THE AIMS AND METHODS OF THE BOY SCOUT PROGRAM

AIMS

Boy Scouting works toward three (3) aims.  One is growth in moral strength and character.  We may define this as what the boy is himself: his personal qualities, his values, 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 that 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 are seeking

METHODS

Advancement

Scounting 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 hi 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".

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.

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 imporve.  The goals are high, and as he reaches for them he has some 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 easily can relate to each other.  These small groups determine troop activities through their elected representatives.

Outdoors

Boy 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.

Leadership Development

Boy Scouting 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 Scouting 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 the 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.

SCOUT MOTTO
Be Prepared

SCOUT SLOGAN
Do a Good Turn Daily

Our primary focus is on fun, friendship, Scout personal development, and advancement.

We have over 40 registered Scouts, ranging in rank from Joining to Eagle.  Our Scouts advance quickly - - we cover advancement activities at Troop meetings and at our campouts.  Scouts can return from a camping weekend with 8 or more advancement requirements under their belt.

We have a wide variety of activities that we do - -

• weekend campouts, both tenting and indoors, and both "car camping" and backpacking;
• touring weekends, such as visits to Edwards Air Force Base and Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station;
• special trips, such as canoeing and wilderness backpacks
• special events, such as fundraising and community service work;
• day activities, such as swimming, day hikes, bike rides bowling, laser tag,...
• Scout summer camps, at a variety of different BSA camps.

We hold regular meetings to help the Scouts develop their planning skills --

• Troop meetings every Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in our own meeting room;
• Green Bar meeting for the youth leaders to plan their activities and advancement;
• Parents' meetings, held monthly, for administrative business, news, and coordination.

Troop 716 was formed in 1979.  Since then, we have had approximately 200 young men participate in the Troop.  From this group, many stay with the program until they are 18 years old, and 39 of them have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, demonstrating skill, leadership, and civic pride.  This represents about 18% of all Scouts that begin the program with us; the national average is just about 1%. Many of our adult leaders have put in consistent years of service to insure that the Troop runs smoothly.  It is the stability of the adult leadership that has formed a stable environment for the Scouts to grow in.

Our troop is open to boys who are 11 through 17 years old, have earned their Arrow of Light [Cub Scouting award], or have completed the fifth grade.

Interested? Send an e-mail to the Scoutmaster.