Boy Scouts of America

Learning Leadership, Integrity and Discipline for Boys

Nov 14, 2008

Millions of boys participate in the Boy Scouts each year. Scouting programs help foster adventure, discipline, loyalty, and goodwill toward others.

The Boy Scout Program includes boys of most ages. While most Scouts are required to wear a uniform and pay monthly dues, parents may qualify for financial assistance so that their sons can still participate. There are several individual Scout programs.

Cub Scouts

Cub Scouts are for boys from first through fifth grades, or ages 7-10. Weekly den meetings and monthly pack meetings are designed to teach boys "citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness." Cub Scouts are typically divided into four groups:

Bobcat (new members), are taught to honor promises and family. They are taught to be honest and trustworthy.

Tiger Cubs (first graders), continue learning and go on a discovery outing once a month. Their motto is, "Search, Discover, Share."

Wolves (second graders), learn more in depth how to keep their bodies healthy, learn to cook, how to make positive choices, make good decisions at home and in the community, and how to build and take care of the environment.

Bears (third graders), learn about God, their country, wildlife, the planet, family life, saving money, sports, leadership, and how to build a model.

Webelos (fourth and fifth graders), are offered more challenging activities and have less parental involvement as they gear up to become Boy Scouts. Webelos stands for "We’ll Be Loyal Scouts."

Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts are for boys who have earned their Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old and completed fifth grade. Boy Scouts carry further the mission of Cub Scouts and are designed to increase physical, mental, and moral strength.

Boy Scouts can begin earning merit badges that allow them to learn more about a subject in depth while completing specific requirements. There are 14 merit badge categories, and there are over 100 merit badges. The fourteen categories are:

Eagle Scout

To become an Eagle Scout, a boy must earn 21 merit badges, and twelve of these are set requirements. These are:

The rest of the merit badges are electives and are chosen by the scout. In addition, before becoming an Eagle Scout the boy must plan and execute an Eagle Project that provides a valuable service and meets a special need of the larger community. An Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony is then held to properly transition the scout into an Eagle.

Venturing Program

The Venturing Program was designed by the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women from 14-20 years of age. Venturers take a pledge similar to the Scout oath but enjoy a more challenging program that centers around travel and personal growth.

Venturing is unique in that it allows youth to interact with not only adult leaders, but also with community organizations that peak their interest. This allows teens to develop their goals and skills while simultaneously providing good citizenship to others. They may also acquire skills in "high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, religious life, or Sea Scouting." Venturers will also learn to problem solve and learn to be strong leaders.

Boy Scout Leaders

Adult leaders of Boy Scout groups undergo a background information selection process that screens for potential child abuse. The Boy Scouts of America also interviews the adult on his participation intentions to ensure that he or she will be a high-quality leader.

The Boy Scouts also require that two adult leaders accompany youth on outings and that no one-on-one contact is conducted between the adult leader and the child. Leaders are also required to respect the personal privacy of their scouts and to sleep in separate quarters on overnight adventures. In addition to the above, leaders must also wear proper Boy Scout attire and be responsible for properly conducting their unit. They may also go through extensive leadership training.

Ceremonies, Awards, and Activities

Every Scout has the opportunity to earn awards of distinction in almost every category imaginable. There are often ceremonies to acknowledge the scouts and to present awards and merit badges.

Each Scout has the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that go above and beyond merit badge requirements. He may go camping, learn skits and songs with friends, and learn a variety of useful, life-saving skills.

Scouting is a life opportunity that develops young boys into mature, thoughtful, intelligent, and independent young adults. Scouting also promotes hard work, discipline, respect, loyalty, and community outreach.

The copyright of the article Boy Scouts of America in Kids Activities is owned by Abby Deliz. Permission to republish Boy Scouts of America in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.