Troop 187 • P.O. Box 6201 •
Breckenridge, CO 80424 Contact Committee Chairman Ev Thomas This website is proudly hosted by Ten Mile Marketing, Inc. and maintained by dedicated volunteers
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What is Boy ScoutingThe Boy Scouts of America was incorporated in 1910
and chartered by the US Congress in 1916 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 Scouts of America is a private organization
open to all boys willing to embrace the values, objectives and methods of Scouting. Boys
unwilling to make this commitment need not apply. There are no entitlements as the result
of membership and tenure. As of December 31, 1998, the Boy Scout of America
program membership is:
The Objectives of Scouting 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
Eight Methods 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. 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. 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. The Parents' RoleBoy scouts of America Information for Parents First and foremost, parents
should familiarize themselves with the Boy Scout Handbook.
They
should make themselves knowledgeable about the Scouting program and its methods. If they
have questions they should ask the adult leadership to clarify the information. 90 years
of tried and true methods are hard to dispute. The success of
a boy is more likely with parental involvement. Parents can support the program in a
variety of ways including suggesting and planning activities, driving to activities,
typing services, committee duties, merit badge counseling, fund raising, and assisting
their boy in the duties of their leadership position and any other activities that benefit
the troop. Most of all,
the parent's role is to support the boy in his involvement in Scouting and give
appropriate respect to the adult volunteers who keep the troop running. Scouting is not
a babysitting service. The
Boy's Role The boy's role
is simple: Participate actively in the troop and adhere to the principles and methods of
Boy Scouts of America Most of all the
boy should have fun. Adult
Leaders' Role: The most important duty of all
adult leaders is safety.
Secondly,
Adult leaders are teachers and counselors trained to provide quality opportunities for the
development of character and knowledge. Good adult leaders are life long learners willing
to provide their experience to the boys. Council
and District leaders are the representatives of Boy Scout of America whose mission is to
provide quality control to the troop and to provide resources, and training to the troop
leaders. They are invested with the
responsibility to ensure that the methods and policies of Scouting are followed. 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 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, 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. Currently the cost per Summit County youth is $82.00. This is about $.32 for every
hour your boy spends in Scouting activities. Scout dues do not go to this purpose. Dues are used for registration fees, Boy's Life, and other budgeted operating expenses. Equipment is paid for by troop fundraising projects,
grants. The
Bottom Line "On my honor I will do my best Scouting's successes are
legendary. However, the results of Scouting become unpredictable when the methods of
Scouting are not faithfully followed. The most successful troops invariably are the ones
that adhere to the policies and practices set forth in the Scouts Handbook and the
Scoutmasters Handbook. What happens to a Scout?
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Troop 187 • P.O. Box 6201 •
Breckenridge, CO 80424 Contact Committee Chairman Ev Thomas This website is proudly hosted by Ten Mile Marketing, Inc. and maintained by dedicated volunteers
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