AIMS

Scouting works toward three aims. One is growth in moral strength and character. We may define this as what the child is themselves: personal qualities, values and outlook.

A second aim is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means their relationship to others. They come to learn their obligations to other people, to the society they live in and to the government that presides over that society.

A third aim of Scouting 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 Scouting. Other methods are 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, Law, motto and slogan. The Scout measures themselves against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as they reach for them, they have some control over what they become.

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 youth 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 - Scouting 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.