The purpose of Scouting is to provide an effective
program for boys designed to build desirable qualities of character,
citizenship, and personal fitness through community organizations.
Acquiring these qualities aids in the development of American citizens
who are physically, mentally and emotionally fit, and builds a high
degree of self-reliance.
Scouts
have the desire to help others; they understand the principles of
the American social, economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable
about and take pride in their American heritage; and understand
America's role in the world.
Since America organized its first Boy Scout troop in 1910, Scouts
everywhere have honored values like trustworthiness, loyalty, kindness
and bravery. Today, these values are more important than ever before,
because becoming an adult means more than just growing up; it means
learning to make vital decisions about drugs, crime, gangs, peer pressure,
and more.
Instilling
values and developing a young person's character involves shaping
that youth's personal beliefs, attitudes and opinions. The programs
of the Boy Scouts are designed to incorporate experiential learning
techniques that strengthen young people's attitudes and actions toward
God, family, country and other people. The intent of the Boy Scouts
is to have a lasting effect on youth who participate in Scouting—a
positive influence that will remain with them for a lifetime.
Character
building is the basic goal of all Scouting programs. Camping out and
hiking through the woods are more than just fun; these activities
teach boys basic self assurance, teamwork, and leadership life skills
they will take with them well into adulthood. Knot tying might seem
like a quaint and outmoded skill in this computer age, but such hands-on
experience helps boys realize their own potential for developing and
mastering new skills.
How well
does Scouting achieve its goal of instilling positive values? A research
study by Louis Harris & Associates in May, 1995, found that men
and boys who participated in Scouting as youth credit their Scouting
experience with many positive effects on their lives and on society
in general. The study revealed that men and boys with strong Scouting
experience often demonstrate higher ethical and moral standards than
non-Scouts.
Another
conclusion from the Harris Poll showed a high correlation between
Scouting and future achievements: higher high school graduation rates,
higher college graduation rates, and higher household incomes.
