The Aims and Methods of the Boy Scout Program

Boy Scouts of America
Troop 503
Winchester, Massachusetts

Boy Scouts Guidebook

The Aims and Methods of the Boy Scout Program

AIMS

The Boy Scout program works toward three aims.

One is the growth in moral strength and character. We may define this as what the boy is himself, his personal qualities, his values, his outlook.

The second aim is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the boy's relationship to others. He comes to learn of his obligations to other people, to the society he lives in, and to the government that presides over that society.

The third aim of the Boy Scout program is development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems),and the emotions (self control, courage, and self respect).

The methods are designed to accomplish these aims. Thus, it is important that you know and use the methods of the Boy Scout program. Other methods may be good, but they may bring different results - results quite different than we are seeking.

METHODS

Ideals -- The ideals of Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, motto, and slogan. The Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them he has control over what he becomes.

Patrols -- The patrol method gives scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places a certain amount of responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to act in small groups where they easily can relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through their elected representatives.

Outdoors -- The Boy Scout program is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoors that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with each other. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose.
Being close to nature helps Scouts gain an appreciation for God's handiwork and mankind's place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

Non-Outdoors -- Troop 503 has a varied program including non-outdoor activities intended to broaden a scout's knowledge and skills. These include travel to interesting places which are historical or educational. A goal of this program is to develop a scout's understanding of his place in the town, nation and culture.

Advancement -- Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to overcome them through the advancement method. The Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he overcomes each challenge. The Scout is recognized for each achievement. The steps in the advancement system help a boy grow in self-reliance, self-confidence, and the ability to help others.

Adult Association -- In his quest for manhood, every boy needs contact with men he can copy. The Scoutmaster and his assistants can provide a masculine image of the vitality and strength of the Boy Scout program. Providing good examples of manhood is one of the methods of Scouting and boys learn from the example of their adult leaders.

Personal Growth -- As Scouts plan their activity and progress toward their goals they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. There probably is no device so successful in developing personal growth as the daily Good Turn.

Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.

The religious emblems program is also a large part of the personal growth method.