during the week in mutual and on other activities. On page 3 of the Church‘s Scouting Handbook it states, ―both the adviser and the assistant adviser attend all meetings of the quorum and the Scout unit and must be duly registered with the Boy Scouts of America.‖ These adult leaders meet regularly with the assigned member of the bishopric for that quorum and they counsel together about young men matters. The assigned member of the bishopric regularly attends the various quorum meeting and activities.

These adult leaders do not preside over their respective quorum but instead assist and advise those who do preside. The deacon and teacher quorum presidents preside over their respective quorums. For the priest quorum this would be the Bishop. In his absence, this role would be delegated to one of the priest quorum assistants. Members of these presidencies take turns conducting meetings.

The second counselor in Young Men presidency is the deacon quorum advisor. He should be called as either the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster. At least one additional person should be called who would serve as an assistant quorum advisor and either as the Assistant

Scoutmaster or Scoutmaster.

The first counselor in Young Men presidency is the teacher quorum advisor. He should be called as either the Varsity Team Coach or Assistant Team Coach. At least one additional person should be called who would serve as an assistant quorum advisor and either as the

Assistant Team Coach or Team Coach.

The Young Men president is the priest quorum advisor. He should be called as either the

Venturing Advisor or Associate Venturing Advisor. At least one additional person should be called who would serve as an assistant quorum advisor and either as the Associate Venturing

Advisor or Venturing Advisor.

It should be noted that to the extent possible the leadership should be set up as outlined above. However, if there is just a few Aaronic Priesthood age young men, consideration should be given on how to best set up the program to support the young men with the resources available.

As previously mentioned , adults should not be running these programs. They should be run by the youth. The adult role is to advise, guide and teach. The Aaronic Priesthood quorum presidents are given the keys to administer the work of their respective quorums over which they preside. Quorum leaders should follow the counsel and instruction of the bishopric and the quorum adviser. They report regularly to the bishopric on the progress of each quorum member.

Quorum leaders (1) preside over the quorum, (2) teach quorum members their duties and help them accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood (see D&C 107:85-87), (3) watch

over and fellowship quorum members and other young men of quorum age, (4) strive to develop love, brotherhood, and loyalty among quorum members, (5) provide opportunities for priesthood assignments, leadership experiences, and spiritual growth, (6) have a special responsibility to watch over and fellowship new quorum members, unordained young men of quorum age, less- active quorum members, and members who have disabilities or other special needs, (7) preside over quorum presidency meetings and Sunday quorum meetings, (8) help plan quorum activities,

(9) serve on committees, (10) visit the Primary class for 11-year-old boys, and (11) keep records.

(http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,5085-1,00.html)

Adult leaders should train quorum presidencies in their priesthood leadership roles as well as scouting related roles. They should then allow these young men to lead while they step back to guide, coach and advise.

How Scouting supports the Aaronic Priesthood

For the Aaronic Priesthood, scouting refers to Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting and

Venturing. These are three separate programs and each one has many differences. A brief overview of these various programs can be found in the following appendixes:

Appendix K – BSA at a Glance Appendix L – Boy Scouting Fact Sheet Appendix M – Varsity Scouting Fact Sheet Appendix N – Venturing Fact Sheet

As has been previously mentioned scouting supports the Aaronic Priesthood by providing opportunities for young men to put into practice the gospel lessons they learn in the home and at church. As the activity arm of the priesthood, scouting provides a structured program where the religious lessons learned on Sunday can be re-enforced and put into action.

Thane J. Packer wrote On My Honor - A Guide to Scouting in the Church. In this book he provides many insights on how Scouting can effectively be used in the Church. He provides the following insights related to Scouting being a laboratory:

―When properly applied, Scouting acts as a laboratory for boys with

dedicated leaders serving as trained laboratory instructors, monitoring and

encouraging the application of the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood by

providing action experiences that appeal to quorum members.

―First, Scouting succeeds because it supports gospel purposes and yet

helps all boys feel accepted in the peer group it creates, attracting both active

and inactive boys. In serves as a camouflage incentive for boys, encouraging

them to participate for the sheer joy of it, for the excitement, challenge, action,

and adventure.

―Second, Scouting succeeds because it contains a code of conduct that

appeals to a boy‘s inborn sense of honor and duty and encourages spiritual

development precious to the purposes of the gospel.

―Third, Scouting succeeds because it provides an organized magic called

the patrol method. This method encourages peer leadership and peer

followership, both prime requisites for boy leadership in the quorums and also

an important requirement for the successful operation of Scouting itself.

―Forth, Scouting has a patriotic purpose easily equated with the Church‘s

view that we live in a land blessed above all others, a land that provides the

right to life, liberty, and religious freedom.

―These four characteristics are applicable and meaningful for every LDS

boy and can enrich the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. Rather than

Scouting performing weakly because it is vulnerable. When it performs

properly it can successfully support the growth of boys commissioned with

the sacred purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood.‖ (Packer, On My Honor – A

Guide to Scouting in the Church, page 2 to 3)

Scouting can be used to complement the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums.

When the program is done appropriately there are opportunities for the young men to feel the spirit (Holy Ghost) as they go on campouts and participate in the various activities. Scouting can help the young men to learn about and serve the Savior as well as to honor their parents. The program can help them to build their testimonies.

The purpose of Aaronic Priesthood activities is to strengthen young men‘s testimonies and foster personal growth. All activities should be planned with an Aaronic Priesthood purpose and with opportunities to apply the principle taught each Sunday during quorum meetings.

It is important that all activities comply with the Guide to Safe Scouting. BSA requires that there be two adult leaders present at all activities. When a special activity is held that requires travel outside their normal meeting place, a tour permit should be prepared and submitted to the local BSA Office. This should also be done for all campouts. In all activities and interactions with the youth, BSA youth protection requirements should be followed.

The Church funds the registration for the youth and adults from a separate account which doesn‘t impact the young men budget. Each quorum and scout unit should prepare an annual calendar and based on it they should prepare a budget for their activities. All activities should be funded from the budget. The only exception to this would be the long-term summer camp or high

adventure activity. In these cases, if there isn‘t enough money in the budget the youth can work to earn their own money to pay for it. If this still doesn‘t cover the cost then they can hold fund raisers. A fund raiser can also be used to buy unit equipment needed for campouts.

The following diagram give a very good visual interpretation on how the programs should function together.

Diagram obtain from the file section of world wide web groups.yahoo.com/group/Scouts-LDS

(―Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God Scouting Diagram‖, )

It should be noted that scouting is an excellent tool to prepare our young men for missions and careers. Many skills such as cooking, first aid and camping could be valuable skills these young men will need as they serve missions in various parts of the world in potentially primitive conditions. Scouts are taught to ―Be Prepared‖ and as a missionary their scouting education may just be the key for them to be prepared in many different situations.

Scouting provides a recognition program that is copied by many entities across the USA.

Thus, a scout‘s accomplishment of being an Eagle Scout or earning his Venturing Ranger award or Silver award will tend to be recognized more widely than some other church program award.

For example, the Church has a wonderful girl camp program. However, if a young woman indicates that she has completed the 6-year girl camp program it would be meaningless to anyone but another Latter-day Saint woman. Whereas for a young man to indicate he is an Eagle Scout gives many others great insight on the caliber and quality of the young man‘s character, not just members of the Church.

In scouting, young men get to learn about many different subjects and careers as they work on merit badges, perform service and work on awards. These opportunities will help give them a taste of a variety of potential career choices and maybe lead them to pursue their given career. Eagle Scouts pursuing careers in the military will be immediately rewarded as they start at a higher rank and earn the higher wage due to this accomplishment. The fact that a young man is an Eagle Scout may very well be what tips the scale in his favor when applying for a scholarship, entrance to college, or a given job.

In scouting, young men have increased opportunities to develop leadership skills. These leadership skills will help them in many future endeavors.

Duty to God program and how it relates to Scouting

The Church implemented a Duty to God Award many years ago with some basic requirements that the young man needed to be priest age and active in his religious duties to earn the award. In January of 2000, the Church introduced an Aaronic Priesthood achievement program in areas outside the United States and Canada where there is no Scouting program. This program has the purpose of helping young men prepare for the Melchizedek Priesthood, the temple endowment, a full-time mission, marriage, and fatherhood. In 2001, this program was adapted for use in the United States and Canada and was implemented starting in January 2002.

This program is called the ―Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God‖ and it includes the valuable role of Scouting. This program replaced the previous Duty to God Award requirements, but allows a young man to earn the award when he completes the new requirements.

The program is divided into three quorum age-appropriate blocks of requirements and there is an individual Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God guidebook for deacons, teachers, and priest that outlines the program for that age group. Upon completing all the requirements for his age-group the young man earns a certificate. Upon completing all three certificates he will earn the Duty to God Award. Each program is broken up into the following areas: family, quorum, spiritual development, physical development; educational, personal, and career development, and citizenship and social development. Appendixes G, H, and I contain copies of these handbook .

With this program was also announced a Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth which can be used by the parents and leaders to help them strengthen their youth. Refer to

Appendix F for a copy of this guidebook.

When this new program was introduced many church members were confused with the role of scouting as the activity arm of the priesthood and somehow misinterpreted that this new program was implemented to replace scouting. However in 2003, Church News staff writer

Jason Swensen interviewed Elder F. Melvin Hammond of the Seventy, a former Young Men general president, where he clarified the Church‘s position. Following is an excerpt from

"Scouting's Future," Church News, Sept. 20, 2003:

―Church News: There are rumors that the Church is planning to part ways with

the Scouting program. Can you address that?

―Elder Hammond: It‘s a pure rumor. I think the rumor arose out of the creation

and implementation of the [Church‘s Aaronic Priesthood] Duty to God program.

The Duty to God program was not meant in any way to diminish Scouting in the

Church. It was meant to complement Scouting and they work hand-in-hand

beautifully. One of the primary reasons for the Duty to God program was to pick

up the slack for a boy after he gets his Eagle Scout award. And, of course, the

Scouting program is a national program. The Duty to God is an international and

a national program.― (Swensen, )

Refer to Appendix B for a complete copy of the news article.

In the Fall 2005 Young Men Open House, President Dahlquist stated the following:

―We have also noticed that, with a rare exception, where Scouting is strong, so is

the Duty to God program. Both of them are part of the Aaronic Priesthood

achievement program to help better prepare our young men for missions and

temple marriage. ―

So it can be seen that the two programs are meant to complement each other as the leaders strive to accomplish the Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood.

Many Scouting and Duty to God activities overlap in their requirements and can be used to fulfill both programs. The young men also have the option to develop one of their own activities to meet one of the requirements in the spiritual development; physical development; educational, personal, and career development; and citizenship and social development areas.

This activity certainly can be a scouting related activity. It is important that the leaders review both sets of requirements and plan their activities in such a way to complete the requirements of both programs. There are many sources where additional information can be found regarding the correlation between Duty to God and Scouting. Some of these sources can be found in ―Listing of Helpful Program Resources‖ section of this thesis. Also, Appendix E contains 3 documents prepared by the Great Salt Lake Council where the requirements of Duty to God are listed with the Scouting advancement resources that relate to it.

Scouting and Aaronic Priesthood position duties and training requirements

When calling Aaronic Priesthood leaders it is important that the newly called leader is provided with some information on their calling responsibilities. The new leader should be provide with the Church‘s Scouting Handbook and the appropriate section(s) of the Church

Handbook of Instructions. Ward young men presidents should be provided with Church

Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders. The Church has prepared separate publications of the individual sections within the previous mention handbook which can be given to the appropriate leaders. Aaronic Priesthood leaders should receive a copy of the

Aaronic Priesthood, Activities, and Gospel Teaching and Leadership sections. They should also receive a copy of the appropriate Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, or Venturing handbooks.

The following pages contain a one or two page BSA scouting position descriptions that include some of roles, responsibilities, training requirements, and meetings to attend. These descriptions can be provided to new leaders. The descriptions are intended only as an initial guide and refer more to a leader‘s scouting responsibilities rather than their Aaronic Priesthood responsibilities. It is important that leaders are registered immediately with BSA in their appropriate positions and that they immediate start to accomplish BSA training courses.

Note: These position descriptions were created by the author using information in a variety of resources, guidebooks, and handbooks including position descriptions in Chartered

Representative Guidebook by David L. Olpin found at http://www.mormonscouting.com/Guidebooks/WardCharter.pdf.

Venturing Advisor (Young Men President/Priest Quorum Advisor Or Assistant Priest Quorum Advisor)

Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. D&C 107:99

The Purposes of Your Calling: Through your ward outlined Scouting Program, help the assigned young men in your ward, ages 16 to 18 achieve the purposes of LDS Scouting, to include the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and the goals of Venturing which include the following:  Learn to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values in the Venturing Oath and Code  Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure  Become a skilled training and program resource for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and other groups  Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, or religious life  Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles  Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment

Venturing Advisor Roles and Responsibilities  Register with the Boy Scouts of America and complete required training for your position.  Get to know and become closely aware of all Venturers in your Crew and quorum members.  Foster an environment within the Venturing crew that has a true sense of community and that encourages everyone‘s growth and responsibility to one another  Develop crew officers to lead – to plan, make decisions, and carry out a program of activities  Conduct Crew Officer‘s Briefing, Officer‘s seminar, and Venturing Leader Skills Course  Be a shadow leader to the young men, thereby helping them develop their leadership capabilities.  Advisor (shadow leader) to the President  Work with crew leaders to plan a yearly calendar with activities that have a priesthood purpose and build upon Sunday quorum lessons.  Assist crew leaders to develop & conduct a monthly weekend activity and a yearly super activity  Assist the young men to conduct weekly regular crew meetings and monthly officers meeting.  Maintain a Personal Achievement Record (Venturing/Scouting/Duty to God for each young man.  Submit Tour Permit Applications for all outside-the-ward activities involving travel.  Establish and live your own Crew Venturer Code and Bylaws aligned with Scout Oath and Law.  Encourage participation and support for the Venturing crew from the chartered organization, associate Advisors, crew committee, parents, and other adults in the community  Uphold the standards and policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America  Provide the necessary framework for protecting the members of a crew from abuse  Ensure that activities are conducted within BSA safety guidelines and requirements. Advisors should be trained by the BSA  Maintain two-deep Advisor leadership in all activities  Report regularly to your designated member of the Bishopric.  Rule One: Make it fun!

Training You Should Complete  Youth Protection (yearly)  New Leader Essentials  Venturing Leader Fast Start  Venturing Leader Specific Training Optional (but Highly encouraged) Venturing Leader Training  Powder Horn  Trainer Development Conference  Wood Badge for the 21st Century

Meetings/Activities to attend  Weekly Quorum and Crew meetings, Presidency Meetings and a monthly planning meeting.  Aaronic Priesthood Committee and Bishop Youth Committee meetings  Monthly ward Key Scout Leaders Meeting if invited by COR.  Monthly VOA (Venturer Organization Association) Meeting, along with a Venturer youth leader  Committee planning meetings.  District Round Table.  District and Council Venturing activities.  General church meetings. Appropriate stake YM and YM/YW activities, i.e., Standards Night, Sports, Stake Dances, etc.

Handbooks or supplemental materials available to help you: Church Handbook of Instructions Book 2, section 2 Aaronic Priesthood (LDS), Scouting Handbook (LDS), Venturer Handbook #33493; Venturing Leader Manual #34655B; Venturing Ranger Guidebook #3128; Varsity-Venturer Program Features, Vol. 1, 2, and 3, #‘s 34837, 34838, 34839; Boy Scout Handbook (BSA), #33105; Scouting Handbook (LDS), Duty to God and On My Honor Awards forms (LDS).

Associate Venturing Advisor (Assistant Priest Quorum Advisor Or Young Men President/Priest Quorum Advisor)

Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. D&C 107:99

Associate Venturing Advisor Roles and Responsibilities  Register with the Boy Scouts of America and complete required training for your position.  Get to know and become closely aware of all Venturers in your Crew and quorum members.  Help foster an environment within the Venturing crew that has a true sense of community and that encourages everyone‘s growth and responsibility to one another  Help develop crew officers to lead – to plan, make decisions, and carry out a program of activities  Help conduct Crew Officer‘s Briefing, Officer‘s seminar, and Venturing Leader Skills Course  Be a shadow leader to the young men, thereby helping them develop their leadership capabilities.  Advisor (shadow leader) to the Administrative Vice-President  Advisor (shadow leader) to the Program Vice-President  Work with crew leaders to plan a yearly calendar with activities that have a priesthood purpose and build upon Sunday quorum lessons.  Assist crew leaders to develop & conduct a monthly weekend activity and a yearly super activity  Assist the young men to conduct weekly regular crew meetings and monthly officers meeting.  Maintain a Personal Achievement Record (Venturing/Scouting/Duty to God for each young man.  Submit Tour Permit Applications for all outside-the-ward activities involving travel.  Establish and live your own Crew Venturer Code and Bylaws aligned with Scout Oath and Law.  Encourage participation and support for the Venturing crew from the chartered organization, associate Advisors, crew committee, parents, and other adults in the community  Uphold the standards and policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America  Help provide the necessary framework for protecting the members of a crew from abuse  Ensure that activities are conducted within BSA safety guidelines and requirements. Advisors should be trained by the BSA  Maintain two-deep Advisor leadership in all activities  Report regularly to your designated member of the Bishopric.  Rule One: Make it fun!

Varsity Team Coach (Young Men First Counselor/Teacher Quorum Advisor Or Assistant Teacher Quorum Advisor)

Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. D&C 107:99

The Purposes of Your Calling: Through your ward outlined Scouting Program, help the assigned young men in your ward, ages 14 to 15 achieve the purposes of LDS Scouting, to include the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and the ―Aims of Scouting‖ which are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Varsity Team Coach Roles and Responsibilities  Register with the Boy Scouts of America, wear the Varsity Scout Leaders uniform and complete required training for your position.  Get to know and become closely aware of all Varsity Team members.  Assist the young men to conduct weekly Varsity Team meetings and a monthly officers meeting.  Develop and conduct at least one Varsity High Adventure experience per year as well as month out door activities Plan and carry out activities with a priesthood purpose  As a coach (shadow leader) and with the young men, tentatively plan for the entire year Team activities; then plan and carry out a definite calendar for at least three months in advance to be approved by the Bishop. There should be monthly weekend activity and a yearly high adventure experience per year. Activities should be planned with a priesthood purpose.  Continuously train Team members to plan and operate a Quality Award program, wear the full Varsity uniform and to continue their advancement program.  Coach, guide and implement the Team program as outlined through its officers and Team members.  Maintain a Personal Achievement Record on each young man to be reviewed with the bishopric member every six months.  Maintain the standards of a chartered organization and BSA.  Supervise a balanced Varsity Scout Letter Program with five fields of emphasis: (1) Individual Scouting advancement to achieve Eagle rank (2) High Adventure activities, (3) Personal development, (4) Service projects, (5) Special programs and events.  Secure adult help and resources as needed through your adult Varsity Team committee.  Through the Varsity adult committee, provide tour permits for all outside the ward activities involving travel.  Maintain two-deep leadership in all activities  Encourage parent involvement.  Report regularly to your designated member of the Bishopric.  Rule One: Make it fun!

Training You Should Complete  Youth Protection (yearly)  New Leader Essentials  Varsity Leader Fast Start  Varsity Leader Specific Training  Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills Optional (but Highly encouraged) Varsity Leader Training  Powder Horn  Trainer Development Conference  Wood Badge for the 21st Century

Meetings/Activities to attend  Weekly Quorum and Team meetings, Presidency meetings and a monthly planning meeting.  Aaronic Priesthood Committee and Bishop Youth Committee meetings  Monthly ward Key Scout Leaders Meeting, if invited by COR.  Committee planning meetings.  District Round Table monthly.  Courts of Honor to receive awards earned.  District and Council activities  General church meetings. Appropriate stake YM and YM/YW activities, i.e., Standards Night, Sports, Stake Dances, etc.

Handbooks or supplemental materials available to help you: Scouting Handbook (LDS), Aaronic Priesthood Handbook (LDS), Varsity Scout Guidebook #34827A (BSA), Varsity-Venturer Program Features Volumes 1,2 and 3 #‘s 348937, 34838, 34839; Boy Scout Handbook (BSA-New) Duty to God and On My Honor Awards forms, Varsity Fast Start Video #AV02V004.

Assistant Varsity Team Coach (Assistant Teacher Quorum Advisor Or Young Men First Counselor/Teacher Quorum Advisor)

Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. D&C 107:99

Assistant Varsity Team Coach Roles and Responsibilities  Register with the Boy Scouts of America, wear the Varsity Scout Leaders uniform and complete required training for your position.  Get to know and become closely aware of all Varsity Team members.  Assist the young men to conduct weekly Varsity Team meetings and a monthly officers meeting.  Assist to develop and conduct at least one Varsity High Adventure experience per year as well as month out door activities Plan and carry out activities with a priesthood purpose  Assist the coach and young men, tentatively plan for the entire year Team activities; then plan and carry out a definite calendar for at least three months in advance to be approved by the Bishop. There should be monthly weekend activity and a yearly high adventure experience per year. Activities should be planned with a priesthood purpose.  Assist to train Team members to plan and operate a Quality Award program, wear the full Varsity uniform and to continue their advancement program.  Assist to coach, guide and implement the Team program as outlined through its officers and Team members.  Maintain a Personal Achievement Record on each young man to be reviewed with the bishopric member every six months.  Maintain the standards of a chartered organization and BSA.  Help supervise a balanced Varsity Scout Letter Program with five fields of emphasis: (1) Individual Scouting advancement to achieve Eagle rank (2) High Adventure activities, (3) Personal development, (4) Service projects, (5) Special programs and events.  Secure adult help and resources as needed through your adult Varsity Team committee.  Through the Varsity adult committee, provide tour permits for all outside the ward activities involving travel.  Maintain two-deep leadership in all activities  Encourage parent involvement.  Report regularly to your designated member of the Bishopric.  Rule One: Make it fun!

Scoutmaster (Young Men Presidency 2nd Counselor/Deacons Quorum Advisor Or Deacons Quorum Assistant Advisor)

Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. D&C 107:99

The Purposes of Your Calling: Through your ward outlined Scouting Program, help the assigned young men in your ward, ages 12 to 13 achieve the purposes of LDS Scouting, to include the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and the "Aims of Scouting‖ which are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Scoutmaster Roles and Responsibilities  Register with the Boy Scouts of America, wear the Scout Leaders uniform and complete required training for your position.  Get to know and become closely aware of all Scout troop and quorum members.  Train and guide boy leaders.  When possible, be a shadow leader to the young men, thereby helping them develop their  leadership capabilities.  Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.  Use the eight Methods of Scouting to achieve the Aims of Scouting.  Meet regularly with the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) for training and coordination in planning troop activities.  Help scouts plan a year of troop activities; then plan and carry out a definite calendar for at least three months to be approved by the committee and bishop. There should be monthly weekend activity & a yearly high adventure experience per year. Plan activities with a priesthood purpose.  Attend all troop meetings or when necessary arrange for a qualified adult substitute.  Attend troop committee meetings.  Conduct periodic parents‘ sessions to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation.  Take part in annual membership inventory and uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation.  Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements.  Provide a systematic recruiting plan for new members and see that they are promptly registered.  Delegate responsibility to other adults and groups (assistants, troop committee) so that they have a real part in troop operations.  Supervise troop elections for the Order of the Arrow.  Make it possible for each Scout to experience at least 10 days and nights of camping each year.  Participate in Council and District events. Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature.  Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and the policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America  Maintain a Personal Achievement Record on each young man to be reviewed with the bishopric member every six months.  Through the Scout adult committee, provide tour permits for all outside the ward activities involving travel.  The Eleven-Year-Old Scouts function separately, but they sometimes coordinate with the troop.  Maintain at least two-deep leadership in all activities.  Report regularly to your designated member of the Bishopric.  Rule One: Make it fun!

Training You Should Complete  Youth Protection (yearly)  Fast Start for Boy Scout Leaders  New Leader Essentials  Scoutmaster Position Specific Training  Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills Optional (but Highly encouraged) Scout Leader Training  Troop Committee Challenge  Trainer Development Conference  Wood Badge for the 21st Century

Meetings/Activities to attend  Weekly Quorum and Troop meetings, and a monthly Presidency /Scout planning meeting.  Aaronic Priesthood Committee and Bishop Youth Committee meetings  Monthly ward Key Scout Leaders Meeting.  Troop Committee meetings.  Monthly District Round Table.  Courts of Honor to receive awards earned.  District and Council scout activities  General church meetings and appropriate stake YM and YM/YW activities, i.e., Standards Night, Sports, etc.

Handbooks or supplemental materials available to help you: Church Handbook of Instruction Book 2, Section 2 (LDS); Scouting Handbook (LDS); Boy Scout Handbook (BSA); Scoutmaster Handbook; Troop Program Resources; Troop Program Features, Volumes. I, II, III; Flag Ceremonies; Council Calendar (BSA); Duty to God and On My Honor Awards forms (LDS). Boy Scout Fast Start Video #AV026

Assistant Scoutmaster (Deacons Quorum Assistant Advisor Or Young Men Presidency Second Counselor/Deacons Quorum Advisor)

Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. D&C 107:99

Assistant Scoutmaster Roles and Responsibilities:  Register with the Boy Scouts of America, wear the Scout Leaders uniform and complete required training for your position.  Get to know and become closely aware of all Scout troop and quorum members.  Help train and guide boy leaders.  When possible, be a shadow leader to the young men, thereby helping them develop their leadership capabilities.  Use the eight Methods of Scouting to achieve the Aims of Scouting.  Help scouts plan a year of troop activities; then plan and carry out a definite calendar for at least three months to be approved by the Bishop. There should be monthly weekend activity and a yearly high adventure experience per year. Plan activities with a priesthood purpose.  Assistant Scoutmasters serve as assistants to the Scoutmaster and may take his place when he is absent.  Attend troop meetings and go on hikes and camping trips. The Senior Patrol Leader and other troop leaders look to the Assistant Scoutmasters, along with the Scoutmaster for advice and direction.  Guide and supervise the Scouts in carrying out tasks, as much as possible.  Work with the Scoutmaster and other adult leaders to ensure that the troop is run in accordance with the policies of the Boy Scouts of America and the chartered organization.  Carryout assignments, as given by the Scoutmaster.  Be a good role model for the Scouts in the troop, and live by the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan.  Participate in Council and District events. Help build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature.  Maintain a Personal Achievement Record on each young man to be reviewed with the bishopric member every six months.  Through the Scout adult committee, provide tour permits for all outside the ward activities involving travel.  Attend troop committee meetings  Report regularly to your designated member of the Bishopric.  Rule One: Make it fun!

Meetings/Activities to attend  Weekly Quorum and Troop meetings, and a monthly Presidency /Scout planning meeting (Patrol Leader Council).  Aaronic Priesthood Committee and Bishop Youth Committee meetings  Monthly ward Key Scout Leaders Meeting.  Troop Committee meetings.  Monthly District Round Table.  Courts of Honor to receive awards earned.  District and Council scout activities  General church meetings and appropriate stake YM and YM/YW activities, i.e., Standards Night, Sports, etc.

Chartered Organization Representative (Bishopric or Branch Presidency Second Counselor)

Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. D&C 107:99

The Purposes of Your Calling Through your ward outlined Scouting Program, help the assigned boys and young men, ages 8 to 18, to build their testimonies, to love and serve the savior and to honor their parents.

The chartered organization representative's responsibilities are to  Register with the Boy Scouts of America as an adult leader.  Become trained with Cub Scouts, boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts and Venturing.  Help select the right leadership for the units.  Encourage unit leaders and committee members to take training.  Promote well-planned unit programs.  Serve as a liaison between the units and the organization.  Organize enough units.  Promote the recruiting of new members.  See that boys transition from unit to unit.  Help with the charter renewal.  Suggest Good Turns for the organization.  Encourage the unit committee to hold meetings.  Cultivate organization leaders.  Encourage monthly outdoor program activities.  Emphasize advancement and recognition.  Utilize district help and promote the use of district personnel and materials.  Use approved unit finance policies.  Encourage recognition of leaders.  Cultivate resources to support the organization.  Represent the organization at the district and council level and is voting member of council.  If the chartered organization has more than one unit one representative serves them all.

Meetings/Activities to attend:  Weekly Quorum and Troop meetings as possible  Aaronic Priesthood Committee and Bishop Youth Committee meetings  Monthly ward Key Scout Leaders Meeting (Chairs).  Monthly pack, troop, team, and crew committee meetings  Monthly pack meeting  Courts of Honor  Monthly district Roundtable and district Committee meetings  Annual Pack Program Planning Conference  Quarterly Council Committee Meetings  Other district and council activities

Training You Should Complete  Youth Protection (yearly)  New Leader Essentials  Charter Organization Representative Position Specific  Fast Start for Cub Scout Leaders, Boy Scout Leaders, Varsity Leaders, Venturing Leaders Optional (but Highly encouraged) Leader Training  Cub Scout Cubmaster and Den Leader Position Specific Training  Scoutmaster Position Specific Training  Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills  Varsity Coach Position Specific  Venturing Advisor Position Specific  Troop Committee Challenge  Trainer Development Conference  Wood Badge for the 21st Century  Powder Horn

Scout Troop/Team/Crew Committee

Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. D&C 107:99

The Purposes of Your Calling: Through your ward outlined Scouting Program, help the young men in your ward, ages 11 to 18, and their leaders achieve the purposes of LDS Scouting, to include the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and the "Aims of Scouting‖ which are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Guidelines of Your Stewardship  Register with the Boy Scouts of America as an adult leader.  Attend Basic Training course related to the type of unit for which you are a member---troop, team or crew.  Attend monthly committee meetings.  Get to know and become closely aware of all leaders and young men in your ward unit.  Study and use the Troop/Team or Crew committee Guidebooks.  Learn how you can support your assigned unit.  Assist the unit to run a Quality Award program.  Assist Scouting units in planning tentatively one year ahead in their programs and definitely programs three months in advance.  Read manuals and understand program  Maintain the standards of a chartered organization and BSA.  As an adult support committee provided resources and give needed assistance to your assigned unit  Assist in the support of BSA Council and District Activities.  Ensure that program policies and guidelines are followed.  Give committee cooperative support to unit leaders

Meetings/Activities  Attend the monthly committee meeting.  Attend District Roundtable.  Attend troop meetings, court of honors, outings (campout, hikes, etc) as needed

Training You Should Complete  Youth Protection (yearly)  New Leader Essentials  Troop Committee Challenge

Optional (but Highly encouraged) Leader Training  Fast Start for Boy Scout Leaders, Varsity Leaders, Venturing Leaders  Scoutmaster Position Specific Training  Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills  Varsity Coach Position Specific  Venturing Advisor Position Specific  Trainer Development Conference  Wood Badge for the 21st Century  Powder Horn

Handbooks or supplemental materials available to help you: Scouting Handbook (LDS), Aaronic Priesthood Leadership Handbook (LDS), Scouting Handbook, Troop Committee Guidebook #34416B, Duty to God and On My Honor Awards (LDS) On Next page detailed are detailed responsibilities for each committee member.

Chair  Develop and maintain a merit badge  Organize committee to ensure all counselor list. functions are delegated, coordinated, and  Turn in monthly advancement report to completed. the council. Secure awards.  Maintain a close relationship with the  Support librarian to build and maintain COR and the unit leaders. an advancement library  Interpret national and local policies to the  Report to the committee at each meeting troop/team/crew. Treasure (Finance/Records)  Prepare committee meeting agendas.  Handle all troop funds. Pay bills as  Call and preside over monthly committee authorized. meetings.  Support the scribe in record keeping  Ensure representation at monthly  Keep adequate records in the roundtables. Troop/Team Record Book.  Secure top-notch, trained individuals for  Supervise the camp saving plan. camp leadership.  Prepare annual troop budget.  Arrange for charter review & recharter.  Friends of Scouting chairperson  Plan the charter presentation.  Report to committee at each meeting Secretary Training Coordinator  Keep minutes send out meeting notices  Ensure leaders and committee members  Handle publicity. have opportunities for training  Prepare a family newsletter of troop  Maintain an inventory of up-to-date events and activities. training materials, videotapes and other  Conduct the troop resource survey. training resources  Plan for family night programs and  Work the district training team in family activities. scheduling Fast Start and New Leader  At each meeting, report the minutes of the Essential training for all new leaders previous meeting.  Track completed training Outdoor/Activities Coordinator  Encourage periodic junior leader training  Help in securing permission to use with the unit and at the council and camping sites. national levels  Serve as transportation coordinator.  Report to the committee at each meeting  Ensure a monthly outdoor program. Equipment Coordinator  Promote the nation camping award  Supervise and help the troop procure  Promote attendance at campouts, camping equipment. camporees, and summer camp.  Work with the quartermaster on  Secure tour permits for all troop inventory, proper storage and activities. maintenance of all equipment.  Report to the committee at each meeting.  Make periodic safety checks on all Risk Management Coordinator camping gear, and encourage safe use of  Ensure leaders are trained and following all outdoor equipment. the policies in “Guide to Safe Scouting”.  Report to the troop at each meeting  Be responsible for BSA Youth Protection Chaplain with the units.  Provide a spiritual tone for meetings and  Ensure all leaders complete Youth activities. Protection annually.  Give guidance to the chaplain aid.  Provide Youth Protection training for  Promote regular participation in religious youth. meetings.  Represent the unit on the District/Council  Visit homes of scouts in time of sickness Risk Management Committee. or need.  Report to the committee at each meeting  Give spiritual counseling service when Advancement Coordinator needed or requested.  Encourage scouts to advance in rank  Encourage Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and  Work with the troop scribe to maintain Venturers to earn their appropriate all Scout advancement records religious emblems.  Arrange quarterly troop boards of review  Report to the committee at each meeting. and courts of honor

Primary and Scouting

Primary is for children from the ages of 18 months-to-11-years-old. It has the sacred responsibility to help parents teach the children the gospel of Jesus Christ. It helps prepare the boys to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and the girls to be righteous young women. It helps children learn and live gospel principles; remember and keep their baptismal covenants; and build strong, enduring testimonies. This occurs through the Sunday meetings as well as through weekday activities.

One afternoon or evening each week is set aside for the boys ages 8-to-11-years-old for a

Primary activity day. This gives the boys opportunities to interact with each other and have fun while being involved in physical, creative, cultural and service activities. This is an opportunity for the boys to put into action the gospel principals they learn in Primary on Sunday and in the home.

There are two parts of this program. Faith in God and Scouting. For boys age 8-to-10 they are registered in cub scouting. For the 11-year-old boys they are registered in Boys Scouts and function as a separate, independent patrol of the troop. The Sunday Primary classes and the weekly activity days are not as correlated as they are for the Aaronic Priesthood. Generally speaking the Sunday and weekday programs function separately. With Cub Scouts there should also be a lot more parental involvement in the program.

The Primary presidency is responsible for the Cub Scout program and the eleven-year-old scout patrol. All Cub Scout committee members, Cub Scout leaders and eleven-year-old scout leaders are recommended by the Primary presidency to the bishopric who has final authority to approve, call and release leaders. Once these leaders are called they work through the designated member of the Primary presidency. Generally, the Primary president is responsible for the

eleven-year-old scouts and as such she represents their patrol as a member of the ward scout committee. One of the Primary counselors is responsible for the Cub Scout program.

For both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts it is important that all activities comply with the

Guide to Safe Scouting and church policy of safeguarding children. BSA requires that there be two adult leaders present at all activities. The Church requires that when men are assigned to teach or work with children of Primary age at least two responsible individuals should be present at all times. These two individual can either be two men or, two women, or a married couple. In all activities and interactions with the youth, BSA youth protection requirements should be followed.

When holding an activity that requires travel outside their normal meeting place a tour permit should be prepared and submitted to the local BSA office. This should also be done for all eleven-year-old scout campouts.

It is very important that leaders who are called to work with the Primary with the Cub

Scouts and eleven-year-old scouts study the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2,

Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders, Section 5, Primary and the Church‘s Scouting Handbook to appropriately understand the programs and the how the Church would like the programs to function. They should also obtain the appropriate BSA books related to their calling and study them. It is then important that all leaders attend the training related to their BSA position and learn all they can about their responsibilities.

A brief overview of Boy Scout of America, Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting can be found in the following appendixes:

Appendix K – BSA at a Glance Appendix L – Boy Scouting Fact Sheet Appendix O – Cub Scouting Fact Sheet

Cub Scouts in Primary

The Cub Scout program is done by age group in the Church rather than by school year.

When a boys turns 8 he is registered as a Cub Scout. Prior to age 8, the Church does not support cub scouting nor does it sponsor a Tiger Cub program. Eight-year-old boys participate in the

Wolf den, nine-year-old boys participate in the Bear den, and ten-year-old boys participate in the

Webelos den. Depending on the number of boys there may be more than one den for a given age group. The Church does not sponsor camping with the Cub Scout program. However, if the BSA district or council sponsors a family Cub Scout camp, the cub scout should feel welcomed to attend with his parents

Each month the cub pack should have a pack meeting where all the dens can attend to have a fun time, share what they have learned during the month and be recognized (awarded) for their achievements.

There should also be a Cub Scout committee organized to support the Cub Scout den leaders and cubmaster in the many aspects of the program. Each den and the cubmaster should prepare an annual calendar of their activities and an annual budget to carry out the program. The

Cub Scout program is funded through the Church‘s budget program, thus no dues are paid by the boys for their activities. The only exception may be for the annual day camp training sponsored by the district or council if there isn‘t enough funding in the ward budget.

When leaders are called to work in the Cub Scout program they should be registered in their position with BSA. This includes the Primary president and her counselor over Cub Scouts as well as the den leaders, the cubmaster and the committee members.. It is imperative all these leaders are trained. The boys deserve trained leaders who understands the program and know how to implement it correctly. It also makes it much easier to perform duties when the leader

knows their duties and use all the helps that BSA has prepared to create successful leaders and teachers. Leaders should participate in the monthly district roundtable where they receive program support. All leaders should attend the following training courses:

New Leader Essentials Youth Protection Training

They should then attend the training related to their position. These course are:

Fast Start for Cub Leaders Cubmaster Position Specific Training Den Leader Position Specific Training Webelos Den Leader Position Specific Training

The following training course are optional:

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) Trainer Development Conference Wood Badge for the 21st Century

Eleven-year-old Scouts

As previously mentioned, the Church does scouting by age group rather than school grade. Thus, when a boy turns 11-years-old he is encouraged to join the Boy Scout troop. These boys participate with the eleven-year-old scout patrol and are registered as part of the scout troop.

For the 11-year-old boys the ward has the option to have the Sunday Primary teachers also be their scout leaders or they can be separate. The leaders can either be two men or two women. Two-deep adult leadership is important as a BSA and as a Primary requirement and should be strictly followed. In all activities and interactions with the youth, BSA youth protection requirements should be followed.

The patrol is part of the troop but the Church for the most part keeps the 11-year-old boys separate from the 12- and 13-year-old boys. Their leaders also function independently. They

have the option to do Scoutmaster conferences or they can allow the Scoutmaster to do it. These leaders work with the Primary president for the support they need. They should prepare an annual calendar and annual budget which is submitted to the Primary president.

The eleven-year-old patrol does not camp with the scout troop. The guiding purpose of the eleven-year-old scout program is to work with the boys to achieve their first class rank by the time they turn 12. The first class rank requires three nights camping. The Church limits the eleven-year-old scouts to just three nights camping and they do not participate in the long-term resident summer camp. However, they may participate in a multi-day day camp opportunity that provides all the activities of a resident Boy Scout summer camp experience except they return home each evening. Some BSA councils or districts provide this day camp opportunity. If the local council or district doesn‘t provide a day camp, the stake Primary presidency may organize one at the stake level or the ward Primary presidency may organize one at the ward level. The

Church provides the Day Camp Guide for Eleven-Year-Old Scouts to be used to plan a day camp at the stake or ward level.

In addition to the support from the Primary president, this patrol is supported by the scout committee. The Primary president is a member of the troop committee and as such she represents the 11-year-old boys and works with the committee to provide support for the patrol to include registration, awards, boards of review, tour permits, equipment, transportation for activities and tour permits.

The eleven-year-old patrol occasionally participates in appropriate troop activities with the troop. Court of honors should be held together and certain day activities can be done in conjunction with the troop. However, the eleven-year-old patrol should not camp with the troop.

District and council events can be attended by the patrol as long as church guidelines and policies are followed.

It is important that the eleven-year-old scout leaders are registered with BSA and they receive the necessary training. As has been previously mentioned the boys deserve trained leaders who understands the program and know how to implement it correctly. It also makes it much easier to perform the duties of the position when the leaders knows what they are and uses all the resources that BSA has prepared to create successful leaders and teachers. Leaders should attend monthly district roundtables. In addition, to attending new leader essentials and youth protection training, leaders should attend the training related to their position. These courses are:

Fast Start for Boy Scout Leaders Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmaster Position Specific Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills

The following training course are optional: Trainer Development Conference Wood Badge for the 21st Century

The leaders should ensure that the requirement of two-deep leadership is followed at all times. The Church encourages the boys‘ fathers to attend campouts with their sons at this age. In all activities and interactions with the youth, BSA youth protection requirements should be followed.

Cheryl C. Lant, Primary general president, said: ―Scouting prepares boys to become righteous men who hold and honor the priesthood of God. Scout leaders have the responsibility to help each boy connect what he is learning in Scouting to his priesthood preparation and his future as a covenant keeping missionary, husband, and father.‖

The following diagram show how gospel principle are reinforced through scouting:

Diagram obtain from the Church‘s website at the following link http://www.lds.org/pa/images/11_primarychart.pdf

President Dahlquist provided a message for eleven year scouts that gives a wonderful overview that would be excellent to share with the 11-year-old boys prior to them turning twelve.

It is in Appendix P - Welcome to the Aaronic Priesthood and Young Men.

Faith in God program

The purpose of the Faith in God program is to help the boys ages 8 through 11 live gospel principles, develop testimonies, build friendships, and prepare to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.

Boys who complete the requirements in the guidebook can earn the Faith in God Award. This program is to be used with the cub scout and eleven-year-old scout program. The activities for the program are outline in the Faith in God for Boys Guidebook. A copy of this guidebook is in

Appendix J. These activities can be done at home with their family and as part of the scouting

Activities. Many of the cub scout activities meet the Faith in God Award requirements.

The eleven-year-old scout leader has the following responsibilities for the program:

 Help orient the boy and his parents to the program.

 Scouting is the activity days for boys. Find ways to combine the Faith in God requirements with cub scout and eleven-year-old scout activities.

 Help the 8-, 9-, and 10-year-old boys complete two activities per year. Help the 11-year-old boys complete the ―Preparing for the Priesthood‖ activities. Some of these activities can be done at home with their families.

 Once a boy completes the requirement ensure the Primary president and the bishop sign the Faith in God Award certificate on the last page of the guidebook. The boy should then be recognized in Primary.

In addition, designated activities in the guidebook help the boy qualify for the scouting religious square knot patch. Scouts will need to meet the basic requirements and the seven activities marked with a square knot in the guidebook. The religious square knot must be earned before a boy turns eleven-years-old. Once it is earned it should be awarded to him in a pack meeting.

The following diagram shows possible activity correlation between the Faith in God and Cub Scout activities. FAITH IN GOD AND CUB SCOUTING Possible Activity Correlations January 2004 FAITH IN GOD WOLF BEAR WEBELOS Basic Requirements Achievement 11 Achievement 1 Webelos Badge, Requirement 8 Learning and Living the Gospel Give a family home Achievement 11a Achievement 1 Webelos Badge, evening lesson on Requirement 8 Joseph Smith‘s First Vision . . . Read D&C 89. Achievement 11b, c Achievement 9c, g Activity Badge: Discuss how Fitness Heavenly Father blesses us when we faithfully live the Word of Wisdom . . . Prepare a pedigree Achievement 11 Achievement 8d Webelos Badge, chart . . . Requirement 8 Serving Others Write a letter to a Elective 21b Achievement 18b Communicator 11 teacher, your parents, or your grandparents . . . Plan, prepare, and Achievement 8c, e Achievement 9c, g Family Member 11, serve a nutritious Fitness 3, meal. Outdoorsman 8 Developing Talents Learn to sing, play, or Elective 11d, Elective 8 Activity Badge: lead a song from the e, f Showman 8, 9 Children’s Songbook . . . Visit an art museum Achievement 10c, f Achievement 10a Activity Badge: or attend a concert, Showman 17, play, or other cultural Naturalist 4 event. . . .

Diagram obtain from the Church‘s website at the following link http://www.lds.org/pa/images/11_primarychart.pdf

Primary scouting position duties and training requirements

When calling Cub Scout leaders it is important that the newly called leader is provided with some information on their calling responsibilities. The new leader should be provide with the Church‘s Scouting Handbook and the appropriate section(s) of the Church Handbook of

Instructions. Ward Primary presidents should be provided with Church Handbook of

Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders. The Church has prepared separate publications of the individual sections which can be given to the appropriate leaders. Primary leaders should receive a copy of the Primary, Activities, and Gospel Teaching and Leadership sections. They should also receive a copy of the appropriate Cub Scout handbooks.

The following pages contain a position description for the eleven-year-old scout leader.

Position descriptions for the cub leader positions can be obtained from Chartered Representative

Guidebook by David L. Olpin found at http://www.mormonscouting.com/Guidebooks/WardCharter.pdf. These descriptions can be modified to accommodate your ward‘s vision of the position.

The descriptions are intended only as an initial guide. It is important that leaders are registered immediately with BSA in their appropriate position and that they immediate start to accomplish the BSA training courses.

Eleven-Year-Old Scouts Leader/Assistant Scoutmaster

Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. D&C 107:99

The Purposes of Your Calling: Through your ward outlined Scouting Program, help the assigned boys in your ward, age 11, achieve the purposes of LDS Scouting, to include preparing to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and the "Aims of Scouting‖ which are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Eleven-Year-Old Scout Leader / Assistant Scoutmaster Roles and Responsibilities  Register with the Boy Scouts of America, wear the scout leaders uniform and complete required training for your position.  Get to know and become closely aware of all 11-year-old scouts.  Train and guide boy leaders.  When possible, be a shadow leader to the young men, thereby helping them develop their leadership capabilities.  Work with other responsible adults to bring scouting to boys.  Use the eight Methods of Scouting to achieve the Aims of Scouting.  Meet regularly with the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) for training and coordination in planning patrol activities.  Plan a year of patrol activities; then plan and carry out a definite calendar for at least three months. There should be monthly weekend activity. Plan activities with a priesthood purpose.  Participate in a multiple-day dap camp organized by the Council, District, Stake or Ward.  Attend all patrol meetings or when necessary arrange for a qualified adult substitute.  Attend troop committee meetings.  Conduct periodic parents‘ sessions to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation.  Take part in annual membership inventory and uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation.  Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements as assigned by Scoutmaster.  Provide a systematic recruiting plan for new members and see that they are promptly registered.  Delegate responsibility to other adults and groups (assistants, troop committee) so that they have a real part in troop operations.  Make it possible for each scout to experience at least 3 days and nights of camping each year.  Participate in council and district events. Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature.  Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and the policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America  Maintain a personal achievement record on each young man.  Through the scout adult committee, provide tour permits for all outside the ward activities involving travel.  The Eleven-Year-Old Scouts function separately, but they sometimes coordinate with the troop.  Maintain at least two-deep leadership in all activities.  Report regularly to your designated member of the Bishopric.  Rule One: Make it fun!

Meetings/Activities to attend  Weekly Patrol meetings, and a monthly Scout planning meeting.  Monthly ward Key Scout Leaders Meeting.  Troop Committee meetings.  Monthly District Round Table.  Courts of Honor to receive awards earned.  District and Council Scout activities  General church meetings

Handbooks or supplemental materials available to help you: Church Handbook of Instruction Book 2, Section 5 (LDS); Scouting Handbook (LDS); Boy Scout Handbook (BSA); Scoutmaster Handbook; Troop Program Resources; Troop Program Features, Volumes. I, II, III; Flag Ceremonies; Council Calendar (BSA); Duty to God and On My Honor Awards forms (LDS). Boy Scout Fast Start Video #AV026

Keys to a successful ward scouting program

There are some keys that will assist with each ward to carry out a successful program.

These aren‘t all inclusive and depending on the unit they should be implemented in a manner to best serve the needs of the boys and the leaders.

Key 1 – The boy or young man is more important than the program

Remember the entire purpose of this program is the development of the individual young

man. Each youth is different and has different needs and goals. We need to be there to love

and support them. If the boys know they are loved, respected, and have a quality relationship

with their adults then it will be a successful program. The end goal isn‘t for each young man

to be an Eagle Scout but it is to help them to understand who they are and help them to

accomplish the purpose of the Aaronic Priesthood in their individual lives. Some young men

take the route of school sports and place their efforts there. There is nothing wrong with this

but the reality is they can do both. If they chose not to do the scouting that doesn‘t diminish

the effort that should be placed with this young man. You can show your love of them by

attending some of their other activities. Plan a youth activity night to attend their activities as

well. This will also help to demonstrate to them their worth in your eyes.

Years ago there was a story of a scouting unit that had planned a great outing. As time for

the event got closer, all the boys but one decided for some reason or another they could not

attend the event. The one boy who was planning to attend was very excited about the outing.

However he over heard the adults leaders discussing the activity where they made the

comment it wasn‘t worth doing for just one boy and so they were going to cancel it. This

devastated this young man and he never attended again.

Key 2 – Bishopric support

The scout program needs to receive 100% bishopric‘s support. The bishop and his

counselors should have a strong testimony of the Primary and Aaronic Priesthood programs

along with the scouting program. They should understand all scouting positions and the

relationship of Aaronic Priesthood to Primary.

They should attend the BSA scout training to learn about the different programs. This

sets the example to their leaders as well as helps them to understand what should be expected

of the leaders they call to work with the youth.

They should strive to get their best adult leaders working with the youth. Primary and the

Aaronic Priesthood (as well as young women‘s) isn‘t the place where you place someone you

are trying to activate, who doesn‘t have a strong testimony of the gospel, or isn‘t striving to

live the gospel in his or her daily life.

The bishopric should understand the importance of effectively issuing calling for

Scouting, Primary and Young Men leaders. This isn‘t a time to water down the calling just so

the person will accept it. They should adequately give the person a sense of what is expected

of them. Using the phrase, ―an hour a week is all it will take‖ should not be used. If this

leader really magnifies his/her calling he/she will spend a lot more time than an hour a week

to adequate perform his/her responsibilities working with the youth. The bishopric should

emphasize that this calling is a privilege and may not be easy but many youth will be

eternally grateful for their efforts. The person should know the training they are expected to

attend, with method (i.e. some internet, some via district) and timeframe by which they

should complete it.. If the person being called isn‘t willing to make the time commitment and

the effort to be trained, then maybe this calling is not right for him or her.

It would also be an appropriate to have these leaders fill out the BSA Scout application at this time. President Monson said the following related to this:

―No man is called to work with youth until his membership certificate is in the hands

of the bishop. In addition, no man is called to work in Scouting until he is fully

registered with the governing board (local council) of Scouting and his record merits

consideration for a call. This procedure has been expounded many times, yet wolves

continue to enter with the intent to destroy the flock. President Hinckley asked that I

stress tonight this instruction.‖ (Monson. ―In Harm‘s Way‖)

The person should be provide with Aaronic Priesthood (or Primary) and the Church scouting handbooks when they are called with a brief overview of what their responsibilities and duties will be based on what is outlined in these handbooks. They should also be provided with the other Scouting related handbooks they will need in their calling.

The bishopric should seriously consider leaving excellent leaders in for an extended time.

Just because the person is a great youth leaders, doesn‘t mean you need to release him to make him the elder quorum president.

The member of the bishopric who is registered as the charter organization representation should attend the district committee meeting and council meeting to represent their units and support their leaders with the district and council.

The bishopric members should try to attend pack meeting, court of honors, campouts, and other activities with their youth. One of their primary responsibilities is the youth and as such they should be associating with them in their weekly priesthood meetings and activities.

It is imperative that the bishopric understand and follow the guidelines and policies outline in the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders,

the Church‘s Scouting Handbook, the Guide to Safe Scouting and BSA youth protection requirements.

Key 3 – Quality leaders

It is very important that quality leaders should be called to work with the youth. Elder

Ezra Taft Benson said the following:

“If we have the right kind of leadership through real boys‘ men, they will have it, enjoy

it, and receive the blessings which come from the program. The responsibility rests with

the priesthood—stake presidencies and bishoprics—to see that this leadership is provided

and that every boy is reached.‖ (Elder Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1951

26 Improvement Era 54 [June 1951], page 423)

Past Young Men general presidents have talked on the four T‘s of scouting which are:

o Testimony

o Time

o Tenure

o Training

How will the young men develop a strong testimony if their leaders do not have one?

This would be very difficult. There is a saying, ―I‘d rather see a sermon than hear one‖.

Leaders who have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ will demonstrate this in their daily lives and interaction with the young men.

These leaders need to have time for the youth. This calling is not just a one hour a week calling. There needs to be time to prepare lessons as well as attend the Sunday priesthood meeting and the weekly activity night. The adult leaders should be able to allocate time in their life for monthly campouts and a week to go to summer camp with their young men.

They should have time for presidency and leadership meetings with the young men. They should have time to go with the presidencies as they make regular visits to their quorum members and the welcome visits to new quorum members.

We need to ensure that quality leaders are left in their calling for an extended period of time. Once leaders have invested their time into being trained and learning the program they should be left there. President Dahlquist has stated that ―tenure‖ should really be spelled, ―ten years‖. It takes times to learn and become an effective youth leader. Even then there will always be room for improvements as we continue to best serve the needs of the young men.

The last ―T‖ is training. The Lord has admonished us to become trained and do our best in what we are asked to do. ―Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.‖ (D & C 107:99) Every boy deserves a trained leader. A leader who understands his/her calling and magnifies it daily.

Training is a very important part of the initial preparation and learning for all adults who are called to work with young men. The Church has stressed for many years the importance of having trained men and women as role models and friends for the young men. Trained leaders are better able to provide the best possible Primary, Aaronic Priesthood and scouting programs for the boys and young men in the Church. As we have better programs we will also have better prepared young men. President Dahlquist in his remarks about training stated the following:

―training is essential to all we do. A recent graduate from a trade school must

generally complete an apprenticeship before he can be employed. For a physician, it

is called residency and internship. All jobs requiring competency require training.

―In the United States and Canada, we have a wonderful partnership with the Boy

Scouts of America. Scouting in these countries provides a vital application phase of the learning process for our Aaronic Priesthood quorums. I have found an unexplained reluctance on the part of some priesthood leaders to implement fully

Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing as the activity arm of their quorums and to become trained themselves. Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone once said, ‗I do not believe that Varsity Scouting is on trial in the Church, nor is Boy Scouting, Cub Scouting, or

[Venturing]. But rather it is my firm belief that bishops, and the ward leaders, the advisers, Scoutmasters, Coaches, and [Venturing Advisors] are on trial. The program will work if they will work and become trained and put into effect the things they have been trained to do‘ (personal letter to Thane J. Packer, Oct. 7, 1997, in Thane J.

Packer, On My Honor: A Guide to Scouting in the Church, [Salt Lake City:

Bookcraft, 1998], 57).

―My experience has shown that this is true. As a newly called Scoutmaster, I think

I did a reasonable job. We accomplished much, advancement was passable, and we garnered a number of awards at our annual council Scout camp. But not until I finished my basic Scouting training and then Wood Badge training did I realize how much more we could have done to strengthen our boys. As a presidency, we believe training—both Aaronic Priesthood training and training in the Boy Scouts of

America—is vital to the success of an Aaronic Priesthood experience. In fact, in those parts of the world where Scouting is not a feasible partner, we must develop efforts to simulate that which Scouting does so well to support the Aaronic Priesthood and help young men accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. In that vein, Duty to

God was not intended to take the place of Scouting but is intended to help young men of the Aaronic Priesthood become better prepared to go to the temple, serve missions, and accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. Brethren, it is time we received the training that is there to help us become better priesthood and Young Men leaders and recognized that Scouting is a vital part of the Aaronic Priesthood activity program and can help greatly to build better-prepared missionaries, better husbands and fathers, help prepare our young men to receive the ordinances of the temple, and help reactivate those who have drifted.

The other day I was at the checkpoint for a 100-mile endurance run. I noticed, not unexpectedly, that not one of the runners was competing in flip-flops. They all had quality footwear because, to a great extent, their footwear would either make or break their experience during a very grueling 24- to 36-hour experience. To even think that someone would compete in such an event or in an Olympic event in flip-flops is unthinkable. Yet sometimes I think that in the Aaronic Priesthood it is as if we have purchased a $200 pair of running shoes that we then place on a shelf and then try running the marathon in flip-flops. Wouldn‘t it make more sense to use the wonderful, tried, and tested program in the way it was intended? I challenge each of us in these next six months to get with the program. Get those $200 running shoes down from the shelf, get trained, and then apply the program in the right way.‖

(Charles W. Dahlquist, II, Young Men General President‘s Message: ―Strengthening and Vitalizing Aaronic Priesthood Quorums,‖ September 2004, Open House, Salt

Lake City, http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,5431-1,00.html)

Key 4 – Functioning committees

Ensure that committees are called to provide the required support for the cub scout pack,

scout troop, varsity team and venturing crew. This will help to prevent burn out of the scout

leaders. It will also allow them to spend their time with the boys rather than doing the

administrative tasks that can be done by the committee. Some of the responsibilities of the

committee are:

o Advise the unit leader (cubmaster, den leader, scoutmaster, team coach, venturing advisor) on policies relating to scouting and the chartered organization. o Assist in transportation o Assure that a qualified substitute leader is assigned if the unit leader is absent or unable to serve o Assure that quality adult leadership is recruited and encourage adult leader training (called by bishop) o Carry out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America o Coordinate the friends of scouting campaign o Ensure that unit program provides a monthly outdoor program o Manage unit finances o Obtain and maintain equipment o Provide a spiritual tone for meetings o Recruit and involve unit committee members o Serve on board of review for scout troops. o Solve behavior problems that can‘t be resolved within the unit (governed by the program oath and guiding principles) o Support unit program delivery o Provides special needs and assistance to boys

Key 5 – Parental involvement

Get the parents involved in the program. Keep them informed on what is happening.

Many leaders assume that the boys will inform their parents of what is going on. This

generally isn‘t the case. The adult leaders and committee should take the responsibility to

keep the parents informed as to what is going on and how they can assist their boys in their

activities. It would be great if one parent of each boy is a member of the committee which

supports their son. Invite the fathers to attend the campouts and other outings. Invite parents

to court of honors, pack meetings and other special events.

Key 6 – Boy led/run program

Work to provide a youth run program in the scouting, varsity scouting and venturing

programs. Remember, this isn‘t something the adult leaders dump on the young men but it is

something they provided training in and then assist them with their responsibilities.

It is important to invest the time to train the youth. It may be easier in the short term to

just do it yourself but then the youth miss out on valuable leadership learning experiences.

This requires planning. Most youth can‘t pull something off at the last minute. They need to

plan well a head for each event. When a new leader is called initially the adult will provide

more support and then as the young man learns, the adult needs to slowly back off and expect

more of him.

Don‘t worry that at times things are chaotic and fall apart. Use these experiences for the

boys to evaluate what went wrong and how to make it better the next time. Let them learn

from their failures. At point is an article, ―Success through Failure‖ by Leonard Aamodt, in

the September 1988 of the Scouting Magazine (see Appendix D for copy of article.) He tell

of how he was scoutmaster and his son was elected senior patrol leader. They had planned a

major spring outing to hike and camp out on the Appalachian Trail.

His son had the task to prepare the menu but even though his father reminded him, he

didn‘t do anything to prepare. Mr. Aamodt said that he never did anything for a boy that he

could do for himself. The day before the outing his son got motivated to do his job but his

efforts were too little, too late.

They survived on the campout but even though they didn‘t starve, it wasn‘t much better.

On the way home he ended up traveling with just his son and his son asked, ―It wasn‘t too bad was it?‖ To which Mr. Aamodt responded ―I have never seen anything worse.‖ Nothing more was said regarding the incident. A while later they were preparing for their next major campout and his son gave out the assignment again and took the food again. Mr. Aamodt was tempted to override this decision but didn‘t like to do this for any of the youth leader so he left it to the boys to decided. He indicated that his son redeemed himself. He put lots of effort into planning and having the necessary food ingredients. They ate exceptionally well on that campout..

Mr. Aamodt stated that ―This experience taught me that sometimes success must come through failure, for failure is a powerful teacher. Since that time I have often let boys fail, never catastrophically, but with their capacity to recover. When we make life a continuing chain of artificial successes for any youngsters by making up for their failure to apply themselves, do we really help them? Are we teaching them that no matter how poorly they perform, everything will still turn out all right? Because life just isn‘t like that. I like to think that young people have to learn and profit from their mistake‖

Shadow leadership is an leadership style that should be practiced with the adult young men leaders. Some principles of shadow leadership are:

o Never do for a young man something he can do himself

o Young men conduct quorum and scout meetings

o Hold regular presidency meetings

o Young men conduct presidency meetings

o Adults train youth how to lead, then stand back

o Assist the youth to plan an annual calendar

o Hold periodic planning sessions to fine tune the annual plan

o Always have a three month calendar

o Work with the youth leader behind the scene, so that when he is with his peers he is in charge, and runs things.

Key 7 – One program, not three separate programs

It is important to understand that there really isn‘t a Duty to God night, a scouting night,

and an Aaronic Priesthood night. Scouting is the Activity Arm of the Priesthood and what is

done during the weekly activity night and monthly outings should re-enforce the lessons the

young men learn on Sunday. The programs should be blended together to function as one

program.

Key 8 – Monthly outings

Ensure that there are monthly outings. Do not take the ―outing‖ out of ―scouting‖.

For cub scouts this would be a day event or evening event.

For the 11-year-olds scouts they should have 3 campouts for some of the monthly events

and then other type of outings such as day hikes, swimming events or activities to do field

work for rank advancement or merit badge completion. They should also participate in a day

camp that covers multiple days.

For scouting and varsity scouting there should be a monthly campout with a long term

summer campout. For venturing there should be monthly high adventure activities with a

long term summer high adventure activity.

There needs to be an annual calendar so that the youth and adults can adequately prepare

for these activities. You do not want to have to cancel an outing at the last minute due to lack

of two-deep leadership. Invite the fathers to the activities and it would be great to ensure that

you have more than 2 adults lined up for each outing.

Key 9 – Activities planned with Aaronic Priesthood purpose

Ensure that all activities are planned with a purpose. Aaronic Priesthood activities should

help each young man accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood by giving him

experience in the following four areas of development as outlined in the Aaronic Priesthood:

Fulfilling Our Duty to God guidebooks: spiritual development; physical development;

educational, personal, and career development; and citizenship and social development.

One reason for activities is to provide opportunities for the leaders to grow close to the

young men. An adviser should have a private mental list of goals for each activity regarding

how he will use the opportunity to help each young man grow spiritually. Leaders should

spend a great deal of time developing good relationships with the young men and turning

them to the Lord.

Key 10 – Follow Guide to Safe Scouting and the Church safety guidelines

Ensure each leader has read the Guide to Safe Scouting and the Church safety guidelines.

All activities should comply with the Guide to Safe Scouting and Church safety guideline.

All activities should have adequate adult supervision (2-deep leadership) and if the activity

requires certified leadership (i.e. swimming, shooting, climbing) individuals with the

appropriate training/certification are in attendance to ensure everything is done is a safe

manner. Tour permits should be filed for all outings following BSA and the council

guidelines. The bishop should review and approval all activities and outings. Youth

protection requirements should be followed at all scouting and church activities and any

interaction between a youth and an adult.

Differences between the Church of Jesus Christ scouting units and traditional scouting units.

The BSA grants charters to local organization to use scouting under its own leadership, to serve families and youth for which the organization is concerned and to help the organization accomplish it own objectives. Each charter organization agrees to the following:

 Conduct scouting in accordance with its own policies and guidelines as well as those of the BSA.

 Include scouting as part of its overall program for youth and families.

 Appoint a chartered organization representative who is a member of the organization and will represent it to the scouting district and council, serving as a voting member of each.

 Select a unit committee of parents and members of the organization who will screen and select unit leaders who meet the organization‘s leadership standards as well as the BSA‘s standards.

 Provide adequate and secure facilities for scouting units to meet on a regular schedule with time and place reserved.

 Encourage the units to participate in outdoor experiences.

In keeping with the above guideline The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does use the program and comply with the charter requirements. However, they do things slightly different from other non-Latter-day Saint charter organizations. Some of these are:

 The program is based on the age of the youth rather than their year in school. The youth

move to the next level of the program based on their age.

 The Church does not support the Tiger program. Cub Scouts start at the age of 8.

 The Webelos program is a one year program rather than a two-year program and is for

youth who are 10-years-old.

 There is no church sponsored over night camping done by the Cub Scouts and Webelos.

 A boys moves from cub scouts to boy scouts when he turns 11 rather than when he

completes 5th grade or earns his Arrow of Light.

 The eleven-year-old Scout program is under the jurisdiction of the Primary organization

and as such operates separately from the scout troop.

 Eleven-year-old scouts are only allowed to go on 3 overnight campouts per year and

should not attend a week long resident camp with the troop during the summer. However,

eleven-year-old scouts can attend a multi-day day camp, equivalent in length to a resident

Boy Scout camp, where all activities in the resident camp are provided except the

overnight experience.

 The Venturing program is for 16- to 18-year-old young men and even though this can be

a co-ed program, young women are not to be registered in the crew.

 Typically the Church does not ―recruit‖ their scouting members – each boy or young man

between the age of 8 and 18 should be registered in the program that corresponds with

their age. Scouting is the activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood and the activity day

program for the Primary. The preceding statement doesn‘t preclude units from actively

recruiting youth of other faiths. This may be something beneficial to the unit especially

when there are only a few young men participating. ―Young men of other faiths who

agree to abide by Church standards should be warmly welcomed and encouraged to

participate in youth activities. Expenses for their participation should be paid in the same

way as for other youth.‖ (Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, Section 2, Aaronic

Priesthood, page 190)

 Church policy states that there should be no Sunday camping. Thus, in an area where

district and council events include Sunday as part of a weekend campout, The Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints‘ troops do not participate in the Sunday portion of the

campout. For long term summer camps where Sunday is included as part of the camp you

may see one of three things done depending on the bishop and/or stake president counsel.

1. The unit will show up to the camp early on Monday morning. 2. The unit will show up

to the camp per the guideline of the camp. 3. The unit will make arrangements to arrive at

the camp on Saturday afternoon, and provided a Sunday religious services at camp.

 The Church holds no activities on Monday evenings. The Church sets aside Monday

evening for ―Family Home Evening‖. The only exception would be the long term

summer camp.

 Each Latter-day Saint unit may have some differences because even though there are

church wide guidelines and policies, each ward bishop and/or stake presidency, may

provide local interpretations and implementation of the guidelines and policies.

 Generally speaking a ward charters a Boy Scout troop for the 11- to 13-year-old youth, A

Varsity team for the 14- to 15-old youth and a Venturing crew for the 16- to 18-year-old

youth.

 There are no dues collected. The Church provides a budget allowance for registration and

weekly scouting activities. The exception would be for a long term summer activity

where if budget allowances are not adequate the unit can have the boys earn money for

the activity or if this isn‘t sufficient support a fund raiser to raise needed funds. A fund

raiser can also be used if need to purchase equipment.

 In the Church, scouting leadership position are callings. They are issued by the bishopric.

Recommendations can be provided by the Primary presidency or Young Men presidency

over their group of scouting but the final decision remains in the hands of the bishopric.

 The committee supports the scouting unit and can make recommendation for leadership

positions but they have no authority to hire or fire leaders.

 By virtue of adults scout leadership positions being a calling, leaders may come and go

on a more frequent basis than in a traditional unit and at times there is a resistance to

leaders getting trained and getting involved at the district level.

 Many wards have functioning Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs but even when Varsity

teams and Venturing crews are chartered the emphasis tends to be toward the scouting

advancement.

Listing of Helpful Program Resources

Publications

The following are some publications that have information related to the Church‘s youth programs and how the BSA programs are used with the church. The BSA handbooks and publications are not included here but each leader should obtain all the handbooks and publication related to his/her BSA position.

Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders, 1998 –This publication published by the Church contains many sections related to the programs of the Church. The individual section have been broken out into separate publications to be used by the leaders based on their calling. The following sections are important for the leaders working with the youth programs: Section 2, Aaronic Priesthood Section 5, Primary Section10, Activities Section 16, Gospel Teaching and Leadership.

Scouting Handbook, 1997 –This publication is printed by the Church and contain the policies in how the programs of Boy Scouts of America are integrated in its‘ youth programs.

A Scouting Reference for Ward Leaders: A ready Compendium of Scouting Topics and issues for Bishoprics and other Ward and Stake Leaders, 2005 Edition.. This reference guide can be found at the http://www.lds- scouts.org/Resources/ScoutRefWardLdrs.pdf website.

Varsity Play Book: A quick look at the BSA Varsity Guide Book – This play book can be found at the www.ldsbsa.org website.

Varsity Play Book Addendum – This play book addendum can be found at the www.ldsbsa.org website.

Venturing Guide for LDS Leaders – This guide can be found at the www.ldsbsa.org website.

Web Resources The following websites contain useful information and resources that can help leaders to carrying out their responsibilities working with the youth. By no means is this every useful site but only some of the ones the author has used or found while searching for scouting related info.

It should be noted due to changes on the Internet there is no guarantee these websites will be available or in existent in the future.

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/ – This website contains information on the requirements for each cub scout and boy scout rank requirement. There are also many program helps for cub scouts and boy scouts.

http://www.nationalventuringcabinet.org/ – This the National Venturing Youth Cabinet website. It gives information about venturing, provide stories about others‘ activities, and publicize events. It has the national cabinet's activities, biographies, and their advice on what makes a successful crew or ship.

www.nega-bsa.org – This is the Northeast Georgia Council website. It contains information on the council and the districts. From this website there are links to the district websites. This site contains calendar items, flyers and forms.

http://chaselanevarsity.com/Home.aspx – This is the varsity team 6989 from Centerville, Utah website.

www.eTrailToEagle.com – This website contains an online troop advancement tracking system.

http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/trails/4281/codes.html – This is a listing of BSA position codes that can be used when registering as an adult leader.

groups.yahoo.com/group/Scouts-LDS – This is a group list that you can join. It host discussions regarding scouting and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are files that are useful at this site and you can ask other user questions and get their input.

www.lds.org – This is the Church‘s official website. This is a valuable resource for all Latter-day Saint leaders who work with cub scouts, boy scouts, varsity scouts, and venturing. From the homepage you should select the link to ―Serving in the Church‖. Under this link there are additional links to Primary and Aaronic Priesthood. There is a great deal of information related to the Church‘s youth programs here. You have both the religious information as well as scouting information on how it is used within the Church. www.ldsbsa.org – This is the website for the BSA/LDS Relationships office in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is an excellent resource for church information as it pertains to the Boy Scouts of America.. It contains newsletters, documents, and Latter-day Saint scout items that can be purchased. http://www.ldsposters.com/ – This website has Duty to God and Faith in God posters that can be purchased. www.ldsscouting.org – This website provides information that was developed in trying to strengthen Aaronic Priesthood related activity programs for Latter-day Saint young men in ward, stake, region, and the BSA scouting districts in the Taylorsville area of Salt Lake County, Utah and the Spanish Fork and Salem areas of Utah County, Utah. http://www.lds-scouts.org – This website provides information that was developed for use in the Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia and Northeast Region. There is a variety of resources on this website including the comprehensive document on scouting, A Scouting Reference for Ward Leaders: A ready Compendium of Scouting Topics and issues for Bishoprics and other Ward and Stake Leaders, 2005 Edition. www.meritbadge.org – This website contains information on merit badge requirements and resources related to the individuals requirements. It also contains information related to the cub scout, boy scout, varsity scout, and venturing advancement requirements. www.mormonscouting.com – This website contain Aaronic Priesthood and scouting startup guidebooks, job descriptions and support information for church and BSA programs. It was developed by David L. Olpin for the Provo Utah North Park Stake. www.mowogo.org – This website contains information for the mowogo lodge of the Order of the Arrow. This Lodge is affiliated with the Northeast Georgia council. http://www.mydutytogod.org/ – This website is a comprehensive management tool which assists parents, leaders and youth in tracking the young men Duty to God goals. http://netcommish.com/index.asp – This website contains resources for commissioners.

http://olc.scouting.org/index.html – This website is the BSA online learning center and provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help leaders improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program. www.scouting.org – This is the national Boy Scouts of America website and contains information on all aspects of the programs offered by BSA. http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/ – This website if for the Scouting Magazine which registered leader receive. http://www.theideadoor.com/ – This website contains resources related to the many programs of the Church to include young men, boy scout, and cub scouts. http://trax.boy-scouts.net/ – This website contains spreadsheets that can be used to track cub scouts, scouts and venturing scouts in advancement, attendance, etc. www.troopmaster.com – This website has information on software for leaders of boy scouts, girl scouts and cub scouts. There is a fee for this software. Troopmaster is a comprehensive software program that tracks both the adults and youth. You can track scout, varsity, venturing and Duty to God requirements with this software and prepare many useful reports. The author of this paper has used this software for over 6 years for advancement tracking and is very happy with the quality and functionality of the software. http://www.usscouts.org/ – This website has lots of information and resources on the cub scout, boy scout, varsity scout, venturing programs. The website was created by a group of dedicated volunteer scouters who have brought the resources of the internet to scouting and built an online community of resources to help all within our scouting organization. The U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. (USSSP for short) is not affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). However, they support the BSA and all of its programs. They operate the USSSP as a non-profit and as a public service to the scouting community. http://www.varsityscouter.org/ – This website contains a comprehensive resource for varsity scout leaders. It is hosted by the Great Salt Lake Council. http://www.venturing.info/ – This website has venturing news. It has links to other useful venturing related websites. www.woodbadge.org – This website contains information related to the BSA Wood Badge for the Twenty-First Century training course. This course is the most advanced training available for scout leaders who are involved in the programs of the Boy Scouts of America.

Conclusion

In conclusion the scouting program has been using within The Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints for almost 100 years. Many youth have been blessed by the youth program of the Church and are better prepare to be parents and productive citizens. These youth programs are more effective through the partnership the Church has developed with the Boy Scouts of

American and the uses of its‘ programs. A variety of information has been covered in this thesis with the hope that others may gain a better understanding of why and how The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints utilize the BSA programs to complement the Primary and Young Men program. The info herein just scratches the surfaces and it is hoped that Latter-day Saint leaders will study the Church‘s publications related to the youth programs as well as attend the BSA training to better be prepared to carry out an effective and successful program that will help the youth gain a stronger testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and be individuals with strong and desirable traits of character, citizenship and physical and mental fitness. It is also hoped that this may also provide an overview for leaders of other faiths as they associate with The Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints units.

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"Scouting in Primary (United States and Canada)." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 9 May 2008 .

"Statements by Church Leaders in Support of Scouting." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. 9 May 2008 .

Swensen, Jason. ―Scouting‘s Future Secure, More Relevant Than Ever.‖ Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. September 20, 2003.

"Varsity Scouting Fact Sheet.‖ The Boys Scouts of America. 9 May 2008 .

"Venturing Fact Sheet.‖ The Boys Scouts of America. 9 May 2008 .

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Appendixes

Appendix A - Statements by Church Leaders in Support of Scouting

The following quotes were taken from the wide world web at www.lds.org under Serving in the Church; Aaronic Priesthood / Young Men; Scouting; Statements by Church Leaders in Support of Scouting, The web link is: http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,5171-1,00.html

The First Presidency  "In January 2000, we introduced an Aaronic Priesthood Achievement program in areas outside the United States and Canada where Scouting was not available. The purpose of the program is to help young men prepare for the Melchizedek Priesthood, the temple endowment, a full time mission, marriage, and fatherhood. This program has now been adapted for use in the United States and Canada to include the important role of Scouting in the development of young men. The name has been changed to Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God. . . .

"We desire all young men to strive to earn the Eagle Scout and Duty to God Awards. We desire all young women to strive to earn the Young Womanhood Recognition. As youth work on these goals, they will develop skills and attributes that will lead them to the temple and prepare them for a lifetime of service to their families and the Lord" (First Presidency letter, Sept. 28, 2001).

President James E. Faust  "Scouting is an excellent program which develops character in young men. It has been my observation that those who attain the rank of Eagle are generally more successful in other pursuits throughout their lives. I am grateful for the influence of Scouting in my life and in the lives of my sons and grandsons."

Elder Robert D. Hales  "If you will fulfill the requirements for these priesthood duties and personal attributes, you will prepare yourselves for the Melchizedek Priesthood responsibilities and future challenges in your life. I promise you that your achievement of the Duty to God Award will provide you with a living testimony that will sustain you throughout your life.

"Where available, Scouting can also help you in this effort. We encourage you to participate in Scouting. Many of the Scouting requirements can fill goals and requirements of the Duty to God certificates.

"Scouting is part of the Aaronic Priesthood activity program. The Duty to God Award is a priesthood award, having requirements that will help you develop spiritually and fulfill your priesthood duties" (Ensign, Nov. 2001, 39).

Elder Cecil O. Samuelson  "Where Scouting is available, you will note that many of the Scouting requirements can fill necessary expectations for the Duty to God Award. Both Duty to God and Scouting activities teach us to 'be prepared' in 'every needful thing' (D&C 88:119). Achieving the Duty to God and Eagle Scout Awards . . . are complementary, not competitive" (Ensign, Nov. 2001, 42).

President Ezra Taft Benson, 13th President of the Church  "It is one of the choicest experiences in my life to serve in and participate in Scouting, which I have done for almost seventy years" ("When l Was Called as Scoutmaster," Boy Scout Satellite Broadcast, Salt Lake City, Feb. 14, 1988).

 "Young men, take full advantage of the Church programs. Set your goals to attain excellence in the achievement programs of the Church. Earn the Duty to God Award— one of our most significant priesthood awards. Become an Eagle Scout. Do not settle for mediocrity in the great Scouting program of the Church. . . .

"Give me a young man who has kept himself morally clean and has faithfully attended his Church meetings. Give me a young man who has magnified his priesthood and has earned the Duty to God Award and is an Eagle Scout. Give me a young man who is a seminary graduate and has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me such a young man, and I will give you a young man who can perform miracles for the Lord in the mission field and throughout his life" (Ensign, May 1986, 44–45).

 "Scouting is an integral part of the Church program for young men and complements Aaronic Priesthood quorum work. Where programs for Scout troops are available, please understand it is not an optional program. When we speak of Scouting we are referring to the Boy Scout troop, ages 11–14. A letter from the First Presidency and Presiding Bishopric to all Regional Representatives, stake presidents and bishops in the United States, dated June 20, 1975, indicated that the Venturing and Exploring programs were optional.

"The Boy Scout program, to an unusual degree, is educationally, socially, and spiritually sound. It builds character and spirituality and trains a boy for leadership and citizenship responsibility. Scouting teaches a boy to take care of himself and stand on his own two feet. Scouting is an inspired program for a demanding time, and that time is now!" (Address to the Young Men general presidency and board, Sept. 1979).

 "For 60 years it has been my pleasure to maintain contact with Scouting in one form or another. And I say to you this morning that Scouting is an inspired program. I believe Lord Baden Powell was inspired, I believe the young man who performed a good turn for W. D. Boyce, in London in a fog, was inspired. Through that good turn, Scouting came to America in 1910. In 1913 after a serious study the Mormon Church—as the first church in America to adopt Scouting—made it a part of their program for boys and young men, and I stand before you this morning grateful to the Lord for the great blessings of

Scouting in the lives of my own children, in the lives of thousands upon thousands of others" (Boy Scout Jamboree, July 1977).

 "Take time out to help build a bridge for that boy. . . . I have faith in the manhood of America; we will not let our boys down" (God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [1974], 215).

 "[Scouting's] purpose is: 1. Character building—to help to fill the need for men of shining honor. 2. Citizenship training—to help young men to develop an uncompromising love for America and its great concepts and institutions; to develop a strong attitude and determination of self reliance. 3. Leadership development—to help to answer the great need of leaders of capacity with high ideals. 4. Physical fitness—to help to beat down the tendency, if there is one, of physical deterioration. 5. Spiritual growth—American foundations and spiritual perpetuation of America are assured with spiritually inclined citizenry" ("Scouting: A Great American Partnership," Improvement Era, Feb. 1964, 101).

 "I would to God that every boy of Boy Scout age in America could have the benefits and the blessings of the great Boy Scout program. It is truly a noble program. It is a builder of character not only in the boys but also in the men who provide the leadership.

 "Scouting stresses service to others, and again this has a spiritual base. The Scout pledges to help other people at all times. Was it not the Master who said, 'Whosoever will be chief among you; let him be your servant'?" ( . . . So Shall Ye Reap [1960], 138).

President Spencer W. Kimball, 12th President of the Church  "I have enjoyed a long and respectful relationship with Scouting. I believe in its potential to motivate young men to live with effectiveness and integrity and to help them prepare for their manhood. . . .

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints stands firm in its commitment to youth, . . . to the families they themselves will one day form, and to every program and effort that seek to build and strengthen and enrich and ennoble youth. . . . We've remained strong and firm in our support of this great movement for boys and of the Oath and the Law which are at its center. . . . It is our understanding and belief that Scouting is still strongly centered in these duties and principles, and that there is a determination in its present leadership to strengthen them further. This being true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints affirms the continued support of Scouting and will seek to provide leadership which will help boys keep close to their families and close to the Church as they develop the qualities of citizenship and character and fitness which Scouting represents" (Ensign, May 1977, 36).

President Harold B. Lee, 11th President of the Church

 "May I say to you: Scouting will be successful in this Church only as it relates to and maintains a definite relationship with the Aaronic Priesthood. May I put it in a negative way and say that when Scouting fails to be the activity program for the priesthood, it will cease to be a functioning part of the Church program. . . . The more our Church relationships representatives understand that, from the head of this Aaronic Priesthood right down to the grassroots in the wards and the stakes and the branches, the more perfectly we will begin to define that relationship and the more successful and acceptable Scouting will be" (June 1968).

President George Albert Smith, 8th President of the Church  "Every boy of twelve years is eligible for the Boy Scout organization which has become a part of the M.I.A. program. Here he does, under specially selected leadership, what Scouts do elsewhere. At the time when babies are most easily formed, he learns to be God fearing, obedient to authority, considerate of others, honorable in his conduct, in short, to lay a foundation upon which worthy manhood maybe built. Scout work in this Church is not different from that of other communities, except that it is correlated with the duties of the deacons' quorum, to which every properly trained boy of twelve is expected to belong" (April 1930).

President N. Eldon Tanner, Former Counselor in the First Presidency  "As I have said, Scouting is officially recognized as part of the Church program. Let's make it work. Now, having been a bishop, a stake president, a General Authority, and a Scout for 50 some-odd years and as a Scoutmaster, Commissioner of Scouting, and member of the executive board of Scouting, being in all those positions and being associated with Scouting in every one of them, I want to bear testimony to the importance of Scouting in the Church. As a boy 14 years of age, I first joined and worked with our troop. That was a long time ago, and with that close association, I want to say to you as Scouters and you as bishops—I wish I had all the bishops of the Church here and all stake presidents of the Church, particularly those who are not converted—I want to say that this Scout movement helps build the kingdom of God, it helps us with the priesthood program. Scouters, through the Scout program, can go out and reach boys that cannot be reached otherwise. The President of the Church recognizes that. That is one of the reasons the program was officially recognized and accepted as a part of the Church program. And when we realize that, brethren, let us go out and save those boys" (June 1968).

Elder Mark E. Petersen, Former Member of the Quorum of the Twelve  "If Scouting would not make better Latter day Saints, we would not have Scouting in the Church. But because Scouting does make boys better Latter day Saints, we take it into the Church. . . . You cannot divorce Church work from Scouting. When you are building Scouting in your boys, you are building the work of God and helping to establish the kingdom on the earth."

Elder F. Melvin Hammond, Former Young Men General President  "Scouting has been adopted as the activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood in the United States of America. It is a marvelous program of adventure and learning. In Scouting boys

learn outdoor skills, they acquire leadership abilities, they endure physical challenges, and they build within themselves strong and noble character traits. We want every young man from the age of eight, when he becomes a Cub Scout, to the age of sixteen to be enrolled in Scouting, and we encourage those boys sixteen through seventeen to be involved in Venturing. Their goal should be to earn the coveted Eagle Scout Award" (Area Auxiliary Training, Oct. 8, 2003).

 "Every seminary and institute student should come to understand that doctrinal knowledge of the gospel, when accompanied by the Spirit of Truth and total commitment, will change their lives and prompt them to . . . complete their Duty to God and, where Scouting is available, achieve the top award. Too many teachers fail to see the link between these inspired programs and spiritual living" (CES Satellite Training Broadcast, Aug. 2003).

 "The Scouting program of the Church with its wonderful activities has strengthened our young men. As they advance from a Tenderfoot Scout through the various ranks, until they achieve their Eagle Scout Award, they grow in stature and in spirit. Their bodies are developed physically. They learn outdoor skills that test their character and their intellect. Every boy, whether he enjoys athletics or literature, can find a welcome niche in Scouting.

"If someone questions the position of the Church in Scouting, I always remind them of these words, 'On my honor I will do my duty to God and my country. . . ." Once again duty becomes paramount. A commitment is made by each Scout; he has given his word of honor, that he will do all in his power to uphold Heavenly Father and keep His commandments. A love of country, with a desire to maintain freedom and liberty, is established in a boy's mind, and it never leaves him during the course of his life. I thank God for Scouting" ("Fulfilling Our Duty to God" [unpublished], Jan. 2002).

 "Duty to God embraces Scouting, which is wonderful for our young men. I see no conflict at all between Duty to God and Scouting. Duty to God focuses more on the spiritual—bringing young men to Christ. Scouting is primarily an activity program with some spirituality as well. They are complementary to one another.

"Most young men going through the Scouting program get their awards by the time they are 14–15 years old. After that, it becomes more difficult to excite young men about Scouting. Duty to God will help bridge that gap" (Ensign, Jan. 2002, 9).

 "[The Duty to God program] started some years ago internationally to help young men through the Aaronic Priesthood years, to fill in where Scouting was not available, and to help develop their testimonies and understanding of the gospel and to help young men come to Christ. . . .

"Our effort was to find something that would be compatible with priesthood principles and also with Scouting. Duty to God embraces Scouting, which is wonderful for our young men. . . . Duty to God focuses more on the spiritual—bringing young men to

Christ. Scouting is primarily an activity program with some spirituality as well. They are complementary to one another" (New Era, Jan. 2002, 13, 15).

 "It is vital that you [thousands of Latter-day Saint Scouts participating in the 2001 National Jamboree] march the path from Tenderfoot to Eagle Scout and continue on to serve a full time mission. You have to stretch to prepare to be a full time missionary. Scouting will help in the stretching . . . especially attending a sacrament meeting in the pouring rain like at this National Jamboree" (2001 National Jamboree).

Elder Robert K. Dellenbach, Former Young Men General President  "In the Scout Oath, we pledge our 'Duty to God.' All Latter day Saint Scouters, whether young or old, have a duty and a responsibility to defend the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, we are taught that our duty to God supersedes everything else. Through Scouting we learn to be honest, morally clean, trustworthy, and dependable. Some of my fondest memories as a youth are those wonderful experiences I had in Scouting. My Scoutmaster taught me the gospel as well as the adventures of Scouting. How grateful I am that this wonderful organization of Scouting has a strong commitment to the values and principles taught to us by the Savior, Jesus Christ.

"May we always be ready to do our duty to God and keep the commandments in our Scouting and in our everyday life. . . .

"One of the major reasons why the Church accepts the Scouting program as part of the activity program for the Aaronic Priesthood quorums is that it provides so many marvelous opportunities to learn and do things. The whole design of getting merit badges and your Eagle Award is to help you grow both in knowledge and in the proper character development" (National Jamboree, Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, July 29, 2001).

Elder Jack H. Goaslind, Former Young Men General President  "We encourage our leaders to put their energies into using Scouting to help accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood, and in being positive in their support of all young men. The Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan complement the achievement of the Aaronic Priesthood purposes we feel are so important in the lives of the young men."

Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, Former Young Men General President  "There are four things that are absolutely essential in a great Scout leader. I call them the four T's: 1. Testimony—that they have a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Atonement, and that this Church is God's Church. 2. Trained—they need to be trained, not only by the Church, but as well by Boy Scouts of America within the districts and council. 3. Time—they need to have time to be a leader of boys. 4. Tenure—short tenure if they don't enjoy the work and are not willing to put in the time necessary, and long tenure if they love the young men and want to serve them with all their hearts and souls."

Elder Robert L. Backman, Former Young Men General President  "The bishop's most positive impact on youth comes in informal settings, activities, Scouting, service projects, athletics—real life settings where they get to know him as a man. . . . ". . . Scouting provides a tested, proven program for us to use in holding our young men close to the Church. It appeals to boys. Its trail to the Eagle rank helps a young man set worthwhile goals, then realize them. For some reason there is a direct correlation between young men who achieve the Eagle rank and those who serve missions. . . .

"Its camping, hiking, and high adventure provide marvelous opportunities for our young men to enjoy a man's experience with men, building wholesome relationships between youth and adult leaders, something that happens too seldom in our day. Becoming a man is more than chronological. It involves proving the young man's manhood, testing his mettle, challenging the world, demonstrating he can accomplish more than he thought he was capable of. That's what builds character and manliness" (Ensign, Nov. 1982, 39–40).

 "On May 21, 1913, the Church entered wholeheartedly into that partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. Oh, we've had a few pauses along the way a few years back, which we're just recovering from, but I want you to understand that partnership is firm today. Did you know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the largest user of all other religious organizations using the Scouting program? Doesn't that make you proud to be a part of this great organization? Talk about the wallop we have, you see what I mean. And in return, Scouting has carefully guarded its relationship with its partners. That's what's unique about the Boy Scouts of America. It provides the program. We provide the leadership in the manner in which we use it and they don't interfere in that, despite some of the things they might like to see happening" (University of Utah, Oct. 1978).

Bishop Victor L. Brown, Former Presiding Bishop  "We are grateful for our long and fruitful association with Scouting and for the beneficial effects on the lives of the young men when priesthood leaders effectively use Scouting to assist the work of the Aaronic Priesthood. We want to reaffirm our wholehearted support of Scouting. Of all the organizations in the U.S.A. having to do with boys, we feel this is the finest throughout the nation, and we have no question but what BSA adds a great dimension to the activity of our young boys" (1972).

Appendix B - Church News Interview of Elder F. Melvin Hammond

The following Church News interview was taken from the wide world web at www.lds.org under Serving in the Church; Aaronic Priesthood / Young Men; Scouting; Church News Interview of Elder F. Melvin Hammond, The web link is: http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,5110-1,00.htm.

What's the future of Scouting in the Church? Are the anchoring principles of the Boy Scouts of America—which began its association with the Church nearly a century ago— still relevant? And how can parents and priesthood leaders help Latter-day Saint boys succeed in Scouting?

Elder F. Melvin Hammond of the Seventy addressed these and related questions in an interview with the Church News that was published in "Scouting's Future," Church News, Sept. 20, 2003. At the time of the interview, Elder Hammond was serving as Young Men general president.

Church News: Can you comment on the ongoing relationship between the Church and the Scouting program?

Elder Hammond: I think there's no question that at this period of time the relationship between the Church and Scouting is on solid ground. We have had a great relationship with Scouting. We understand the challenges Scouting is having and we see that all around us. Most of it has to do with the gay issue. Another factor that we're facing almost constantly now is the idea of "duty to God"—The Scout Oath, On my honor, I will do my duty to God and my country. There are challenges on that basis.

A number of years ago a committee was formed, of which I was a part, to look at the stance of Boy Scouts of America with regard to those two negative issues that I just mentioned. The committee came back with three resolutions that simply said: We still support emphatically the timeless values of Scouting. If there are councils that want to violate those timeless values then, in effect, we just will not charter them. We won't renew their charter. Of course they have the freedom to do what they want, but if they do it they won't be part of Scouting.

Church News: There are rumors that the Church is planning to part ways with the Scouting program. Can you address that?

Elder Hammond: It's a pure rumor. I think the rumor arose out of the creation and implementation of the [Church's Aaronic Priesthood] Duty to God program. The Duty to God program was not meant in any way to diminish Scouting in the Church. It was meant to complement Scouting and they work hand-in-hand beautifully. One of the primary reasons for the Duty to God program was to pick up the slack for a boy after he gets his Eagle Scout award. And, of course, the Scouting program is a national program. The Duty to God is an international and a national program.

Church News: How can being a good Scout better prepare a young man to fulfill his Aaronic Priesthood duties?

Elder Hammond: I don't think there is anything that does more for a boy to develop in him a manly character than Boy Scouts of America. It teaches him endurance and skills that he really can't get any other place. As a boy goes through his quorums in the Aaronic Priesthood, the Scouting program is a wonderful activity arm that strengthens him. Not only physically but mentally and, unitedly with the priesthood quorum, spiritually. They are very compatible. A good Boy Scout, in my opinion, becomes a better priesthood bearer.

Church News: Have you seen a correlation between an LDS boy's success in Scouting and subsequent success in the mission field and future Church callings?

Elder Hammond: We have seen that. It is, without question, a benefit for a young man to go through the Scouting program. Boys who earn their Eagle Scout Award almost always are better missionaries and know what it means to stick to something. We find very few young men that weaken in the mission field who have been Eagle Scouts.

Certain missions of the Church have some interesting and challenging environmental and social problems to deal with. We've found Boy Scouts are truly prepared. Cooking their own meals, even on an open fire in some places. Dealing with the lack of sanitary facilities. Scouts just seem able to cope with these things because they've been trained in them.

Church News: What can parents and Aaronic Priesthood leaders do to help their sons and quorum members succeed in Scouting?

Elder Hammond: The success of any boy in almost any program has a great deal to do with what parents and priesthood leaders do to help him. There are very few self-starters in this world—but there are a lot of young men that, with encouragement, really excel.

If a parent will get behind a boy in Scouting and in the Duty to God program he will succeed. If he doesn't have that help—that wonderful help from parents—then it's a more difficult road for him.

If parents don't help, then priesthood leaders have to pick up the slack, and thank goodness that we have wonderful priesthood leaders that are willing to do that. But, oh, for great parents who will get behind a boy and encourage and help him. Would that every boy had that.

Church News: Scouting has been around for many decades. During that time, our society has changed much. Do you feel Scouting is still relevant in today's ever-shifting world?

Elder Hammond: I certainly do. The Scouting program started in the Church in 1913. We were the first charter organization in Boy Scouts of America. Certainly things have changed. Times have changed. Computers have come into existence. Video games have come into existence. But I still believe that every young man enjoys some sort of outdoor experience. Most of them thrive on it. I've often said that Duty to God and Scouting have a niche for every boy, no matter what his interests are. There are now merit badges that will challenge him with mental and skill-type

orientations that fit computers. I think every boy, every single one, can find a place in Scouting and certainly in the Duty to God program if he is given the opportunity.

Church News: So those principles embraced in, say, the Scout Oath and Scout Motto also remain relevant?

Elder Hammond: Maybe more than ever before. I support them and the boys support them. I went to a Jamboral a few months ago in Blackfoot, Idaho. Those boys—there were about 12,000 of them—marched out in that fairground carrying the flag of the United States of America. They were singing and marching. They were so filled with love and the desire of activity. It was a great day for them.

[Recently] I was in Virginia at a Boy Scout encampment. A bunch of boys said, "Come and go horseback riding with us." They didn't know that I was an old cowboy from Montana. So I went horseback riding with them for about 40 minutes. They had the time of their lives. They did things that were related to the scriptures [that] strengthened them in every way. I've never had a better time than I did with those boys. Elder Hammond: The young men of the Church are the treasure of the Church—the young men and the young women. Whatever it takes, if we can save our boys and make them men and raise them up with standards and character. That's what this Church and these programs are all about.

(Swensen, Jason. ―Scouting‘s Future Secure, More Relevant Than Ever.‖ Church News. September 20, 2003. )

Appendix C - Aaronic Priesthood--Scouting Satellite Broadcast, Saturday, May 12th, 2007

The following talk transcripts were taken from the wide world web at www.lds.org under Serving in the Church; Aaronic Priesthood / Young Men; Instructional Resources; Orientation of New Leaders and Continued Development; Aaronic Priesthood Training Videos

Bishop H. David Burton Presiding Bishop

"The Aaronic Priesthood in the Here and Now"

We are delighted to join with you in this satellite broadcast to discuss matters very dear to our hearts---Aaronic Priesthood and young men. We are grateful for the presence of stake presidencies, bishops, bishops' counselors, Young Men presidencies, and others vitally interested in our young men. We are thankful for the fathers and sons choir, which opened the broadcast with "See the Mighty Priesthood Gathered." I'm grateful for the technology that allows us to be gathered together.

Following my remarks, we will hear from Brother Charles Dahlquist, Young Men general president. Brother Dahlquist will be followed by a discussion led by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We will once again hear from the fathers and sons choir singing a medley including "If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not" and "Rise Up, O Men of God."

Indeed we live in an exciting time. I have often contemplated the thrilling moments that surrounded the sacred events of the gospel's Restoration and the formation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No doubt they were important and even electrifying periods in Church history. But as stirring as that period was, I'm convinced that the here and now, 2007, is the most exciting time to be alive.

Why is the here and now the most exciting time to live? In part it centers on the technological miracles of the day. But the far greater part centers on the fulfillment of divine prophecy as the gospel of Jesus Christ rolls forward around the world at an accelerating pace. To see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ connect with the souls of men and women all around this planet and witness the great surge of growth in His kingdom is amazing. Yes, it is a spectacular time to live and an exciting time to be serving in His Church.

It is exciting to be a player in the quest to build faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in the hearts and souls of our Father in Heaven's children. It is exciting to be part of a team that supports and strengthens families. It is exciting to assist parents of young men as they prepare them to magnify Aaronic Priesthood duties, receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, serve missions, receive the blessings of the temple, and ultimately be successful fathers and patriarchs. The Lord has reserved the best, brightest, most devoted and obedient young men to come forward to carry out

His purposes at this exciting and challenging time. I pray that you will have feelings of excitement as together we focus on important aspects of our participation in this divine process.

Bishops, you play quarterback in the process of helping parents prepare their young men for the blessings and challenges that await them. Your team members, consisting of counselors, clerks, Young Men presidency, ward mission leader, auxiliary leaders, and priesthood quorums, are eager to get in the game. You have been entrusted with the team's "playbook" and are responsible to carry out the game plan. By virtue of your ordination and setting apart, you have been given important priesthood keys and responsibilities. One of the responsibilities placed on you is that of president of the Aaronic Priesthood, as well as president of the priests quorum.

On occasion the Aaronic Priesthood is referred to by other names. Sometimes it is identified as the lesser priesthood because it is an appendage to the Melchizedek Priesthood,1 and sometimes it is called the preparatory priesthood because it prepares its holders to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, in which they can partake of the blessings of missions, the temple, and so on. On occasion it is referred to as the Levitical Priesthood. This name bears great historical significance that we should understand as we pursue our Aaronic Priesthood responsibilities.

Using the words of President Boyd K. Packer to describe the importance of the name Levitical Priesthood, I quote:

"The word Levitical comes from the name Levi, one of the twelve sons of Israel. Moses and Aaron, who were brothers, were Levites.

"When the Aaronic Priesthood was given to Israel, Aaron and his sons received the presiding and administrative responsibility. The male members of all other Levite families were put in charge of the ceremonies of the tabernacle, including the Mosaic law of sacrifice.

"The law of sacrifice had been observed since the days of Adam. It was symbolic of the redemption that would come with the sacrifice and the atonement of the Messiah. The Mosaic law of sacrifice was fulfilled with the crucifixion of Christ.

|v10 "Anciently they looked forward to the atonement of Christ through the ceremony of the sacrifice. We look back to that same event through the ordinance of the sacrament.

"Both sacrifice before, and the sacrament afterward, are centered in Christ, the shedding of His blood, and the atonement He made for our sins. Both then and now the authority to perform these ordinances belongs to the Aaronic Priesthood.

"This is indeed a sacred responsibility and includes you in a brotherhood with those ancient servants of the Lord."2

I suspect there may be some of you, bishops particularly, who are asking yourselves questions like, "Is Bishop Burton suggesting we have need to pick up the pace of Aaronic Priesthood--

related service? If so, how do I accommodate all the aspects of my assignment? If I devote more time to the Aaronic Priesthood, where does my own life, my wife, my family, and my employer fit into the scheme of things?"

I am suggesting that Aaronic Priesthood work needs our attention. From my experience, I know a little about the many responsibilities you bishops face and the need to satisfy obligations to wife, family, and employer. I also know that far too many of our young men are not realizing their full priesthood potential. Many families need to be spiritually strengthened. Many young men are in need of having their fragile faith in the Lord Jesus Christ reinforced. Time is short, but the need is great.

Perhaps a simple suggestion about priorities could be helpful to assist you in accomplishing the most important aspects of your assignment while appropriately caring for your family and employer.

A number of years ago, someone grouped the many responsibilities of a bishop into a few convenient categories. Included were the following: common judge, presiding high priest, president of the Aaronic Priesthood, person in charge of providing for the poor, receiver of the tithes and offerings, and---more recently---leader responsible for ward missionary activities. All of the categories contain important and even critical tasks that need to be accomplished. What does a bishop, with a finite amount of time to devote to his work, do to make certain all important tasks are completed? For most bishops, the answer centers on delegation with accountability. Get all the players in involved in the game. Give team members responsibility and have them be accountable. For some, delegation is difficult, because it runs counter to the expectations some members have of their marvelous bishops. For many the question then becomes, "What tasks can I delegate, and what do I need to accomplish myself?" All of the six categories mentioned require the attention of the bishop, but we note that two require the bishop's direct, personal involvement, while the remaining four can largely be delegated to counselors, clerks, quorum leaders, Relief Society leaders, and home and visiting teachers. With appropriate delegation, a bishop may find more time for those tasks that only he is empowered to do, such as those related to his roles as president of the Aaronic Priesthood and common judge. The remainder of the team can give much valued service as well.

Hopefully, with delegation, the president of the priests quorum can find time to be fully vested in quorum meetings and activities. The same could be said for bishops' counselors and Young Men presidencies. Ideally the president of the priests quorum and bishops' counselors would have time to cultivate personal relationships with quorum members and thereby gain insight and understanding as to their needs and challenges. To assess the adequacy of your involvement with the Aaronic Priesthood quorums, ask yourselves the following: "How long has it been since I stayed for the entire quorum meeting? When did I last attend Mutual for the whole evening? Am I deferring one-on-one interviews because of time?" Your answers to questions such as these, along with the inspiration you are entitled to, will give you an indication about the adequacy of your involvement with the Aaronic Priesthood.

One evening when I was a young man, I responded to an invitation to visit with my bishop. He was endeavoring to help me understand that it was far more important to respond to a mission

call than to pursue a career in golf. After the appointment, I quietly entered the rear door of our home. I could hear my parents talking in the living room. My mother was expressing concern to my father about me and her perception that I was not planning on a mission and that I would not respond favorably to an invitation to serve. My dad, knowing that the bishop was working with me, said: "Oh, Blanche, don't worry. The boy will make the right decision." I did end up in far- off Australia, and what a wonderful experience and a life-changing two years it was for me. In a far simpler time, my bishop took the time to know me better than I knew myself. I'll be eternally grateful to the president of my priests quorum!

Youth is an excellent period of life for learning. It is a time when young, fertile minds can absorb much---good or challenging. We ask, "What should a young man learn or glean from his time as a holder of the Aaronic Priesthood?" Many items of learning could be mentioned, but I note just three. All of the spiritual lessons young men need can best be taught in the home; all can be lived in the home; all can be reinforced and strengthened in priesthood quorums and in fulfilling priesthood assignments.

First, Aaronic Priesthood young men should understand the importance of making and keeping covenants. We are a covenant people. Since the days of Adam, our Father in Heaven has dealt with his children via covenants. When the gospel was restored, the new and everlasting covenant was reaffirmed. Covenants made at baptism and when the priesthood is conferred are part of the new and everlasting covenant. Covenants made when receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and when receiving holy temple ordinances are also part of the new and everlasting covenant. All covenants bundled together are referred to as the new and everlasting covenant. These covenants are new because they apply to our day and everlasting because they are eternal in nature. Covenants consist of mutual pledges between God and man. We promise to keep His commandments, and He promises certain blessings. Young men need to understand that great obligation follows the making of covenants. President Spencer W. Kimball stated, with respect to priesthood covenants: "One breaks the priesthood covenant by transgressing commandments--- but also by leaving undone his duties. Accordingly, to break this covenant one needs only to do nothing."3

Second, The Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, while engaged in the work of translating the Book of Mormon plates, determined they should inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins. While they were praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended, laid his hands upon them, and ordained them, saying, "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."4 Aaronic Priesthood young men should understand they are entitled to the presence of ministering angels, coupled with officiating in the outward ordinances. Elder Dallin H. Oaks explains what it means to hold the key of ministering of angels and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism, and the remission of sins. He states: ―The meaning is found in the ordinance of baptism and in the sacrament. Baptism is for the remission of sins, and the sacrament is a renewal of the covenants and blessings of baptism. Both should be preceded by repentance. When we keep the covenants

made in these ordinances, we are promised that we will always have His Spirit to be with us. The ministering of angels is one of the manifestations of that Spirit.‖5

Third, young men of the Aaronic Priesthood should acquire an understanding of what priesthood authority is. President John Taylor taught that the priesthood "is a pattern of things in the heavens" and the means "through which the blessings of God flow to his people on the earth."6 Others have said that priesthood is the unseen power and authority of God delegated to man. I like the simple explanation President Boyd K. Packer used in addressing the young men of the Church in a 1981 general priesthood meeting. He said:

"I want to tell you about the unseen power of the Aaronic Priesthood. . . .

"Some think that unless a power is visible it cannot be real. I think I can convince you otherwise. Do you remember when you foolishly put your finger in that light socket? While you did not see exactly what happened, surely you felt it!

"No one has ever seen electricity, not even a scientist with the finest instruments. However, like you they have felt it. And we can see the results of it. We can measure it, control it, and produce light, and heat, and power. No one questions that it is real simply because he cannot see it.

"Although you cannot see the power of the priesthood, you can feel it, and you can see the results of it."7

President Hinckley has stated: "We cannot be ordinary people. We must rise above the crowd. We must stand a little taller. We must be a little better, a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more courteous, a little more thoughtful, a little more outreaching to others."8 Young men, holders of the Aaronic Priesthood, can and will rise to higher levels with priesthood leaders who are committed to teach and assist.

The launch and the conclusion are the two most important parts of any endeavor. The Aaronic Priesthood is the spiritual launch for a young man's life. If successful, great blessings will follow. If not successful, the spiritual flight through life may be jeopardized, and the triumph of the landing may be impaired.

May our Father in Heaven inspire us as we reach out with love and concern to this royal generation of youth, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes 1. D&C 107:14. 2. In Conference Report, Oct. 1981, 45; or Ensign, Nov. 1981, 31. 3. The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball (1982), 497. 4. Joseph Smith---History 1:69. 5. "The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 37. 6. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor (2001), 12. 7. In Conference Report, Oct. 1981, 43; or Ensign, Nov. 1981, 30. 8. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 149.

Charles W. Dahlquist II General Young Men President

What a great blessing to hear from Bishop Burton. I have taken some notes for my own personal calling, and I hope you have as well.

I have always felt that the best way to strengthen the Melchizedek Priesthood is to begin with the deacons. Now, if President Faust were here, he would say, "It begins earlier than that . . . in the Primary."

And he would be right.

That's why it is so important for each family and every ward to begin preparing young men for the Aaronic Priesthood early, to point them toward the temple and a full-time mission when they are yet young, and to have effective annual priesthood previews, involving both the Primary and the deacons quorum presidencies.

I am grateful to participate in this historic satellite broadcast. So far as I know, this is the first time in the history of the Church that this has ever occurred. It was just 100 years ago this year that Scouting was born---the child of British general Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Scouting now has over 28,000,000 members worldwide, and this year we will join with Scouts and Scouters from all over the world in England to celebrate 100 years of world Scouting.

It was in 1913 when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adopted Scouting as a vital activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood. Since then literally hundreds of thousands of young men---from Cubs to Venturers---from California to Maine, and from Victoria to Halifax---have had their lives changed for good as they have participated in the Scouting program. They have not only learned life skills but have become men of character and integrity.

They have learned the meaning of being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. They have learned to do a good turn daily and to be prepared---all consistent with the teachings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

As a young Cub Scout in Boise, Idaho, I remember the wonderful feeling I had going to den meetings, learning skills, playing games, and---of course---having treats!

It was a grand part of my growing up years. Baden-Powell, in his book Aids to Scoutmastership, said, "The whole object of our Scouting is to seize the boy's character in its red-hot stage of enthusiasm, and to weld it into the right shape and to encourage and develop its individuality so that the boy may educate himself to become a good man and [a reliable] citizen for his country."

And much of this is attributable to leaders like you, who have unselfishly helped these young men of the Aaronic Priesthood reach their potential. And for that we express our heartfelt appreciation for your tireless hours of strengthening the youth of the noble birthright, building the quorums of the Aaronic Priesthood, and of service to Scouting. Thank you for all you do, for all you have done, and thank you in advance for your future service to these great young men.

Throughout the history of our partnership with Scouting, Church leaders have spoken out in support of the positive effect of Scouting in strengthening the Aaronic Priesthood. President George Albert Smith said: "After many years of close contact with scouting through the National and Local leaders, and with many Scouts of various faiths, I am convinced that participation in this splendid program is one of the most worth-while experiences our boys can have.

"The ideals of scouting, like the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, are intended to make boys better companions, more useful citizens, and happier individuals." President N. Eldon Tanner, always an ardent supporter of Scouting, said: "The Scout Promise and the Scout Law have meant a great deal to me throughout my life. My grand old Scoutmaster started me out 52 years ago (in 1912) by having me learn and repeat the Scout Promise and the Scout Law, and made it mean something to me. He was an example of the Scout Promise and the Scout Law every step of the way." And more recently, President Hinckley said, "I love the Scouting movement.

The promise of the Scout Oath and the twelve points of the Scout Law point young men along the path of being prepared for the 21st century.

They provide a solid and powerful magnetic force toward development of a well-rounded and noteworthy character that counts."

Someone asked me recently if I thought that Scouting was as necessary or as relevant today as 100 years ago. I told him that I felt that there has never been a greater need for the youth to acquire the timeless values espoused and taught by Scouting than now. The war between good and evil is raging now as never before. But it is not a war of tanks and guns but of words; of media; of thoughts and feelings; of Internet, cell phones, and earphones; of drugs and drinks that dull the mind and the souls of our youth. And if we as leaders are not valiant, our youth will not be prepared for the challenges that await them. In years gone by, some youth were able to get by on raw talent and ability. That is no longer the case. If our young men are not men of character and integrity, if they have not learned to work hard and stand on their own two feet, if they have not committed to be finishers in all they do and to make right choices, they will not have sufficient to help them succeed, and they will be left by the wayside.

There is one more thought I have had as I have pondered the value of Scouting in the lives of our boys. We, as a society, are becoming a sedentary people, spending large portions of our lives inside---at desks, talking on telephones, text messaging, in meetings, in classrooms---and never thinking about or appreciating the beauties of nature that

surround us. Our youth spend hour upon hour in front of television screens, computer monitors, and on cell phones, never thinking of the environment around them. Scouting takes us back to nature, teaches boys to appreciate, cherish, and learn to care for this grand and divine creation, in addition to learning the importance of physical fitness and caring for our physical bodies. That is central in Scouting, as he not only learns these lessons but commits to keep himself "physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."

Recently while at a Little Philmont in Hawaii, a recently returned missionary told the story of finishing a discussion with a fisherman in his mission.

The investigator said, "I just caught me fish; do you want some?" The missionaries replied that they did. As he gave them to the senior companion, the investigator asked, "Do you know what to do with these?" The missionary responded: "Of course. I was a Boy Scout and I have the Fishing Merit Badge!" The man gave them the fish and the missionaries hurried home. The senior companion went in to take off his tie before cooking the fish. When he returned to the kitchen, the fish were already in the pan, floured and frying in butter.

"He looked at his companion and said, "You know how to do this?" His companion smiled and said, "Yes, I was a Boy Scout too, and I have the Cooking Merit Badge!" Tonight I would like to focus briefly on two things: first, you---the all-important leaders of youth; and secondly, the great resource of Scouting.

I have found that, for the most part, the success or failure of Scouting in building strong youth is based primarily on us as leaders---not on the boys themselves. One valiant leader can make all the difference in the life of a boy in teaching him character and timeless values that will last a lifetime.

I mention four important characteristics of successful leaders. 1. Testimony. Young men need adult leaders with testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ---leaders who can say, "Come follow me to the temple, or on a mission." These leaders will know just what to say when they have the attention of their youth around a campfire or at another teaching moment.

2. Training. Young men deserve leaders who are trained and who understand how to apply the principles and programs of Scouting to strengthen the quorums of the Aaronic Priesthood. Commit now to become trained. This is one of the finest benefits we receive from our partnership with Scouting.

This training can help you understand how Cubbing, Scouting, Varsity, and Venturing help strengthen families by reinforcing family values and providing meaningful, character-building activities.

For me, my Wood Badge experience was life changing and has affected each calling I have had since. With few exceptions, where leaders are well trained and Scouting is strong, so is the Aaronic Priesthood and Duty to God. Your training will also give you an ideal opportunity to become involved with the council and district and rub shoulders with members of other faiths who are devoted youth leaders.

3. Tenure. Ideally it would be wonderful to leave leaders of the youth in callings as long as possible, but we recognize that is subject to revelation. Over time, leaders become trained, establish strong Scouting traditions, and build relationships of trust with the boys and their families.

This usually takes years, rather than months.

When considering a possible change for an effective youth leader, you might ask yourself, "Why would we want to release Jim when he has only been serving for several months, has finished basic training, and is having such a profound effect for good in the lives of our young men?" If you ask yourselves that question, you have just opened up the window to inspiration, and the Lord will help you know the answer.

4. And finally, Time. It just takes time to be a good youth leader. There is no such thing as one hour on Sunday and one hour during the week in the work of saving and strengthening youth. Now, brethren, with all this, may I plead with you, as you apply the principles and the program, please do it in a safe manner. Please follow Scouting's safety guides for those activities as noted in the recent notice from Church headquarters.

Make sure an appropriate trip permit is filed before the activity, and ensure that there is sufficient adult supervision---at the very least, two-deep leadership. And as you apply what you have learned, I can promise you a very rewarding and fulfilling experience. Now let's look at the program and how we apply it to the Aaronic Priesthood. Scouting in both the United States and Canada provides a marvelous resource to help quorums accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. Now, brethren, one caution: as you apply the program of Scouting to strengthen Aaronic Priesthood quorums, please do not overlook the benefits of Varsity Scouting and Venturing in the teachers and priests quorums.

At this age, when young men should be increasing their focus on mission preparation, instead they are often sidetracked by girls, cars, jobs, sports, and many other distractions- --some good, some not. And often the only response is weekly basketball during mutual. That is not enough to help prepare them to become great missionaries, husbands, and fathers.

Varsity Scouting and Venturing are effective resources to help support the teachers and priests quorums of the Church raise the bar for these great young men of the Aaronic Priesthood by teaching them timeless values, giving them opportunities to learn and

apply leadership skills and develop spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially---all in a fun and enjoyable setting, planned by the young men themselves, with appropriate adult supervision.

First, the principles. As Bishop Burton appropriately said, "It's all about the priesthood." In all we do, the priesthood and the spiritual growth of our young men must be paramount. We must do nothing that would weaken the integrity of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums. Rather, our charge is to help build faith in each of these young men, to retain them in activity, and to strengthen their families---in a word, to help them come unto Christ.

Scouting is one of the vital tools to help us do just that.

To assist us in that charge, there are eight purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood---all listed in Duty to God. Scouting provides an opportunity for young men to apply that which they learn on Sunday.

In a way, it is on-the-job training for life.

A great teacher once said, "The teacher has not taught, until the [learner] has learned"--- and changed his life. And so it is with the priesthood.

Our job is not just to present a message on Sunday, but to help our young men apply those lessons in their lives---all with the end in mind.

Let's start with a lesson on Sunday about missionary work. For example, in Book 2 for Aaronic Priesthood Quorum lessons, lesson 23 is on "Practical Preparation for a Mission." That is [Aaronic] Priesthood purpose number five: Prepare to serve an honorable full-time mission. There are many types of activities.

Let's assume that Jake is a member of your quorum and is not active. But in your weekly presidency meeting, you have discovered that Jake likes to camp, hike, and ride bikes. So the quorum presidency decides to plan a cycling and camping activity. Can you imagine a way that cycling can be linked to applying or teaching [Aaronic] Priesthood purpose number five?

Think about how you can connect a cycling activity with preparation for a mission. You see, the activity didn't begin as a cycling activity. It began with a priesthood purpose. And the same can occur with other activities.

Each activity should have at least one priesthood purpose and use the Boy Scout, Varsity, and Venturing resources for planning helps.

For example, these two manuals are chock full of ideas for fun, character-building activities.

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If I were a priests quorums advisor today and was just beginning the program, I would take this manual and divide it in half, giving half to each assistant in the priests quorum, along with some sticky notes, and ask them to identify activities that they believe the quorum members would enjoy.

And brethren, be sure to take time at the end of each of these activities to tie the activity to the priesthood purpose and discuss the observations of the young men of the quorum. In a Scout troop, it's called a Scoutmaster's Minute. This is also a great time for you to bear your testimony of the importance of what they have experienced during the activity and how it links to the lesson given on Sunday. And so each activity begins---all with the end in mind---to strengthen each young man, help him to develop faith, and prepare for full-time missionary service.

All we have been talking about today helps us to fulfill the charge of President Hinckley and Elder Ballard to prepare the greatest generation of missionaries this world has ever seen. I don't know any better way to do that than to fully apply all the tools that we have, including Aaronic Priesthood, Fulfilling Our Duty to God, and Scouting---Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing.

The Church Handbook of Instructions provides guidance for registration of our young men of the Aaronic Priesthood. In Book 2, it states:

"Where Scouting is authorized, young men ages 12 through 15 should be registered. Young men ages 16 and 17 should be registered when they are pursuing rank advancements or when stake presidents and bishops choose to sponsor Venturing Crews . . . for young men of this age. Scout leaders should also be registered.

"If wards choose not to participate in Scouting for priest-age young men, bishops and stake presidents make sure the programs for these young men are well planned, meet spiritual and social needs, and are consistent with the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood." Brethren, in line with this policy, please be certain that your young men are registered with your local Scout organization---active and less active. When I was with President Monson recently, he indicated that "It is the policy of the Church to register our young men with either the Boys Scouts of America or Scouts Canada.

"But it is the charge of the local leaders to claim the blessings of registration by going out and reactivating the less active---and building a program that will attract them." Then President Monson added, "If I were a Scoutmaster and deacons quorum advisor and had one of my boys who was not active, I would take my senior patrol leader and go to visit that boy and his dad. I would say: 'Billy, we have a great Scout program in our ward.

We have campouts, go hiking, swimming, play fun games, and all sorts of other activities.

" 'We invite you to join with us in our activities.

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" 'In fact, we want you so bad that we have already paid the registration fees.

" 'We also know that you like to swim and have planned a swimming activity for this week. Can I come and pick you up?' "

And he will join---not to become honest, or to become a better citizen, or to learn to work hard, or to serve others. He will join because it sounds fun, and boys like to do fun things. He will also join because he knows that the boys themselves do much of the planning and carrying out of the activities---and he likes to do that. And in the process, he will learn what it means to be "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind," and to do his duty to God and his country. For he will learn and become a better boy, and in the end, a better man, by doing and by his association with adults who have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who stand, with the parents, as righteous role models for these young men. And he will also learn what it means to be part of an Aaronic Priesthood quorum, to serve and bless the lives of others, to hold and magnify the priesthood and to focus on preparation to receive the ordinances of the temple and serve a full-time mission.

I testify to you that this is the work of the Lord. It was inspiration that caused us nearly 100 years ago to enter into this partnership with Scouting to strengthen the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood, and it is inspiration today that continues that effort and that partnership. Thank you for your devoted service to the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood. We express appreciation to you for your vision in helping these young men develop their talents; acquire and apply life skills and timeless values in their lives; prepare for the ordinances of the temple, for missionary work, and for lives of service. We express appreciation and love to your companions and your families for their support in this great work.

May God bless you with inspiration in your calling. May you be committed to become fully trained and understand how Scouting, in all its families, can strengthen the youth of the Aaronic Priesthood and help in this vital effort to retain the active young men, reclaim the less active, and grow the quorums of the Aaronic Priesthood. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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President Thomas S. Monson

―Scouting and the Aaronic Priesthood‖

My brethren, as bearers of the holy priesthood, we have been placed on earth in troubled times. We live in a complex world with currents of conflict everywhere to be found. Political machinations ruin the stability of nations, despots grasp for power, and segments of society seem forever downtrodden, deprived of opportunity and left with a feeling of failure.

Some of you have gained renown as doctors, dentists, lawyers, educators, or businessmen. Others are competent craftsmen, salesmen, engineers. Whatever the occupation, in reality each of us is also engaged in the building trade---the building of boys. All are needed.

Where there is one man who is willing and able to build a boy, there are many more who, through greed, selfishness, and lust for power, lurk in the shadows of gloom, away from the light of truth, to tear a boy down. I speak of those who peddle pornography, who belittle morality, who violate law and for filthy lucre sell a boy those products that destroy---those who put sin on a pedestal, who conceal truth, who glamorize error, who look upon a fair-haired boy as a commodity for exploitation.

The priesthood is not really so much a gift as it is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and an opportunity to bless the lives of others. We who have been ordained to the priesthood of God and have been called to work with our young men can make a difference. When we qualify for the help of the Lord, we have the privilege to build boys who will eventually become the leaders of tomorrow. It is vital that they bear the standard of morality and integrity and courage. We have a duty to them to teach, to lift, and to inspire, that they may be able to fulfill the responsibilities which lie ahead for them. We can accomplish miracles in the Lord's holy service. Our opportunities are without limit. Though the task looms large, we are strengthened by the truth. The greatest force in this world today is the power of God as it works through man. If we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help.

When our precious young men come to a crossroads in their lives, will we be there to guide them? I think of the words of the poet:

He stood at the crossroads all alone, The sunlight in his face. He had no thought for the world unknown--- He was set for a manly race. But the roads stretched east and the roads stretched west, And the lad knew not which road was best. So he chose the road that led him down, And he lost the race and the victor's crown. He was caught at last in an angry snare

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Because no one stood at the crossroads there To show him the better road. Another day at the self-same place A boy with high hopes stood. He, too, was set for a manly race; He, too, was seeking the things that were good. But one was there who the roads did know, And that one showed him which way to go. So he turned from the road that would lead him down, And he won the race and the victor's crown. He walks today the highway fair Because one stood at the crossroads there To show him the better way.

May we who have responsibility with the young men of the Church be there to help guide their paths. It is our privilege, as well, to provide them opportunities to learn and to serve, remembering:

Who touches a boy by the Master's hand Is shaping the course of a future man, Is dealing with one who is human seed And may be the man whom the world will need.

The Master Teacher, the best Builder of all, gave us the formula: "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

Our task is larger than ourselves, our influence more lasting than our lives. We need the help of Almighty God, for the boys we lead are created in His own image. The words of Moses, the great lawgiver, thunder down through time and find lodgment in our souls: "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." "In the image of God" was only stated of man and not any other of God's creations.

You builders of boys can be partners with God in bringing to pass His work and His glory---namely, the immortality and eternal life of man.

To help us in our endeavors to build and strengthen our young men who hold the Aaronic Priesthood, we have the Scouting program, which is the activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood. In March 1913, the General Board of the YMMIA acted to affiliate with the National Organization of the Boy Scouts of America. It was Brother Bryant S. Hinckley-- -a member of the YMMIA Board and father of President Gordon B. Hinckley---who made the motion in favor of the Church's affiliation with Boy Scouts of America. The matter was then presented to members of the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency, who concurred. That affiliation became official on March 15, 1913. In the October 1993 general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley called Scouting "a program which the Church has sponsored for eighty years, to the blessing of hundreds

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of thousands of boys and young men."

Twenty-five years ago my wife Frances and I were on an assignment in London, England. One afternoon we walked from the sunbathed street into the semidarkness of Westminster Abbey.

A reverence filled this world-famous edifice where kings are crowned, royalty wedded, and rulers whose mission of mortality has ended are honored, then buried. We walked along the aisleways, thoughtfully reading the inscriptions which marked the tombs of the famous. We remembered their achievements, recalled their deeds of valor, and marked their well-earned places in the world's history.

Eventually we walked toward the doorway. The immortal words of Rudyard Kipling coursed through my mind and spoke to my soul: The tumult and the shouting dies, The captains and the kings depart; Still stands thine ancient sacrifice, An humble and a contrite heart; Lord God of hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget, lest we forget.

One final marker to see, one more inscription to read. As a Scouter, I wanted to view the plaque of honor dedicated to the memory of Scouting's founder, Lord Baden-Powell. We stood before the magnificent marble memorial and noted the words: Robert Baden-Powell, 1857–1941 Founder of the Boy Scouts Friend of all the World

I pondered the thought, "How many boys have had their lives blessed---even saved---by the Scout movement begun by Baden-Powell?" Unlike others memorialized within the walls of Westminster Abbey, Baden-Powell had neither sailed the stormy seas of glory nor founded empires of worldly wealth. Rather, he was a builder of boys---one who taught them well how to run and win the race of life.

The boys of today will become the men of tomorrow. Nobody knows what a boy is worth; We'll have to wait and see. But every man in a noble place A boy once used to be.

Every boy blessed by Scouting adopts the motto "Be Prepared." He subscribes to the slogan "Do a Good Turn Daily." Scouting provides proficiency badges to encourage skills and personal endeavor. Scouting teaches boys how to live, not merely how to make a living.

Recall with me the Scout Oath: "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God

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and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; [and] to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight." The Protestant minister Harry Emerson Fosdick said of duty: "Men will work hard for money. They will work harder for other men. But men will work hardest of all when they are dedicated to a cause. Until willingness overflows obligation, men fight as conscripts rather than following the flag as patriots. Duty is never worthily performed until it is performed by one who would gladly do more, if only he could."

And from the Confederate general Robert E. Lee: "Duty is the sublimest word in the English language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less."

Several years ago a group of men, leaders of Scouts, assembled in the mountains near Sacramento for Wood Badge training. This has been an annual event where men camp out and live as do the Scouts they teach; it is a most interesting one. They cook, and then they have to eat their cooking. They hike the rugged trails, which age invariably makes more steep. They sleep on rocky ground. They gaze again at heaven's galaxies. This particular group provided its own reward. After days of being deprived, they feasted on a delicious meal prepared by a professional chef named Dimitrious, who joined them at the end of their endurance trial. Tired, hungry, a bit bruised after their renewal experience, one asked the chef why he was always smiling and why each year he returned at his own expense to cook the traditional meal for Scouting's leaders in that area. He placed aside the skillet, wiped his hands on the white apron which graced his rotund figure, and told the men this experience. Dimitrious began:

"I was born and grew to boyhood in a small village in Greece. My life was a happy one until World War II. Then came the invasion and occupation of my country by the Nazis. The freedom-loving men of the village resented the invaders and engaged in acts of sabotage to show their resentment.

"One night, after the men had destroyed a hydroelectric dam, the villagers celebrated the achievement and then retired to their homes.

Dimitrious continued: "Very early in the morning, as I lay upon my bed, I was awakened by the noise of many trucks entering the village. I heard the sound of soldiers' boots, the rap on the door, and the command for every boy and man to assemble at once on the village square. I had time only to slip into my trousers, buckle my belt, and join the others. There, under the glaring lights of a dozen trucks, and before the muzzles of a hundred guns, we stood. The Nazis vented their wrath, told of the destruction of the dam, and announced a drastic penalty: every fifth man or boy was to be summarily shot. A sergeant made the fateful count, and the first group was designated and executed." Dimitrious spoke more deliberately to the Scouters as he said: "Then came the row in which I was standing. To my horror, I could see that I would be the final person designated for execution. The soldier stood before me, the angry headlights dimming my vision. He gazed intently at the buckle of my belt. It carried on it the Scout insignia. I had earned the belt buckle as a Boy Scout for knowing the Oath and the Law of Scouting. The

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tall soldier pointed at the belt buckle, then raised his right hand in the Scout sign. I shall never forget the words he spoke to me: 'Run, boy, run!'

"I ran. I lived. Today I serve Scouting, that boys may still dream dreams and live to fulfill them."

Dimitrious reached into his pocket and produced that same belt buckle. The emblem of Scouting still shone brightly. Not a word was spoken. Every man wept. A commitment to Scouting was renewed.

It has been said that "The greatest gift a man can give a boy is his willingness to share a part of his life with him." Aaronic Priesthood leaders, Scout leaders, may you make the commitment to share your lives with our precious young men. They depend on you. Their very salvation may be at stake. You can build a bridge to the heart of a boy and can help to guide his precious soul back to our Father in Heaven. May such be so, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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Appendix D – Success Through Failure Article

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Appendix E – Complimentary Scouting Advancement / Duty to God Award Requirements

This Appendix contains three documents prepared by the Great Salt Lake Council where the requirements of the Duty to God deacon, teacher and priest certificates are listed with complimentary scouting, varsity and venturing scouting advancement resources. These documents can be used to help plan to accomplish requirements for both Duty to God and scouting in the same activity. These documents are not intended as a comprehensive list of all resource available but provide something that will help a leader make both program an integral part of the ward‘s Aaronic Priesthood program.

Hard copies of the following forms were obtained from the Great Salt Lake Council

Service Center at 525 Foothill Blvd., SLC, UT 84113

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Intentionally left blank – For when Double Sided Printing

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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

SCOUTING / DUTY TO GOD REQUIREMENTS BOY SCOUT - DEACON These Scouting resources are not all resources available. Please use other resource information as needed.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES QUORUM ACTIVITIES SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Duty to God Requirements Scouting Advancement Resources Duty to God Requirements Scouting Advancement Resources Duty to God Requirements Scouting Advancement Resources

1. Develop the habit of reading 1. Read the Prophet Joseph Smith‘s 1. Identify 4 scriptures that testify of the scriptures daily. During testimony in Joseph Smith – History Christ, and talk about hem with a parent your 2 years as a deacon, read 1 1:1-20, and discuss it with a or priesthood leader. Nephi through Mosiah in the priesthood leader. Book of Mormon. Share with 2. Read ―The Family: A Proclamation to your family a few of the 2. Explain to a priesthood leader the the World” and “The Living Christ: prophetic statements about law of the fast and how fast offerings The Testimony of the Apostles.” Review Jesus Christ. are used. Read Isaiah 58 and them with a parent or priesthood leader. Doctrine and Covenants 59. 2. Read For the Strength of the 3. Recite from memory the Articles of Youth, and discuss with your 3. As assigned by a priesthood leader, Communications Merit Badge Faith to a parent or priesthood leader. parents the importance of give at least one 3 to 5 minute talk standards and values. each year in a priesthood or 4. Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:38-6, sacrament meeting. and talk with a parent or a priesthood 3. Under the direction of your leader about the duties of a deacon. parents, organize and teach at 4. Discuss with a priesthood leader the least 4 family home evening history and purposes of the Aaronic 5. At least once a year, bear your lessons each year. Priesthood and quorums. testimony.

4. Keep a written record of your Genealogy Merit Badge family history. Ask a parent or 5. Participate in at least 2 deacons Star & Life Rank Advancements 6. Read an account of one of your Genealogy Merit Badge the ward family history quorum service projects each year. ancestors, or learn about an ancestor consultant to help you prepare a from one of your relatives. Report what 4-generation pedigree chart. 6. Participate in baptisms for the dead, you learned in family home evening or if possible. If not, talk with a in a quorum meeting.

5. With the help and permission of Family Life Merit Badge priesthood leader about the temple a parent, prepare at least 2 meals and what it means to Latter-Day 7. Complete additional family history Genealogy Merit Badge for your family. Where possible, Saints. work, such as a family group record also wash and iron your clothes showing your parents as children with for 1 month. 7. Write a half-page explanation of the the other members of their families. purpose of the sacrament. You can Share this information with a parent of a priesthood leader. 6. Read the twelfth article of faith, Citizenship in the Nation Merit refer to Matthew 26:26, Doctrine and

and briefly describe to your Badge Covenants 20:75-79, or the Topical parents the structure and major Guide. 8. If you do not already have one, start a Genealogy Merit Badge functions of your national journal, and write in it regularly for 2 government. months.

7. Perform at least 2 service Family Life Merit Badge 9. Set up a plan to be spiritually and Personal Management Merit Badge projects for your family each financially prepared to go on a mission year. at age 19.

10. Make a list of skills you will need to become a successful missionary. Talk to a parent or priesthood leader bout how you can learn these skills. Scouting Publications and Resources 11. Invite at least 2 friends to a Mutual Health and Safety Guide (34415b) activity, Sunday meeting, or family Boy Scout Handbook (33105) home evening. Leave No Trace (22105) Scoutmaster Handbook (33009) 12. Write a letter to your parents, your Troop Program Features – Volume 1 (33110) GSLC Learning and Teaching the Principles For grandparents, or a ward or stake leader. Thank them for their example and Troop Program Features – Volume 2 (33111) for Leave No Trace (42566) positive influence. Troop Program Features – Volume 3 (33112) Fireman Chit (34236b) Troop Program Resources (33588) Various Merit Badge Pamphlets Boy Scout Requirements 2002 (33215e) Guide to Safe Scouting (34416c)

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CITIZENSHIP & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONAL, PERSONAL, & CAREER DEVELOPMENT Duty to God Requirements Scouting Advancement Resources

Duty to God Requirements Scouting Advancement Resources Duty to God Requirements Scouting Advancement Resources 1. Explain to a parent or priesthood leader how to be a friend, maintain 1. Run 2 kilometers or 1 1/4 miles, Personal Fitness Merit Badge 1. Make a plan to improve basic Scholarship Merit Badge a friendship, and resolve conflicts and set a goal for steady Summer Camp or District Race reading, writing, and arithmetic between friends. improvement. skills, and follow the plan for at leastEDUCATIONAL, 3 months. PERSONAL, & CAREER DEVELOPMENT 2. Be a friend to someone who may 2. Develop and begin a 1-year plan to Personal Fitness Merit Badge feel left out, and invite him to a improve your personal physical 2. Choose 2 careers you may be Merit Badges: Forestry, Geology, quorum or Mutual activity. fitness. interested in doing someday. Find Animal Science, Architecture, Art, out what education or other Astronomy, Aviation, Chemistry, 3. Show a parent or a priesthood Communications Merit Badge requirements you would need for Cinematography, Communications, leader that you know how to use 3. Swim 50 meters, using 2 different BSA Swim Check them, and interview someone in Dentistry, Engineering, proper manners while eating, strokes. Swimming Merit Badge each position to learn what you Environmental Science, Journalism, greeting acquaintances in formal must do to prepare for these Law, Photography, Plant Science, and informal settings, greeting a careers. Space Exploration, Truck person of authority, and 4. Learn to float on your back in the BSA Swim Check Transportation, Woodworking introducing a speaker at a public water for at least 2 minutes. Swimming Merit Badge event.

3. Visit a government office. After Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge 4. Teach your family to play a new Communications Merit Badge 5. Learn how to rescue someone who Safe Swim Defense/Safety Afloat your visit, explain to a parent or District Event game or sport. is drowning. Swimming Merit Badge priesthood leader the function of Lifesaving Merit Badge the office.

6. Hike 10 kilometers or 6 miles in 1 Hiking Merit Badge 4. Learn how to purify water and to First Class Rank Advancement day. Summer Camp or District Activity wash and prepare fresh fruits and Merit Badges: Cooking, Public Health, vegetables. Wilderness Survival Summer Camp or District Event 5. Explain to a parent or priesthood Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge 7. Prepare the equipment for an Tenderfoot Rank Advancement leader what it means to obey, Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge overnight camping trip. Show that Leave No Trace Award 5. Learn emergency treatment for Second Class Rank Advancement honor, and sustain the law. you can set up a tent, cook on an Conservation Good Turn electrical shock, near drowning, First Class Rank Advancement open fire or on a camp stove, build serious burns, broken bones, heat First Aid Merit Badge 6. Participate in a cultural even such American Cultures Merit Badge a latrine, and restore the exhaustion, and serious falls. as a school play or musical. Music Merit Badge surroundings to how they were Theater Merit Badge before your stay. 6. Attend a cultural event such as American Cultures Merit Badge church, school, or community Music Merit Badge 7. Learn and practice proper dance 8. While camping, show that you Cooking Merit Badge play, music program, or musical. Theater Merit Badge etiquette. know the proper way to build a Second Class Rank Advancement

cooking fire or set up a camp stove. First Class Rank Advancement 7. Learn to play a musical Music Merit Badge 8. Explain Luke 6:31, and tell a Teach someone else how to build a Fireman Chit instrument. parent or priesthood leader about fire, emphasizing 5 safety rules. when and how you have applied its

teachings. 9. Learn a new game or sport Indian Lore Merit Badge 8. Perform a musical selection in Music Merit Badge

Sports Merit Badge sacrament meeting or another Summer Camp or District Event 9. Help organize and carry out a Merit Badges: Athletics, Theater, Others like small boat sailing, snow church or community meeting. quorum or ward youth activity. Backpacking, Camping, Hiking sports, etc. may apply Other merit badge requirements can be 9. Develop and follow a financial Personal Management Merit Badge passed off in the course of doing this Duty 10. Play on a sports team in your Sports Merit Badge budget for 3 months. to God requirement – will require leader quorum, ward, school, or District, School, City or Stake forethought. community. Sporting Event 10. Read at least 4 issues of a Church Reading Merit Badge

magazine.

11. Learn the rules of play, and Athletics Merit Badge 10. With your quorum, clean up or Second Class Rank Advancement officiate for a sport of your choice District or Stake Sporting Event 11. Learn computer and keyboarding Genealogy Merit Badge skills. Demonstrate these skills by repair a part of your neighborhood. Star Rank Advancement typing family history information Life Rank Advancement 12. Explain to a parent or priesthood Cycling Merit Badge in Personal Ancestral File or leader the rule of safe bicycle Troop, Patrol, Ward (Fathers and another similar program. 11. Participate in 4 family, quorum, or Second Class Rank Advancement riding. Complete a 30-kilometer or Sons type event), District, City ward social activities. 20-mile ride. or Stake Ride 12. Read the Word of Wisdom in Doctrine and Covenants 89, and 12. Sing with a church, school, or Music Merit Badge explain to a parent or priesthood community choir. leader what is mean by ―and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.”

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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

VARSITY SCOUTING / DUTY TO GOD REQUIREMENTS VARSITY SCOUT - TEACHER These Scouting resources are not intended as a comprehensive list of all resources available. Please use other resource information as needed.

The top award in the Varsity Scout Program is QUORUM ACTIVITIES SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT the Denali Award. The Varsity Scout Letter (VS Duty to God Requirements Varsity Scouting Resources Duty to God Requirements Varsity Scouting Resources Letter) is a step to the Denali Award. Information about these awards can help a 1. Read Doctrine and Covenants 20: VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual 1. Study the purposes of Aaronic VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual 53-57 and the Teaching Activity, Personal Development Priesthood found on page 7. Activity, Personal Development young man earn his Eagle Scout Award. Guidebook. Discuss with a Discuss what it means to ―become priesthood leader how you can be converted to the gospel of Jesus FAMILY ACTIVITIES a good home teacher. Christ.‖

Duty to God Requirements Varsity Scouting Resources 2. As assigned by a priesthood Communication Merit Badge 2. Discuss with a parent or priesthood VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual leader, give at least 4 5-minute Public Speaking Merit Badge leader what it means to keep the Activity, Personal Development 1. In the Book of Mormon, read Reading Merit Badge talks each year in priesthood or VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual Sabbath Day holy. Practice Alma through Moroni, and VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual sacrament meeting. Activity, Personal Development appropriate Sabbath observance. discuss with your family what Activity, Personal Development Alma, Helaman, and Moroni 3. Under the direction of a priesthood VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual 3. Prepare and present at least 2 VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual foretold about Christ. Also leader, teach or help teach, 1 or Activity, Personal Development home teaching lessons. Activity, Personal Development discuss the brother of Jared and more lessons in the teachers the strength of his faith. quorum meeting. 4. Recite from memory the Articles VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual

of Faith and Doctrine and Activity, Personal Development 2. Study For the Strength of the VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual Covenants 13. Youth. Discuss each topic with Activity, Personal Development 4. With our quorum, discuss how to VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual

your parents, and explain why prepare for and serve a full-time Activity, Personal Development each is important to young men mission and ways to assist the full- 5. Read and discuss a general VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual and women. time missionaries in your area. conference address that teaches Activity, Personal Development about the evils of immortality and pornography. 3. Discuss with your parents the VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual 5. Invite and bring to church VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual

importance of a patriarchal Activity, Personal Development meetings a friend, less-active Activity, Personal Development blessing. When you feel you are member, or a new member your 6. Complete a family group records VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual ready, talk to your parents age. for each of your grandparents Activity, Personal Development about obtaining your patriarchal where they are listed as children. blessing. 6. Participate in baptisms for the VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual dead, if possible. If not, talk with a Activity, Personal Development 7. Write regularly in a personal VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual 4. Under the direction of your VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual priesthood leader about the temple journal for at least 3 months. Activity, Personal Development parents, organize and teach at Activity, Personal Development and what it means to Latter-Day least 4 family home evening Saints. 8. Regularly add to your mission Personal Management Merit Badge lessons each year. fund in preparation for and VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual 7. Under the direction of a priesthood Star Rank Advancement anticipation of receiving a call to Activity, Personal Development 5. Read about the following topics VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual leader, participate in at least 1 Life Rank Advancement serve a full-time mission. in Gospel Principles or Activity, Personal Development teachers quorum project each year. VS Letter/Denali Award: Service Principles of the Gospel, and Project 9. Collect recipes for a dozen meals Cooking Merit Badge teach 2 of them to your family: that a missionary can prepare faith, the gift of the Holy Ghost, quickly. Prepare at least 4 of these the Holy Ghost, obedience, the meals. plan of salvation, prayer, priesthood, repentance, and Scouting Publications and Resources 10. Write 3 letters of appreciation to revelation, the sacrament, and your family or ward members temple and family history work. during the year. Thank them for Varsity Scout Guidebook (34827a) their kindness and support. 6. Memorize the words and learn Music Merit Badge to conduct at least 3 hymns VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal Varsity Team Program Features Volume 1 (34837) 11. Develop a list of 10 qualities that each year: 1 hymn in 2/4 time, Development you admire in your father or 1 in 3/4 time, and 1 in 4/4 time. Varsity Team Program Features Volume 2 (34838) another adult and discuss them.

7. Learn to prepare and use a Personal Management Merit Badge Varsity Team Program Features Volume 3 (34839) simple budget. Keep a budget VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal Boy Scout Requirements 2002 (33215a) for at least 2 months. Development 12. Read at least 2 stories from a VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual Boy Scout Handbook (33105) Church magazine. Share them with Activity, Personal Development 8. Study and briefly describe to First Class Rank Advancement your family in family home your parents your country‘s Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge Scoutmaster Handbook (33009) evening or with a priesthood constitution and the events that VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal Guide to Safe Scouting (34416c) leader. led to its creation. Development Health and Safety Guide (34415b) 9. Submit the name of one of your VS Letter/Denali Award: Spiritual ancestors for temple work, or Activity, Personal Development write a 500-word personal Leave No Trace (22105) history. Various Merit Badge Pamphlets 113

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONAL, PERSONAL, & CAREER DEVELOPMENT CITIZENSHIP & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Duty to God Requirements Varsity Scouting Resources Duty to God Requirements Varsity Scouting Resources Duty to God Requirements Varsity Scouting Resources

1. Run 5 kilometers or 3 miles in Personal Fitness Merit Badge 1. Continue your education, and 1. Learn and practice proper hygiene and VS Letter/Denali Award: 30 minutes or less. VS Letter/Denali Award: Physical develop additional skills in grooming, and explain to your parents Physical Activity, Personal Activity, Personal Development reading, writing, and arithmetic. or a priesthood leader why these skills Development District or Camp Event EDUCATIONAL, PERSONAL, & CAREER DEVELOPMENT are important to your success and 2. Improve your reading skills by VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal well-being. 2. Swim 75 meters using 2 First Class Rank Advancement reading at least 6 issues of a Development different strokes. VS Letter/Denali Award: Physical Church magazine. 2. Under the direction of a priesthood VS Letter/Denali Award: Social Activity, Personal Development leader, plan and participate in at least or Cultural Activity, District or Camp Event 3. Choose 3 careers that interest Merit Badges: Forestry, Geology, Animal 1 combined activity with quorum and Personal Development you. Think of several questions Science, Architecture, Art, Astronomy, Young Women in the ward. 3. Demonstrate lifesaving skills Life Saving Merit Badge you have about each career and Aviation, Chemistry, Cinematography, discuss them with your parents, a Communications, Dentistry, Engineering, in the water. VS Letter/Denali Award: Physical 3. Volunteer fro 4 or more afternoons or Star Rank Advancement Activity, Personal Development priesthood leader, or others who Environmental Science, Journalism, Law, can help you learn about these Photography, Plant Science, Space evenings at a hospital, home for the Life Rank Advancement District or Camp Event aged, center for the disabled, welfare Disability Awareness Merit careers. Emphasize the positive Exploration, Truck Transportation, aspects of each career as they Woodworking center, or homeless shelter. Badge 4. Hike 15 kilometers or 9 miles Hiking Merit Badge VS Letter/Denali Award: Service with a 5-kilogram or 12-pound VS Letter/Denali Award: Physical relate to your personal VS Letter/Denali Award: Special Programs characteristics and life goals. and Events Project pack in 1 day. Activity, Personal Development District or Camp Event 4. Invite your grandparents or other Genealogy Merit Badge senior citizens to share their childhood VS Letter/Denali Award: Social 5. Participate in a group cultural Theater Merit Badge 4. Visit at least 3 places where Merit Badges: Forestry, Geology, Animal people perform work you might Science, Architecture, Art, Astronomy, memories with you. Take notes of the or Cultural Activity, arts performance such as a road Music Merit Badge major highlights in their lives. Personal Development show, play, folk dance, or VS Letter/Denali Award: Physical enjoy. Find out what they like Aviation, Chemistry, Cinematography, and dislike about heir work and Communications, Dentistry, Engineering, other activity in a church, Activity, Personal Development school, or community function. District or Camp Event how they prepared themselves to Environmental Science, Journalism, Law, do it. Describe to your parents or Photography, Plant Science, Space 5. Attend a village, community or city Citizenship in the Community council meeting and share your Merit Badge 6. Teach a younger brother or VS Letter/Denali Award: Physical a priesthood leader how you Exploration, Truck Transportation, would feel about working at such Woodworking impression so f the experience with VS Letter/Denali Award: sister or ward member how to Activity, Personal Development your parents or a priesthood leader. Citizenship Activity, play an indoor game or sport. a job. VS Letter/Denali Award: Special Programs and Events Personal Development

7. Participate on a sports team in Sports Merit Badge 5. If a vocational interest test is VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal the quorum, ward, school, or Athletics Merit Badge available, take it and discuss the Development 6. Visit a legal court and share your Law Merit Badge community. VS Letter/Denali Award: Physical results with your parents. If impressions of the experience with VS Letter/Denali Award: Activity, Personal Development classes are offered at our school your quorum or family. Citizenship Activity,

that could help you prepare for a Personal Development 8. Learn to play or officiate a Sports Merit Badge potential career, discuss with sport of your choice. Athletics Merit Badge your parents or a priesthood 7. Learn and sing, alone or with a group, VS Letter/Denali Award: Social VS Letter/Denali Award: Physical leader how they could help you your national anthem; explain its or Cultural Activity, Personal Activity, Personal Development do this. origin to your parents or a priesthood Development

leader. 9. If local conditions permit, Camping Merit Badge 6. Discuss how your chosen career VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal participate in a 3-day quorum Varsity Big Event would allow you to maintain the Development 8. Discuss with your parents or a Crime Prevention Merit Badge camping trip under the VS Letter/Denali Award: High moral standards of the Church. priesthood leader ways to prevent VS Letter/Denali Award: supervision of your leaders or Adventure/Sports Activity crime in your area. Citizenship Activity, other qualified adults. District or Summer Camp Option 7. Learn and explain the entrance VS Letter/Denali Award: Special Programs Personal Development

requirements for a technical and Events 10. Explain to your parents or Wilderness Survival Merit Badge school, college, or university; priesthood leader how to VS Letter/Denali Award: Special describe to your parents or 9. Develop a list of music, movies, VS Letter/Denali Award: survive for 48 hours if lost in Programs and Events, Summer priesthood leader at least 5 television programs, and printed Personal Development the wilderness in both warm Camp classes that interest you. materials that are in harmony with and cold seasons. Identify gospel standards. edible plants and animals, and 8. Learn to play a musical VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal explain how you would ensure instrument. Development the safety of drinking water. Music Merit Badge 10. With your quorum members, plan and VS Letter/Denali Award: Social

participate in an ―etiquette dinner.‖ or Cultural Activity, 11. Learn and demonstrate the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge The guests of honor could be quorum Personal Development most important distress signals VS Letter/Denali Award: Special 9. Attend a ―career night‖ where a VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal members‘ parents. to use during crisis or when Programs and Events, Summer guest speaker describes the steps Development you are lost. Camp a person should take to apply for District Event 11. As assigned by a priesthood leader, Communications Merit Badge a job and what characteristics give at least 1 talk in sacrament Public Speaking Merit Badge meeting, or give a speech at school or VS Letter/Denali Award: 12. Teach first aid skills to our First Aid Merit Badge employers look for in new employees. in the community. Personal Development family or quorum members. VS Letter/Denali Award: Special Programs and Events 10. Collect 3 different job VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal applications and fill them out as Development 12. With approval of neighborhood or Star Rank Advancement practice. community leaders, organize a project Life Rank Advancement to clean and repair a public park or VS Letter/Denali Award: Social 11. In a language other than your VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal gathering place. Help maintain the or Cultural Activity, own, learn to bear your Development ground for 2 months. Personal Development testimony, and memorize the first Interpreter Strip 6 Articles of Faith.

12. Use a computer to prepare a Computer Merit Badge Church talk, a school assignment, Communications Merit Badge or another similar task. VS Letter/Denali Award: Personal Development 114

VENTURING/SCOUTING ADVANCEMENT-DUTY TO GOD AWARD REQUIREMENTS VENTURING – PRIEST These Scouting resources are not intended as a comprehensive list of all resources available. Please use other resource information as needed.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES QUORUM ACTIVITIES SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Duty to God Requirements Venturing Resources Duty to God Requirements Venturing Resources Duty to God Requirements Venturing Resources

1. Read the Book of Mormon. Discuss with Gold Award 1. Memorize the sacrament prayers. Talk to a Gold Award 1. Speak in a quorum or sacrament meeting Gold Award your family the highlights from the book, Bronze Award priesthood leader about the baptismal about the importance of honesty and including such topics as the difference in Reading Merit Badge covenant and what it involves. integrity in daily life. attitude between Nephi and Laman and Lemuel, the value of obedience to parents and 2. If possible, give at least two 4 to 5 minute Gold Award 2. Teach a gospel lesson to younger children Gold Award priesthood leaders, the need to heed the talks each year in a priesthood or sacrament Communications in family home evening, Sunday School, Bronze Award messages of Heavenly Father and Jesus meeting, when assigned by a priesthood Merit Badge Primary, or another meeting. Christ, the fight between good and evil, King leader. Public Speaking Benjamin‘s wise counsel, Jesus Christ‘s visit Merit Badge to the Western Hemisphere, and the promise given in Moroni 10:4-5. 3. Serve as a companion to a full-time Gold Award 3. Visit a hospital or care center and talk with Gold Award

missionary at least twice, when assigned by a Bronze Award or read to the patients or residents. 2. Read For the Strength of the Youth, and Gold Award priesthood leader. Discuss the teaching discuss with your parents your experience in Brown? Award experience with the missionary. living gospel standards. 4. With your bishop's guidance, identify and Gold Award

assist 2 elderly families with tasks such as Life Rank Advancement 3. If you have not yet received your patriarchal Gold Award 4. Discuss the meaning of the oath and covenant Gold Award shopping, gardening, cleaning house, and Ranger blessing, begin making plans to do so. of the priesthood with a priesthood leader painting. Family Life Merit Badge (see Doctrine & Covenants 34: 33-44). Home Repair Merit Badge 4. Under the direction of your parents, organize Gold Award Painting Merit Badge 5. Under the direction of a priesthood leader, Bronze, Gold, Ranger and teach at least 4 family home evening Bronze Award lessons each year. Silver Award help teach at least 2 lessons in priests quorum Awards meetings. 5. Learn to play the piano or organ well Gold Award Ranger enough to accompany 2 hymns in a church Bronze Award meeting. Music Merit Badge 5. Read about the following topics in Gospel Gold Award 6. Learn the basic skills of conducting music. Gold Award Principles or Principles of the Gospel, and Bronze Award Memorize a hymn, and lead others in singing Song Award 6. Participate in a baptismal service by being Gold Award teach 2 of them to your family: the Creation, it during opening exercises of a priesthood Music Merit Badge a witness, performing a baptism, giving a Bronze Award death (physical and spiritual), eternal life, the meeting at least once a year. talk, leading the music, or helping set up. Fall, forgiveness, God the Father, kingdoms

of glory, mercy, missionary work, the pre- mortal existence, prophets, the Restoration of 7. Participate in at least 1 priest quorum service Gold Award 7. Encourage and invite a less-active quorum Gold Award the gospel, the Resurrection, the Second projects each year. Bronze Award member to participate in at least 1 quorum Ranger Coming, and temples. Scouting for Food or ward activity. Star Rank 6. Read Doctrine & Covenants 4. Discuss what Gold Award Advancement 8. Continue to add regularly to your mission Gold Award it means to be prepared spiritually, Life Rank fund in preparation for receiving your Personal Management Merit Badge financially, emotionally, and physically for Advancement mission call. your mission. Discuss the importance of work (see Genesis 3:19; Proverbs 14:23; 2 Nephi 9. Participate in a community service project Gold Award 5:17; Mosiah 2:14; D&C 42:42). that benefits people who are not members Bronze Award of the church. Scouting for Food

Scouting Publications and Resources Bear Fourth Advancement 7. Talk to one or both of your parents about Gold Award Life Rank Advancement your career goals and how you are planning Ranger to achieve them. 10. Recite from memory the Articles of Faith Gold Award Venturer Handbook (33483) and Doctrine and Covenants Section 4. 8. Read Doctrine & Covenants 134 and discuss Gold Award Venturing Leader Manual (34655b) with your parents how it relates to your Citizenship in the 11. Participate in a ward or stake missionary Gold Award responsibilities as a citizen of your country. Motion Merit Badge Ranger Guidebook (3128a) preparation progress. Where possible,

work with the ward mission leader to 9. Submit the name of one of your ancestors for Gold Award Boy Scout Handbook (33105) participate in companionship exchanges temple work, or write a 500-word personal Ranger Scoutmaster Handbook (33009) with the full-time or ward missionaries. history. Genealogy Merit Badge Boy Scout Requirements 2002 (33215a) 12. As assigned by a priesthood leader, speak Gold Award in sacrament meeting about a righteous Communication Merit Badge 10. Read Endowed from on High and discuss Gold Award Guide to Safe Scouting (34416c) father and the impact he had on his family. Public Speaking Merit Badge with your parents. Health and Safety Guide (34415c)

Leave No Trace (22105) Various Merit Badge Pamphlets

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONAL, PERSONAL, & CAREER DEVELOPMENT CITIZENSHIP & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Duty to God Requirements Venturing Resources Duty to God Requirements Venturing Resources Duty to God Requirements Venturing Resources

1. Run 10 kilometers or 6 miles in 60 Gold Award 1. Write a post-high school education or Gold Award 1. Plan and participate in at least 1 Gold Award minutes or less. Ranger training plan. Include how your combined activity with your Merit Badges: Water Skiing, Personal Fitness Merit Badge education or training might be found. quorum members and the Young Canoeing, Motor Boating, Small District/Council Event Explain how your plans will work with Women in the ward. Boat Sailing your goal of serving a 2 year full-time District/Council Event 2. Hike 25 kilometers or 15 miles with a Gold Award mission. pack in 2 days or less. Merit Badge: Hiking, 2. Read the section on dating in For Gold Award Backpacking, Camping 2. Enroll and participate in a university or Gold, Silver, Ranger Awards the Strength of the Youth. Discuss District/Council Event vocational school, on–the-job training appropriate dating activities and program, apprenticeship, or internship. conduct and the characteristics to look for in a potential spouse. 3. Run for 30 minutes, 3 times a week Bronze, Gold, Ranger Awards 3. If possible, plan to visit the workplace of Gold Award for 3 months. Personal Fitness Merit Badge 3 occupations you are interested in. Ranger 3. Learn good personal hygiene and Bronze, Gold Awards Write about what you did and did not Merit Badges: Forestry, grooming habits. Discuss why these 4. Swim for 30 minutes twice a week for Bronze, Gold, Ranger Awards like about the job and about why you Geology, Animal Science, skills are important to your success 3 months. Merit Badges: Personal Fitness, think it does or does not fit your long- Architecture, Art, Astronomy, now and as a potential full-time Swimming term goals. Aviation, Chemistry, missionary.

Cinematography, Communications, Dentistry, 4. Invite a group of newly married Bronze, Gold Awards 5. Present a display or demonstrate a Bronze, Gold, Ranger Awards couples from the ward or stake to a hobby or craft at school, in a church Merit Badges: Art, Collections, Engineering, Environmental Science, Journalism, Law, panel discussion in which they activity, or at a community event. Coin Collecting discuss how individuals should treat District/Council Event Photography, Plant Science, Space Exploration, Truck each other during courtship and what to look for in a future spouse. 6. Participate in a musical group that Bronze, Gold Awards Transportation, Woodworking

presents music in harmony with Music Merit Badge 4. With your parents‘ permission, obtain Church standards, and give a public Gold Award 5. Attend a social event in the ward or Bronze, Gold Awards performance. part-time work. stake and another similar event at school. Describe to your parents or 7. Participate on a sports team in your Bronze, Gold Awards 5. Learn how to find a job. Prepare a Gold Award a priesthood leader how you felt quorum, ward, school, or community. Sports Merit Badge resume, and hold a practice interview Personal Management Merit and behaved in both situations. with on or both of your parent or a District/Council Event Badge priesthood leader. 6. Plan and carry out a cultural or Bronze, Gold Awards 8. Learn to play or officiate for a sport. Bronze, Gold Awards social activity for a group of elderly Merit Badges: Sports, Athletics 6. Obtain a valid driver‘s license with your Gold Award people in your area. Consult with District/Council Event parents‘ approval. Traffic Safety Merit Badge the ward high priests group leader in your planning.

9. Teach the rules of a sport to another Gold, Bronze, Ranger Awards 7. Prepare a personal history, including Bronze, Gold Awards family or quorum member. Merit Badges: Sports, 7. Organize or assist with a crime- Bronze, Gold Awards several important events in your life or Genealogy Merit Badge Communications, Public prevention program in your Merit Badges: your family‘s life. Keep a journal or Speaking neighborhood, under the direction Crime Prevention, Family Life personal record. District/Council Event of priesthood and community

leaders. 8. In a language other than your own, learn Gold Award 10. As local regulations permit, organize Gold, Ranger Awards to bear your testimony, and memorize Venturing Progress Capability and carry out a camping trip for your Camping Merit Badge 8. Ask a representative of a local law Gold Award the last 6 articles of faith. Also, in 5 Interpreter Badge quorum. Make arrangements with the Leave No Trace Award enforcement agency to attend a Merit Badges: Crime Prevention, languages, learn greeting that people owner of the land for permission to Conservation Good Turn Award neighborhood meeting, and Fingerprinting, Citizenship in the would give on the street. camp there and clean up the area District/Council Event encourage residents to watch out for Community, Law, Family Life

before leaving. one another. 9. Plan and participate in a variety show at Bronze, Gold, Ranger Awards

church or in the community that includes Merit Badge: Music, Theater 11. Study the needs of people with certain Gold, Bronze Awards 9. After talking with a priesthood Bronze, Gold Awards local talent. District Event disabilities, and then present a plan to Merit Badges: Disabilities leader, do 2 projects that will help Citizenship in the World Merit Badge your parents or a priesthood leader for Awareness, Camping you better understand national organizing a camping trip that District/Council Event 10. Create at least 3 paintings or drawings, Bronze, Gold Awards governments hand how to preserve includes those with disabilities. and if possible, display them in a church, Art Merit Badge peace. school, or community cultural arts event. District/Council Event 12. Under the direction of a priesthood Gold, Bronze, Ranger Awards 10. Talk to a priesthood leader about Bronze, Gold Awards leader, plan an activity close to home Merit Badges: Camping, 11. Participate in a church, school, or Bronze, Gold Awards the culture of a country or countries Citizenship in the World Merit Badge in which all member of your quorum Whitewater, Water Skiing, community choir. Music Merit Badge in which full-time missionaries are may participate with little or no cost. Canoeing, Small-Boat Sailing, serving. Possible activities include a 50 Motor boating, Hiking, Cycling, 12. Learn to play a musical instrument kilometer or 30 mile bike or Rowing, Gold Award 11. Help an elderly person participate Gold Award wilderness trek, a rafting or canoeing District/Council Event Music Merit Badge in an election in your area. trip, or a bicycle road rally. 12. Participate in at least 2 community Bronze, Gold, Ranger Awards service projects during the year. Star Rank Advancement Life Rank Advancement District/Council Event

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Appendix F – Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth

The PDF version of this guidebook can be obtained from the Church‘s www.lds.org website under the gospel library. The address is: http://lds.org/youthresources/pdf/GuideParLead36415.pdf

A printed copy of this guidebook can be ordered from Distribution Services at 1-800-537-5971 or via mail at: Distribution Services 1999 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84104

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Appendix G – Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God (Deacon)

The PDF version of this guidebook can be obtained from the Church‘s www.lds.org website under the gospel library. The address is: http://www.lds.org/youthresources/pdf/AP_Deacon36412.pdf

A printed copy of this guidebook can be ordered from Distribution Services at 1-800-537-5971 or via mail at: Distribution Services 1999 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84104

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Appendix H – Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God (Teacher)

The PDF version of this guidebook can be obtained from the Church‘s www.lds.org website under the gospel library. The address is: http://www.lds.org/youthresources/pdf/AP_Teacher36413.pdf

A printed copy of this guidebook can be ordered from Distribution Services at 1-800-537-5971 or via mail at: Distribution Services 1999 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84104

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Appendix I – Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God (Priest)

The PDF version of this guidebook can be obtained from the Church‘s www.lds.org website under the gospel library. The address is: http://www.lds.org/youthresources/pdf/AP_Priest36414.pdf

A printed copy of this guidebook can be ordered from Distribution Services at 1-800-537-5971 or via mail at: Distribution Services 1999 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84104

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Appendix J – Faith in God for Boys

The PDF version of this guidebook can be obtained from the Church‘s www.lds.org website under the gospel library. The address is: http://www.lds.org/childrenresources/FaithInGodBoys.pdf

A printed copy of this guidebook can be ordered from Distribution Services at 1-800-537-5971 or via mail at: Distribution Services 1999 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84104

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Appendix K – BSA at a Glance

The following info was taken from www.scouting.org under the Facts Sheet Link. It can be accessed directly at the following web address: http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-501.html

BSA at a Glance

Purpose The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America—incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916—is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.

Chartered Organizations Community-based organizations receive national charters to use the Scouting program as a part of their own youth work. These groups, which have goals compatible with those of the BSA, include religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, and labor organizations; governmental bodies; corporations; professional associations; and citizens' groups.

Program Tiger Cubs is a year-round family- and home-centered program that encourages the ethical decision-making skills for first-grade (or 7-year-old) boys. These boys participate in the program with their adult partners. The program emphasizes shared leadership, learning about the community, and family understanding.

Cub Scouts is a year-round family- and home-centered program that develops ethical decision- making skills for boys in the second through fifth grade (or who are 8, 9, and 10 years old). Activities emphasize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Webelos Scouts is a year-round family- and home-centered program that develops ethical decision-making skills for fourth- and fifth-grade (or 10-year-old) boys. Webelos Scouts participate in more advanced activities that begin to prepare them to become Boy Scouts.

Boy Scouting. A year-round program for boys 11 through 17 designed to achieve the aims of Scouting through a vigorous outdoor program and peer group leadership with the counsel of an adult Scoutmaster. (Boys also may become Boy Scouts if they have earned the Cub Scouting Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 years old.)

Varsity Scouting. An active, exciting, year-round program for young men 14 through 17 built around five program fields of emphasis: advancement, high adventure, personal development, service, and special programs and events.

Venturing. A year-round program for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age to provide positive experiences through exciting and

127 meaningful youth-run activities that help them pursue their special interests, grow by teaching others, and develop leadership skills.

Volunteer Leaders Volunteer adult leaders serve at all levels of Scouting in more than 300 local councils, 30 areas, and four regions, and nationally with volunteer executive boards and committees providing guidance.

Each autonomous local council is chartered by the BSA, which provides program and training aids along the guidelines established by the National Executive Board and the national charter from Congress.

National Activities Cub Scouting is where it all begins. Ninety-five percent of all Boy Scouts participated in Cub Scouting at some time. Cub Scouting strengthens the family, encourages physical fitness, and teaches core values to live by through its program. A thrilling outdoor program starts in Cub Scouting with day camps, resident camps, council-organized camps, pack camping, and the fabulous make-believe themes of Cub World venues such as castles, frontier forts, pirate ships, and more.

Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers have many special activities available to them, such as camporees, summer camps, Scouting shows, and national jamborees.

The Order of the Arrow, Scouting's national camping honor society, recognizes those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. The order has local lodge, section, and national meetings. Scouts who have become Eagle Scouts, the highest advancement award in Scouting, may join the National Eagle Scout Association.

All Scout camps are inspected and accredited annually by teams of trained volunteers to ensure the health, safety, and quality of program for campers.

Scouting Anniversary celebrations, during February, include observance of the BSA's February 8 birthday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Sunday. Unit activities feature blue and gold banquets, courts of honor, and open house meetings.

National High-Adventure Bases The BSA has three national high-adventure areas, and all three are unique. The Northern Tier National High Adventure Program offers wilderness canoe expeditions and cold-weather camping; the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base offers aquatics programs in the Florida Keys; and Philmont Scout Ranch offers backpacking treks in the rugged high country of northern New Mexico. Volunteer leaders may attend the Philmont Training Center each summer for a weeklong training conference.

Publications The Boy Scouts of America publishes two magazines: 96-year-old Boys' Life, produced monthly for 1.1 million subscribers in three demographic editions (LOW demographic edition goes to all Tiger Cubs and Cub Scout subscribers through age 8. MIDDLE demographic edition goes to all Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts 9 years and older and all adult Cub Scouting leaders who 128 subscribe. HIGH demographic edition goes to all Boy Scout age subscribers and all other subscribers); and 95-year-old Scouting, produced six times a year for all adults registered in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. In addition, unit leaders and commissioners receive special program inserts in Scouting.

The BSA publishes handbooks for all phases of the Scouting program, more than 100 merit badge pamphlets for Boy Scouts, leader books, training pamphlets, program helps booklets for unit leaders, and other literature for use by youth members, adult leaders, and parents.

Financial Support On the unit level, chartered organizations that use the Scouting program provide meeting places and often furnish program materials and other facilities. Youth members help to pay their own way by paying dues to their pack, troop, team, ship, or crew treasuries, and through approved money-earning projects, they can earn additional income for their units.

Local councils are supported by donors through an annual Friends of Scouting campaign, the United Way, special events, product sales, foundation grants, investment income, bequests, endowment gifts, and special contributions.

The National Council is supported largely through annual registration fees paid by all members, charter and service fees paid by local councils, income from the sales of Boys' Life and Scouting magazines and Scouting equipment, bequests, and special gifts.

Membership and Units Membership since 1910 totals more than 111 million. As of December 31, 2006, membership was:

Youth Members Adult Members Units

Tiger Cubs 247,017 Cub Scout leaders 480,457 Cub Scouts 819,882 Cub Scout packs 51,077 Boy Scout leaders 519,557 Webelos Scouts 634,962 Boy Scout troops 42,269 Varsity Scout leaders 22,799 Boy Scouts 860,675 Varsity Scout teams 8,264 Venturing leaders 63,500 Varsity Scouts 62,161 Venturing crews 19,920 Council Scouters 43,638 Venturers 244,266 Total units 121,530 Total Adults 1,146,130 Total Youth 2,868,963

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Appendix L – Boy Scouting Fact Sheet

The following info was taken from www.scouting.org under the Facts Sheet Link. It can be accessed directly at the following web address: http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-503.html

What Is Boy Scouting?

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.

Boy Scout Program Membership Boy Scouting is a year-round program for boys age 11 - 17. Boys who are 10 may join if they have received the Arrow of Light Award or have finished the fifth grade. Boy Scouting is a program of fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities, and a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests, all designed to achieve the BSA's objectives of strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship.

Boy Scout program membership, as of December 31, 2005, is 943,426 Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts 543,971 adult volunteers 50,996 troops/teams

Volunteer Scouters Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Boy Scouting program. They serve in a variety of jobs — everything from unit leaders to chairmen of troop committees, committee members, merit badge counselors, and chartered organization representatives.

Like other phases of the program, Boy Scouting is made available to community organizations having similar interests and goals. Chartered organizations include professional organizations; governmental bodies; and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. Each organization appoints one of its members as the chartered organization representative. The organization is responsible for leadership, the meeting place, and support for troop activities.

Who Pays for It? Several groups are responsible for supporting Boy Scouting: the boy and his parents, the troop, the chartered organization, and the community. Boys are encouraged to earn money whenever 130 possible to pay their own expenses, and they also contribute dues to their troop treasuries to pay for budgeted items. Troops obtain additional income by working on approved money-earning projects. The community, including parents, supports Scouting through the United Way, Friends of Scouting campaigns, bequests, and special contributions to the BSA local council. This income provides leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional service for units.

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. The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he becomes.

Patrols. The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.

Outdoor Programs. Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

Advancement. Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.

Associations With Adults. Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

Personal Growth. As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.

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Leadership Development. The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Uniform. The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.

Outdoor Activities Local councils operate and maintain Scout camps. The National Council operates high-adventure areas at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, the Northern Tier National High Adventure Program in Minnesota and Canada, and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys. About 70 councils also operate high-adventure programs.

The BSA conducts a national Scout jamboree every four years and participates in world Scout jamborees (also held at four-year intervals). Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, was the site of the 2005 National Scout Jamboree.

The Beginning of Scouting Scouting, as known to millions of youth and adults, evolved during the early 1900s through the efforts of several men dedicated to bettering youth. These pioneers of the program conceived outdoor activities that developed skills in young boys and gave them a sense of enjoyment, fellowship, and a code of conduct for everyday living.

In this country and abroad at the turn of the century, it was thought that children needed certain kinds of education that the schools couldn't or didn't provide. This led to the formation of a variety of youth groups, many with the word "Scout" in their names. For example, Ernest Thompson Seton, an American naturalist, artist, writer, and lecturer, originated a group called the Woodcraft Indians and in 1902 wrote a guidebook for boys in his organization called the Birch Bark Roll. Meanwhile in Britain, Robert Baden-Powell, after returning to his country a hero following military service in Africa, found boys reading the manual he had written for his regiment on stalking and survival in the wild. Gathering ideas from Seton, America's Daniel Carter Beard, and other Scoutcraft experts, Baden-Powell rewrote his manual as a nonmilitary skill book, which he titled Scouting for Boys. The book rapidly gained a wide readership in England and soon became popular in the United States. In 1907, when Baden-Powell held the first campout for Scouts on Brownsea Island off the coast of England, troops were spontaneously springing up in America.

William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher, incorporated the Boy Scouts of America in 1910 after meeting with Baden-Powell. (Boyce was inspired to meet with the British founder by an unknown Scout who led him out of a dense London fog and refused to take a tip for doing a Good Turn.) Immediately after its incorporation, the BSA was assisted by officers of the YMCA in organizing a task force to help community organizations start and maintain a high-quality Scouting program. Those efforts climaxed in the organization of the nation's first Scout camp at Lake George, New York, directed by Ernest Thompson Seton. Beard, who had established 132 another youth group, the Sons of Daniel Boone (which he later merged with the BSA), provided assistance. Also on hand for this historic event was James E. West, a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who later would become the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. Seton became the first volunteer national Chief Scout, and Beard, the first national Scout commissioner.

Publications The BSA publishes the Boy Scout Handbook (more than 37.8 million copies of which have been printed); the Patrol Leader Handbook, which offers information relevant to boy leadership; the Scoutmaster Handbook; more than 100 merit badge pamphlets dealing with hobbies, vocations, and advanced Scoutcraft; and program features and various kinds of training, administrative, and organizational manuals for adult volunteer leaders and Boy Scouts. In addition, the BSA publishes Boys' Life magazine, the national magazine for all boys (magazine circulation is more than 1.3 million) and Scouting magazine for volunteers, which has a circulation of over 1.1 million.

Conservation Conservation activities supplement the program of Boy Scout advancement, summer camp, and outdoor activities and teach young people to better understand their interdependence with the environment.

Scout Law TRUSTWORTHY A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him. LOYAL A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation. HELPFUL A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward. FRIENDLY A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own. COURTEOUS A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.

KIND A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason. OBEDIENT A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them. CHEERFUL A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy. THRIFTY

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A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property. BRAVE A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him. CLEAN A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean. REVERENT A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Scout Oath (or Promise) 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

ADVANCEMENT RANKS

Tenderfoot Second Class First Class Star Life Eagle

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Appendix M – Varsity Scouting Fact Sheet

The following info was taken from www.scouting.org under the Facts Sheet Link. It can be accessed directly at the following web address: http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-923.html

Varsity Scouting

Purpose Varsity Scouting is a program for young men who are at least 14 years of age but not yet 18. It provides options for young men who are looking for rugged high adventure or challenging sporting activities and still want to be a part of a Scouting program that offers the advancement opportunities and values of the Boy Scouts of America.

Organization Varsity Scouts are members of a Varsity Scout team chartered to a community organization, such as a church or service club. It is led by a youth Varsity Scout team captain and an adult leader called a Varsity team coach. The coach is supported by an adult committee, made up of parents and members of the chartered organization. It is a stand-alone unit, chartered independently of a Scout troop, but the chartering procedure is essentially the same. The team may be divided into squads, and each squad elects a youth squad leader.

Program Varsity Scouting has five fields of emphasis. A youth member, called a program manager, is responsible for each of the five fields of emphasis and works with an adult member called a program adviser from the team committee to coordinate each phase of the program. The five fields of emphasis are: Advancement. Varsity Scouts use the same advancement program as Boy Scouts. They can also receive the recognitions offered through such programs as the Fifty-Miler Award; Mile Swim, BSA; etc. High Adventure/Sports. This program field of emphasis includes high adventure and sports and is supported by 27 program features. Personal Development. Varsity Scouting promotes growth through spirituality, leadership abilities, citizenship, social and cultural attributes, and physical fitness. Service. The emphasis is on service, with the intent that it become integral to one's daily experience. Projects are conceived, planned, managed, and carried out by individual Varsity Scouts and/or the Varsity Scout team. Special Programs and Events. Varsity Scouts take an active part in special programs and events at district, council, regional, and national levels.

Varsity Scout Letter The Varsity letter may be earned by youth and adult members. The youth requirements are: 1. Be a registered Varsity Scout team member. 2. While a team member, actively participate in or accomplish at least one high-adventure program or sports program to the satisfaction of your Varsity Scout coach. 3. Have an attendance record at team meetings and practice sessions of at least 75 percent for three consecutive months. 135

4. Satisfy the Varsity Scout coach that you know and live by the Scout Oath and Law.

At the completion of each sports season or ultimate adventure, each participating Varsity Scout will receive a medallion to wear on the letter.

Denali Award The Denali Award is available only to a Varsity Scout team's youth members who have already earned the Varsity Scout letter. Denali is the name American Indians gave Mount McKinley, in central Alaska. The requirements for the award are: 1. Be a registered Varsity Scout team member. 2. Advance one rank toward Eagle. If you are already an Eagle Scout, earn a Palm. 3. Hold leadership positions in a Varsity Scout team for at least six months. 4. a) While serving as team captain or a program manager, act as Primary leader on at least two activities. Program managers should choose activities in their field of emphasis. Team captains may be Primary leaders of activities in any of the five fields of emphasis. b) While serving as a program manager or team captain, demonstrate shared leadership skills by participating in supportive roles in activities in each of the three remaining fields of emphasis. 5. Satisfy the team captain that you know and live by the Varsity Scout Pledge. 6. Complete a progress review.

Uniforms The traditional Boy Scout uniform with a "Varsity" identification strip above the right pocket and with blaze orange shoulder loops is worn for formal occasions. Many teams design their own T-shirt for outdoor activities.

Scout Oath Varsity Scouts will use the Scout Oath.

Resources Program Features. Three volumes of program features support the high-adventure/sports program field of emphasis.

Each program feature contains resource materials that will prepare a team for an ultimate adventure or sports season. The high-adventure areas are backpacking, canoe camping, caving, cycling, discover America, fishing, freestyle biking, frontiersman, mechanics, orienteering, rock climbing and rappelling, snow camping, survival, and whitewater canoeing. Each feature contains approximately three months of program.

The sports program features contain basic rules, techniques, and strategies for basketball, bowling, cross-country skiing, roller hockey, shooting sports, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, and waterskiing.

Varsity Scout Guidebook. The Varsity Scout Guidebook is used by adult leaders and youth in Varsity Scouting.

Boy Scout Handbook. The Boy Scout Handbook contains information devoted to Varsity Scouts and supporting the Varsity Scout program. 136

Troop/Team Record Book. The Troop/Team Record Book is used to record member information, rank advancement, and financial records.

Varsity Scout Leader Fast Start. The Varsity Scout Leader Fast Start video supports the orientation of new Varsity Scout leaders.

Varsity Scout Leader Fundamentals. This is a three-part training program for training adult Varsity Scout leaders.

Varsity Scout Roundtable Planning Guide. The Varsity Scout Roundtable Planning Guide supports the programs outlined in the program features.

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Appendix N – Venturing Fact Sheet The following info was taken from www.scouting.org under the Facts Sheet Link. It can be accessed directly at the following web address: http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-388.html

What Is Venturing?

Program Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.

Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens.

Venturing Oath As a Venturer, I promise to do my duty to God and help strengthen America, to help others, and to seek truth, fairness, and adventure in our world.

Venturing Code As a Venturer, I believe that America's strength lies in our trust in God and in the courage, strength, and traditions of our people. I will, therefore, be faithful in my religious duties and will maintain a personal sense of honor in my own life. I will treasure my American heritage and will do all I can to preserve and enrich it. I will recognize the dignity and worth of all humanity and will use fair play and goodwill in my daily life. I will acquire the Venturing attitude that seeks truth in all things and adventure on the frontiers of our changing world.

Goals Young adults involved in Venturing will  Learn to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values in the Venturing Oath and Code  Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure  Become a skilled training and program resource for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and other groups  Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, religious life, or Sea Scouting  Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles  Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment 138

Methods The methods of Venturing have been carefully chosen to meet the needs of young adults.

Leadership. All Venturers are given opportunities to learn and apply proven leadership skills. A Venturing crew is led by elected crew officers. The Venturing Leadership Skills Course is designed for all Venturers and helps teach in an active way to effectively lead.

Group Activities. Venturing activities are interdependent group experiences in which success is dependent on the cooperation of all. Learning by doing in a group setting provides opportunities for developing new skills.

Adult Association. The youth officers lead the crew. The officers and activity chairs work closely with adult Advisors and other adult leaders in a spirit of partnership. The adults serve in a "shadow" leader capacity.

Recognition. Recognition comes through the Venturing advancement program and through the acknowledgement of a youth's competence and ability by peers and adults.

The Ideals. Venturers are expected to know and live by the Venturing Oath and Code. They promise to be faithful in religious duties, treasure their American heritage, to help others, and to seek truth and fairness.

High Adventure. Venturing's emphasis on high adventure helps provide team-building opportunities, new meaningful experiences, practical leadership application, and lifelong memories to young adults.

Teaching Others. All of the Venturing awards require Venturers to teach what they have learned to others. When they teach others often, Venturers are better able to retain the skill or knowledge they taught, they gain confidence in their ability to speak and relate to others, and they acquire skills that can benefit them for the rest of their lives as a hobby or occupation.

Ethics in Action An important goal of Venturing is to help young adults be responsible and caring people, both now and in the future. Venturing uses "ethical controversies" to help young adults develop the ability to make responsible choices that reflect their concern for what is a risk and how it will affect others involved. Because an ethical controversy is a problem-solving situation, leaders expect young adults to employ empathy, invention, and selection when they think through their position and work toward a solution of an ethical controversy.

Crew Activities What a Venturing crew does is limited only by the imagination and involvement of the adult and youth leaders and members of the crew — sail the Caribbean, produce a play, climb a mountain, teach disabled people to swim, or attend the Olympics. All these adventures and more are being done today by Venturing crews and ships across the country. All that is needed are concerned adults who are willing to share a little bit of themselves with today's youth — tomorrow's leaders.

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Starting a New Venturing Crew Organizing a Venturing crew is easy to do. Just follow these steps: 1. A survey is conducted annually in community high schools to determine students' recreational, hobby, and avocation interests. 2. A meeting is called of key people within an organization, with a Scouting representative in attendance. The representative explains the Venturing program, describes the key volunteer leader positions, and plans the recruiting of adult leaders. 3. The crew committee and Advisors are recruited and meet with the Scouting representative. Responsibilities of adult leaders are explained. The Scouting representative also discusses program ideas and helps develop a one-year program. The crew's one-year program is reviewed and adopted. 4. The organization's top executive writes a personal letter to each young adult selected from the survey, or identified through other recruitment efforts, and invites the youth and their parents to attend an organizational meeting. This letter is followed by a personal phone invitation from a member of the organization to each prospective youth. 5. The first meeting is held, involving young adults, the adult committee, and selected consultants. Adult Advisors share the program plans with the new Venturers (youth) and discuss member involvement and leadership roles through the election of youth officers.

What Youth Want Research has revealed these major points:  High school students have many vocational and avocational interests.  Teenagers want a broader experience that provides practical "hands-on" experience and is tailored to their cultural backgrounds.  Teenagers want to belong to a group that provides a secure, supportive place from which to address the youth development issues that affect them. These issues include experimentation, moving from dependence to interdependence, social relationships, psychological changes and sexual maturity, and a re-evaluation of values.

Program Support The Venturing Division has designed literature, audiovisuals, training, activities, and awards to support Venturing crews and ships.

Literature and Audiovisuals. A variety of books, pamphlets, and videos have been developed to assist with organization, program, leadership, and activities. In particular, the Venturing Leader Manual will support leadership and planning.

Training. Venturing Leader Specific Training (for Adults), Venturing Leadership Skills Course (for youth), and monthly roundtables will be available to improve and enrich Venturing crew programs. A weeklong high-adventure skills course for Venturing Advisors called Powder Horn is available annually. The weeklong or two-weekend Kodiak Leadership course is available from host councils across the country to teach experience-based leadership skills.

Advancement Awards. A variety of awards are available to Venturers who accomplish specific advancement achievements. These awards include:  Venturing Bronze Awards  Venturing Ranger Award  Venturing Gold Award

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 Sea Scouting Quartermaster Award  Venturing Silver Award  Venturing Quest Award  Venturing Trust Award

Recognition Awards. Those awards that are designed to provide recognition for youth and adults include:  Venturing Leadership Award  Venturing Advisor Award of Merit

Uniforms. The BSA Supply Division offers the traditional spruce-green uniform shirt for Venturers. It is recommended that crews adopt a charcoal gray casual pant and/or backpacking- style short for their uniform. However, each crew may determine what, if any, specific uniform pants or shorts they will wear based on crew activities.

BSA Councils. Venturing crews and ships are supported by local BSA councils, which provide staff and volunteer support, operate service centers and camps, and conduct training and activities.

Liability Insurance. The Boy Scouts of America has liability insurance that covers leaders and organizations to which Venturing crews and shops are chartered. Accident and medical coverage are not included but are available through local BSA councils at a modest cost.

For additional information and support on organizing a new Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship, contact your local Boy Scouts of America service center or the Venturing Division at the national office, Boy Scouts of America.

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Appendix O – Cub Scouting Fact Sheet The following info was taken from www.scouting.org under the Facts Sheet Link. It can be accessed directly at the following web address: http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-502.html

What Is Cub Scouting?

The Purposes of Cub Scouting Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three traditional membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.) The 10 purposes of Cub Scouting are: 1. Character Development 2. Spiritual Growth 3. Good Citizenship 4. Sportsmanship and Fitness 5. Family Understanding 6. Respectful Relationships 7. Personal Achievement 8. Friendly Service 9. Fun and Adventure 10. Preparation for Boy Scouts

Membership Cub Scouting members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den, usually a neighborhood group of six to eight boys. Tiger Cubs (first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second-graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third-graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth- and fifth-graders) meet weekly.

Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and pack committee. The committee includes parents of boys in the pack and members of the chartered organization.

Cub Scout membership is: 819,882 Cub Scouts

634,962 Webelos Scouts

247,017 Tiger Cubs

480,457 Pack Leaders

51,077 Packs As of December 31, 2006

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Volunteer Leadership Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Cub Scout program. They serve in a variety of positions, as everything from unit leaders to pack committee chairmen, committee members, den leaders, and chartered organization representatives.

Like other phases of the Scouting program, a Cub Scout pack belongs to an organization with interests similar to those of the BSA. This organization, which might be a church, school, community organization, or group of interested citizens, is chartered by the local BSA council to use the Scouting program. This chartered organization provides a suitable meeting place, adult leadership, supervision, and opportunities for a healthy Scouting life for the boys under its sponsorship. Each organization appoints one of its members as a chartered organization representative. The organization, through the pack committee, is responsible for providing leadership, the meeting place, and support materials for pack activities.

Who Pays For It? Groups responsible for supporting Cub Scouting are the boys and their parents, the pack, the chartered organization, and the community. The boy is encouraged to pay his own way by contributing dues each week. Packs also obtain income by working on approved money-earning projects. The community, including parents, supports Cub Scouting through the United Way, Friends of Scouting enrollment, bequests, and special contributions to the BSA local council. This financial aid supports leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional service for units.

Advancement Plan Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scouting advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.

Bobcat. The Bobcat rank is for all boys who join Cub Scouting.

Tiger Cub. The Tiger Cub program is for first-grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub badge. These requirements consist of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade.

Wolf. The Wolf program is for boys who have completed first grade (or are age 8). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass 12 achievements involving simple physical and mental skills.

Bear. The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade (or are age 9). There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank.

Webelos. This program is for boys who have completed third grade (or are age 10). A boy may begin working on the Webelos badge as soon as he joins a Webelos den. This is the first step in his transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. As he completes the requirements found in the Webelos Handbook, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements—all leading to the Arrow of Light Award.

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Activities Cub Scouting means "doing." Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the boys doing things. Activities are used to achieve the aims of Scouting—citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness.

Many of the activities happen right in the den and pack. The most important are the weekly den meetings and the monthly pack meetings.

Cub Scout Academics and Sports The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program provides the opportunity for boys to learn new techniques, increase scholarship skills, develop sportsmanship, and have fun. Participation in the program allows boys to be recognized for physical fitness and talent-building activities.

Camping Age-appropriate camping programs are packed with theme-oriented action that brings Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts into the great out-of-doors. Day camping comes to the boy in neighborhoods across the country; resident camping is at least a three-day experience in which Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts camp within a developed theme of adventure and excitement. "Cub Scout Worlds" are used by many councils to carry the world of imagination into reality with actual theme structures of castles, forts, ships, etc. Cub Scout pack families enjoy camping in local council camps and other council-approved campsites. Camping programs combine fun and excitement with doing one's best, getting along with others, and developing an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors.

Publications Volunteers are informed of national news and events through Scouting magazine (circulation 900,000). Boys may subscribe to Boys' Life magazine (circulation 1.3 million). Both are published by the Boy Scouts of America. Also available are a number of youth and leader publications, including the Tiger Cub Handbook, Wolf Handbook, Bear Handbook, Webelos Handbook, Cub Scout Leader Book, Cub Scout Leader How-to Book, Cub Scout Program Helps, and Webelos Leader Guide.

Character Development Since its origin, the Scouting program has been an educational experience concerned with values. In 1910, the first activities for Scouts were designed to build character, physical fitness, practical skills, and service. These elements were part of the original Cub Scout program and continue to be part of Cub Scouting today. Character can be defined as the collection of core values possessed by an individual that leads to moral commitment and action. Core values are the basis of good character development. In helping boys develop character, Cub Scouting promotes the following 12 core values.

Cub Scouting's 12 Core Values 1. Citizenship 2. Compassion 3. Cooperation 4. Courage

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5. Faith 6. Health and fitness 7. Honesty 8. Perseverance 9. Positive attitude 10. Resourcefulness 11. Respect 12. Responsibility

Character is "values in action."

Cub Scouting Ideals Apart from the fun and excitement of Cub Scout activities, the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto, and salute all teach good citizenship and contribute to a boy's sense of belonging.

Cub Scout Promise I, (name), promise to do my best To do my duty to God and my country, To help other people, and To obey the Law of the Pack.

Cub Scout Motto Do Your Best.

Tiger Cub Motto Search, Discover, Share.

Law of the Pack The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

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Colors The Cub Scouting colors are blue and gold. They have special meaning, which will help boys see beyond the fun of Cub Scouting to its ultimate goals.  The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above.  The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.

Badges of Cub Scouting

Tiger Cubs Bobcat Wolf (All Boys)

Arrow of Light Cub Scouting's highest award

Bear Webelos

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Appendix P – Welcome to the Aaronic Priesthood and Young Men

By Charles W. Dahlquist II Young Men General President A special message to boys soon to turn 12.

I‘m thrilled to welcome you into the Aaronic Priesthood. What an exciting time in your life! The week before I turned 12 I could hardly wait to be ordained a deacon, and I hope you feel the same way. Let‘s talk about a few of the things you can look forward to.

To Begin With Before you turn 12, you will meet with the bishop or branch president to discuss your worthiness and preparation to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. After you turn 12, your name will be presented in sacrament meeting for a sustaining vote. The Aaronic Priesthood will be conferred upon you, and you will be ordained to the office of a deacon. Your family is invited to share this wonderful moment with you.

Aaronic Priesthood Your experience in the Aaronic Priesthood will include these three things: brotherhood, instruction, and service. You will work together, learn together, achieve together, and serve together.

Do you feel a little nervous about passing the sacrament for the first time? Please don‘t worry. Before you are given any assignment, one of your leaders will explain exactly what to do. Someone will be right there to help you, just as you will help a new deacon in the future.

In priesthood meetings you will learn that the Aaronic Priesthood ―holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism … for the remission of sins‖ (D&C 13:1) and that it is the duty of Aaronic Priesthood holders to ―invite all to come unto Christ‖ (D&C 20:59). You will continue learning the principles of the gospel and how to follow the Savior.

The Aaronic Priesthood is a preparatory priesthood. It prepares you for the Melchizedek Priesthood as well as a lifetime of service. You will be involved in serving members of the ward or branch and the community. Real joy in life comes from serving others. And as you serve, your talents will grow and develop. You might hold positions of leadership. These experiences will help prepare you for missionary service.

Duty to God Award The First Presidency has said, ―We desire all young men to strive to earn the … Duty to God Award.‖ 1 This program helps you grow through setting and achieving worthy goals. You will work with Aaronic Priesthood leaders, your bishop or branch president, and your mother and father.

Here are a few of the program‘s requirements: during your years as an Aaronic Priesthood holder you will do things like read the scriptures daily, prepare a few meals for your family, wash and

147 iron your clothes for a month, and complete the ―My Personal Journal‖ section of your Duty to God booklet.

When you have earned your deacon, teacher, and priest Duty to God certificates, you will be eligible to receive your Duty to God medallion. This is a great achievement, but the real blessing of the program is that it will help prepare you to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and the temple endowment, serve a full-time mission, marry in the temple, and become a faithful husband and father.

General Priesthood Session and More In addition to the weekly Aaronic Priesthood meetings in your ward or branch, each April and October you will join with priesthood holders all around the world in the priesthood session of general conference. There apostles and prophets will teach you how to do your priesthood duties and become a better person. There will also be firesides and other special activities throughout the year. You are in for a spiritual, intellectual, and social feast.

Mutual The weekly activity for the Young Men and Young Women organizations is called Mutual. It‘s an opportunity for the youth of the ward or branch to meet together in a social setting and apply the gospel principles taught in Sunday meetings. As a deacon you‘ll do things at Mutual that 12- and 13-year-old boys like to do. How can you be sure? Because you will help choose the activities. As you become a teacher and then a priest, the activities will change to meet your interests. Once a month you will meet with the young women. This will help you learn how to build wholesome relationships with all young women.

Honoring the Priesthood My patriarchal blessing says, ―Honor thy father and thy mother, but above all, honor the priesthood, for it will be your salvation.‖ The same will be true for you. I look forward to working with you as we strive together to follow Jesus Christ, whose priesthood you will soon hold.

Note 1. First Presidency Letter, Sept. 28, 2001.

Scouting Scouting is the activity program of the Aaronic Priesthood in the United States and Canada. As an 11-year-old Scout you already know that it‘s a lot of fun, and it only gets better. You‘ll go on overnight camping trips. You‘ll go swimming. You‘ll go hiking. As you get older, the adventures will grow more challenging and more exciting. You‘ll learn new skills as you work on merit badges. The First Presidency has said, ―We desire all young men to strive to earn the Eagle Scout and Duty to God Awards.‖

Welcome to the New Era Turning 12, becoming a deacon, and entering Young Men all bring a new set of responsibilities and opportunities. That‘s why there‘s the New Era magazine—the Church magazine written for young men just like you. In the New Era you‘ll laugh at the cartoons, love the posters, get great ideas for Scouting and earning your Duty to God Award, and develop your testimony by reading messages from Church leaders and stories about youth around the world striving to live the gospel. The articles and stories talk about issues you and your friends face every day.

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Now that you‘re older, check out what the New Era offers especially for you.

Yours truly, The New Era staff

Charles W. Dahlquist II, ―Welcome to the Aaronic Priesthood and Young Men,‖ Friend, June 2006, 46

The previous talk transcript was taken from the wide world web at www.lds.org The web link is: http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Friend/2006.htm/friend%20june %202006.htm/welcome%20to%20the%20aaronic%20priesthood%20and%20you ng%20men.htm?fn=document-frameset.htm$f=templates$3.0

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