Boy Scouts (Boy Scouts of America)

Boy Scouts is one of the traditional membership divisions of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), available to boys 10–17. It is the oldest division of the three Scouting programs (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing) from the BSA. The program uses a system of outdoor activities to achieve the aims of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness qualities among youth.

The program had an estimated registration of 61,495 in 1911. As of the end of 2004, the Boy Scout program was serving 922,323 Boy Scouts with 543,487 troop level leaders in 43,984 troops. Boy Scouts are sometimes referred to as Scouts, or more commonly just as boys. Adults who participate in the organization are called Scouters. Scouts are organized into troops or teams and use units use the Scout method to instill values such as self-esteem, good citizenship, outdoors appreciation of the outdoors through a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking. Scouts are recognized for their achievements through an advancement system. Many special awards and programs are available to Scouts.

Ideals

The Boy Scouts express their ideals through verbal statements of principles, which Scouts must memorize and understand. They also represent these ideals symbolically in official emblems. The Boy Scout ideals are spelled out in the Scout Law, the Scout Oath, the Scout Motto and the Scout Slogan. Each Scout learns to use these ideals as a measure of personal growth.

The Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

The Scout Oath: 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 fit,; mentally awake, and morally straight.

The Scout Motto: Be Prepared.

The Scout Slogan: Do a Good Turn Daily.

The Scout Sign identifies the youth as a Boy Scout and is used when giving the Scout Law or the Scout Oath. The Scout Salute is used when saluting the flag of the United States. The left-handed handshake is used as a token of friendship and identity.

Emblems

The rank advancements use a series of medals and patches emblematic of the Scouting program. The basic Scout badge uses the fleur-de-lis, symbolizing a compass needle, pointing the Scout in the right direction, which is onward and upward. The Tenderfoot badge takes the fleur-de-lis of the Scout badge and adds two stars and an eagle with an American shield. The stars symbolize truth and knowledge; the eagle and shield symbolize freedom and readiness to defend that freedom. The Second Class badge has a scroll with the ends turned up and inscribed with the Scout Motto, and a knotted rope hanging from the bottom: the knot is a reminder for each Scout to remember the Scout slogan and the upturned ends of the scroll symbolize cheerfulness in service. The First Class badge combines the elements of the Scout, Tenderfoot and Second Class badges. For many years, the First Class badge was used as the emblem of the BSA. Star is a First Class symbol on a five-pointed yellow star, and initially indicated the five merit badges required to earn the rank. Life is a First Class symbol on a red heart, and initially symbolized the first aid and health related merit badges required for the rank.

Organization

Troop

The troop is the fundamental unit of the Boy Scouts. It may include as few as a dozen boys, or as many as seventy or more. Troops usually meet weekly. Each troop is sponsored by a community organization such as a business, service organization, school, labor group or religious institution. The chartering organization is responsible for providing a meeting place and promoting a good program. A chartered organization representative manages the relationship between the troop, the chartered organization, and the BSA.

Patrol

Each troop is divided into patrols of six to ten Scouts. A patrol's independence from the troop varies among troops and between activities. For instance, a troop typically holds ordinary meetings as a unit. Patrols' autonomy becomes more visible at campouts, where each patrol may set up its own cooking area. However, on a high-adventure trip which only a small part of the troop attends, divisions between patrols may disappear entirely. Patrols may hold meetings and even excursions separately from the rest of the troop, but this is more common in some troops than in others.

Some troops mix older and younger Scouts in the same patrols, so that the older boys can teach the younger ones more effectively. Other troops group boys by age, and may assign an older boy as a "troop guide" to mentor each of the younger patrols.

Venture patrol

The Venture patrol should not be confused with Venturing, the program for young men and women ages 14–21.

Some troops establish Venture patrols as an optional program for boys 13–17 years old. Venture patrols experience more autonomy from the troop than ordinary patrols, and provide older Scouts with expanded social contact and physical challenges. The program is based on high adventure or sports activities. The patrol is guided by the assistant Scoutmaster-Venture who is resposible to the Scoutmaster for Venture patrol activities. Venture patrol members wear the standard Boy Scout field uniform with the Venture strip over the right pocket. Patrol members are Boy Scouts and should never be referred to as Venture Scouts.

Lone Scout

The Lone Scout program serves boys who cannot take part in a nearby troop on a regular basis because of such factors as distance, weather, time, disability or other difficulties. While the boy does not participate in troop or patrol activities, he does learn the fun, values, and achievements of Scouting.

Varsity Scouts

Varsity Scouts are part of the Boy Scout program division of the BSA. It is an alternative program available to boys from 14–17 that takes the basic Boy Scout program and adds high adventure and sporting activities to be more appealing to older youth. Varsity Scouts are organized into teams, which are separate chartered units from a Boy Scout troop.

Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is a program of the Boy Scout division of the BSA. It is the BSA's national honor society for experienced campers, based on Native American traditions, and dedicated to the ideal of cheerful service. Scouts and Scouters must be a belong to a troop or team to become OA members. The OA is a youth-run organization, with adult Scouters serving as advisors. In the OA, a youth is a member under 21 years of age.

Leadership in the troop

Every troop has two separate leadership structures: one consisting of Scouts and another consisting of adults. The adult leadership manages the logistics of troop activities, administers rank advancement and awards, maintains troop records and finance, and recruits new Scouts and adult leaders. The youth leadership keeps order and coordinates labor at activities. Scouts and adults cooperate to plan agendas for troop meetings, as well as the troop's schedule of outings.

Adult leadership

An adult responsible for a Scout (usually a parent) may join the troop committee. The committee, in turn, selects a chair appoints its members to specific positions, most importantly those of the Scoutmaster and his assistants. These leaders must complete special training mandated by BSA (see Training below). Other adult positions vary from troop to troop.

The Scoutmaster must be at least 21 and is directly responsible for training and guiding the boy leaders, working with other adults to bring Scouting to boys, and for using the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.

Youth leadership

The youth leadership is headed by a senior patrol leader (SPL), who works closely with the Scoutmaster to run troop activities. He is expected to attend most meetings and outings. The SPL shares responsibility with one or more assistants (ASPLs). Other troop-wide positions of responsibility include: troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide and instructor. In addition, each patrol has a patrol leader (PL) and one or two assistants (APLs).

The SPL is elected by the entire troop, from a list of candidates approved by the Scoumaster. He then cooperates with the Scoutmaster to appoint the other troop-wide leaders. Likewise, each patrol elects a PL, who appoints his APLs. Many youth leadership positions require training. All youth leaders serve six-month terms.

Uniform

The Boy Scout field uniform is worn by Scouts and adult leaders. The official cap is olive green with a red front panel and a Scout emblem. The troop may may also choose the campaign hat, but today these are seen mostly in historical troops (i.e. pre-World War II), and by leaders in a training course. Many troops elect to create custom caps.

A variety of official neckerchiefs are available or the troop can create their own design. Many troops now opt not to wear a neckerchief. Special neckerchiefs such as Eagle Scout or Wood Badge are generally worn on formal occasions. Insignia such as sashes, medals, and pins are generally only worn only on formal occasions.

The Scouter dress uniform is appropriate for professional Scouters and all Scouting leaders on formal occasions.

Advancement and recognition

Rank advancement

Eagle Palms Eagle Life Scout Star Scout First Class Second Class Tenderfoot Scout

Boy Scout advancement

Boy Scouts has seven ranks, grouped into two phases. The first phase of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class is designed to teach the boy Scoutcraft skills, teamwork, and self-reliance. Scout is the first rank, awarded when a boy first joins the Scouts, and requires just a rudimentary knowledge of Scouting's ideals. Further ranks have progessively harder requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit. Scouts with a permanent mental or physical disability may use alternate requirements, based on their abilities and approved by the council.

The second phase of Star, Life, and Eagle is designed to develop leadership skills and encourage the Scout to explore potential vocations and avocations through the merit badge program. These ranks require that the boy serve in a position of responsibility and perform community service.

The Eagle Scout requires, in addition to merit badges and a position of responsibility, a community service project planned and led entirely by the Eagle Scout candidate. After attaining the rank of Eagle, a Scout may earn Eagle Palms for additonal tenure and merit badges.

Although Eagle is the highest rank, for which all Scouts should strive, the number of Scouts achieving First Class within one year of joining is still one of the key measures of unit effectiveness. Studies have shown that if a Scout achieves First Class within a year of joining, he typically stays in the Scout program for at least three years. Scouts who do so are more likely to retain Scout values as an adult and achieve the BSA primary mission of "producing useful citizens".

Awards

Several programs of religious awards are administered by various religious institutions and recognized by the BSA. These are generally recognized by a medal and an embroidered square knot. Many other advancement and recognitions—such as the 50-miler award, Crime Prevention Awards, Emergency Preparedness Award and World Conservation Award —are available to Scouts who show performance in special areas.

Recognition for adult leaders

Boy Scout leaders who complete training, tenure, and performance requirements are recognized by a system of awards. The Scouters Training Award is available to any leader, while the Scouter's Key and Scoutmaster Award of Merit are only available to the Scoutmaster. The pinnacle of Scout leader trainnig is Wood Badge, for which successful participants receive a special neckerchief, woggle, and special wooden beads.

Program and activities

Each troop plans and conducts its own activities, but all troops' programs have some similarities.

Troops typically hold meetings once a week, though some do not meet during the summer. The activities conducted at troop meetings vary widely, from training in Scout skills to planning camping trips to playing games. Patrol meetings may be held independently of troop meetings to conduct patrol business, such as creating a patrol flag. Most patrols do not hold regular meetings independently of the troop, but some go so far as to organize their own outings. Patrol activities are planned by the patrol leader.

Troops also typically hold excursions once a month or more, which usually involve camping overnight. These outings are an important place for Scouts to work on skills and rank advancement, have fun, and engage in productive outdoor activities. Aside from simple camping trips, common excursions include backpacking, canoeing, and hiking trips. Less-common activities include rafting, climbing, spelunking, and rappelling.

Most councils own and operate one or more permanent camps. These camps host a variety of activities throughout the year, but are most heavily used during the summer, when troops visit for a week at a time. A typical camp might host ten troops at once. Summer camps are important places to earn merit badges, particularly those that require special facilities, such as archery, and to participate in high-adventure activities. Purely recreational activities are also available, and most camps offer day-long overnight side trips. Troops may choose to attend the summer camp operated by their own council, or one belonging to another council.

It is common for several troops within a district or council to gather at least once a year at a special weekend campout called a camporee. A camporee is a district- or council-wide event where several units camp and engage in activities, competitions, and learn specialized skills. Competitions typically include knot tying, flagpole raising, flag ceremony, and orienteering, but many camporees emphasize specific themes. Some troops prepare for camporee more intensively than others, and the highest awards usually go to troops that make camporee their first priority.

Some councils hold "jamborees" or "camporalls", which are similar to camporees, but occur less often and draw troops from a broader area. The National Jamboree usually occurs every four years, and draws more than 30,000 Scouts from across the country and the world. The last one took place in 2005, at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, and the next one will occur in 2010 (postponed to coincide with BSA's centennial).

Training

New leaders are encouraged to attend training for their position. This training provides the essential information they need to provide a safe and successful quality program.

Fast Start Training is the introduction for adult leaders new to the Boy Scout program. Fast Start is self pace and provided as a video or online. Youth Protection Training is required for all adult leaders and must be recertified per local council policy.

Basic Leader Training consists of New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. New Leader Essentials is a common core program for all adult leaders in the Boy Scouts of America. Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training gives the Scoutmaster or assistant Scoutmaster the needed program knowledge. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills gives the adult leaders needed camping/outdoor skills and knowledge. Once Basic Leader Training is completed, the leader is awarded a "Trained" emblem for uniform wear.

Supplemental training modules are designed to provide orientation beyond Basic Leader Training. These shorter training sessions are often provided at the Roundtable, a monthly meeting of leaders from the district, at a University of Scouting program offered by the local councils and at National Training Conferences held at the Philmont Training Center and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base.

Wood Badge is the advanced training program for leadership skills for all adults in all BSA programs. Wood Badge consists of six days of training (usually presented as two three-day weekends) and an application phase of several months. When training is complete, leaders are recognized with the Wood Badge beads, neckerchief, and woggle.

The Scoutmaster provides initial youth leader training within at the troop level. Youth leaders are encouraged to attend National Youth Leadership Training at the district or council level.

History

William D. Boyce established the Boy Scouts in 1910. It was initially BSA's only program until the establishment of the Sea Scouts in 1912. The first program for Scouts with disabilities was introduced in 1923. Cub Scouts became an official part of the program in 1930. The Order of the Arrow was established at a Boy Scout camp in 1915, but did not become an official part of the BSA until 1948.

1972–1979: The Improved Scouting Program

September of 1972 saw the launch of the Improved Scouting Program. The use of boy was de-emphasized: the eighth edition of the handbook was titled Scout Handbook and the new strategic logo used Scouting/USA. Much of the Scoutcraft information and requirements were removed, replaced by information on drug abuse, family finances, child care and community problems. Conservation included both urban and wilderness areas. The concept of the personal growth agreement conferences was introduced as a requirement for each rank. Under the new program, a Scout could reach First Class without going hiking or camping or cooking over a fire. The program was modified for a system of immediate recognition. Individual rank requirements were replaced by skill awards recognized by metal belt loops. Ranks and merit badges were to be presented immediately, and recognized later at the court of honor. The merit badge program— previously only available to First Class and above—was opened to all ranks, and merit badges were required for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class. The number of required merit badges for Eagle Scout was increased to 24, and Camping merit badge was dropped from the required list. The entry age was changed to 11 or 10-½ if a boy had finished fifth grade. Most of the uniform patches and emblems were changed to multi-color versions.

The Senior Boy Scout program was replaced by the Leadership Corps. Initially the Leadership Corps was limited to leaders 14–15; older boys were expected to become junior assistant Scoutmasters or move to Exploring. The Leadership Corps could wear the forest green shirt with a Scout BSA strip until it was discontinued in 1979. The Leadership Corps patch was worn in place of the patrol patch, The first version of the patch was trapezoidal, replaced by a round patch in 1987. The red beret was initially introduced for the Leadership Corps, and extended for troop wear in 1973. The Troop Leader Development (TLD) program was introduced in 1974 to train youth leaders.The Cornerstone program was introduced to train adult leaders. Leaders who completed the course were recognized by a special version of the leader's emblem that was embroidered with mylar thread, giving a shiny look.

In 1976, concerns over the lack of emphasis on Scoutcraft and declining membership lead to the introduction of "All Out for Scouting", a back-to-basics program developed by William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt. The program was launched with "Brownsea Double-Two", a week long course for the senior patrol leader who would then introduce the troop-level "Operation Flying Start" to their units. Junior Leader Training (JLT) replaced TLD and Brownsea Double-Two in 1979. From a peak of 6.5 million Scouts in 1972, membership declined to a low of 4.3 million in 1980.

Hillcourt returned from retirement to write the ninth edition of the Boy Scout Handbook in 1979, returning much of the Scoutcraft skills. The number of Eagle required merit badges was reduced back to 21, and Camping was restored to the required list.

1979 to present

In 1980, the new Boy Scout field uniform was introduced. The Varsity Scouts program was introduced in 1984 as an alternate program for older boys. In 1989, some of the last elements of the Improved Scout Program ended when the skill award program was discontinued and the individual requirements were returned to the ranks. The Leadership Corps program was eliminated.

Also in 1989, the Venture crew and Varsity team programs for older boys 14–17 within the troop were introduced. Initially, girls were allowed to participate in team and crew activities, but this was later quitely dropped. These programs used the Venture/Varsity Letter with activity pins for recognition. The Varsity team program within the troop was discontinued in 1996. When the Venturing program was introduced in 1998, Venture crews were redesignated as Venture patrols. In early 2005, the BSA quietly stopped allowing Venture Patrols to use the Venture/Varsity Letter and activity pins, restricting them to just Varsity Scouts. Initially, the youth leaders were the Venture crew chief and assistant crew chief and the Varsity team captain and team co-captain. The adult leaders were the assistant Scoutmaster Venture and the assistant Scoutmaster Varsity. All of these positions and the emblems were eliminated except for assistant Scoutmaster Venture.

References

Boy Scouts of America

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