Chapter 1 - Welcome to Troop 281

1.1 We’re Glad You’re Here

This information booklet is provided to help you make a smooth transition into Troop 281 whether you are coming from a Webelos Den, from another Troop, or have never been in Scouting before. This booklet is designed for you to keep throughout the time of your membership in Troop 281.

Boys join Scouting because Scouts do things that boys enjoy. Any boy can join Boy Scouts who is eleven years of age, or has completed the fifth grade, or has earned the Arrow of Light Award, has parental consent, and is not yet 18 years of age.

Chapter 2 - Purpose of the Boy Scouts of America

It is the purpose of the Boy Scouts of America to provide for youth an effective program designed to build desirable qualities of character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop in them personal fitness, thus to help in the development of 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 and stable values firmly based on religious concepts.

· Have the desire and skills to help others.

· Understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental system.

· Are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand America’s role in the world.

· Have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people.

· Are prepared to fulfill the varied responsibilities of participating in and giving leadership to American society and in the forums of the world.

The Boy Scouts of America accomplishes this purpose by making its program available in cooperation with existing groups having compatible goals, including religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and governmental bodies.

Chapter 3 - The Aims and Methods of the Boy Scout Program

Ideals

The ideals of Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, 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 can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine Troop activities through their elected representatives.

Outdoors

Boy Scouts 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.

3.1 Methods

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 rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a boy grow in self-reliance and the ability to help others.

Adult Association

Boys learn from the example set by their adult leaders. Troop leadership may be male or female, and association with adults of high character is encouraged at this stage of a young man’s development.

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 a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn.

3.2 Aims

Boy Scouts works toward three aims. One is growth in moral strength and character. We may define this as what the boy is himself: his personal qualities, his values, and his outlook.

A 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, to the government that presides over the society.

A third aim of Boy 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 Boy Scouting. Other methods are good, but they may bring different results - results quite different than we seek.

The religious emblems program is also a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting’s aims.

Leadership Development

Boy Scouts encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership roles of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Uniform

The uniform makes the Scout Troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouts is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout’s commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives a Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Scout activities, and provides a way for Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.

The Scout Oath or Promise

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 strong,

Mentally awake, and morally straight.

The Scout Law

A SCOUT IS:

Trustworthy Obedient

Loyal Cheerful

Helpful Thrifty

Friendly Brave

Courteous Clean

Kind Reverent

Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Scout Slogan

Do a Good Turn Daily

We predict that for every 100 boys who join a Boy Scout Troop:

· Twelve will have their first contact with a church or synagogue.

· Five will earn their religious emblem.

· One will enter the clergy.

· Eighteen will develop hobbies that will last through their adult life.

· Eight will enter a career that was learned through the merit badge system.