“EXTRA”

     SAVE                                SAVE

 

        August                    Special Issue for Members                            2007

 

This issue aimed at informing all members, parents and leaders about Scouting!

 

Feature Areas

 

General Boy Scouts of America….pg 1

Hoosier Trails Council…………...pg 2

Boy Scout & Varsity Information..pg 3

Cub Scout Information…………...pg 4-5

Boys’ Life………………………...pg 6

Council Budget…………………...pg 6

Popcorn…………………………...pg 6

Letter to Leaders………………….pg 8

Letter to Parents…………………..pg 8

 

 

BSA Mission Statement

 

It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetime in achieving their full potential.

 

The values we strive to instill are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law:

 

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 strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

 

Scout Law

 

A Scout is:

Trustworthy

Loyal

Helpful

Friendly

Courteous

Kind

Obedient

Cheerful

Thrifty

Brave

Clean

Reverent

 

Scouting’s Purpose

 

The Boy Scouts of America has been teaching character, citizenship and personal fitness since 1910.  It is a comprehensive youth development program.  That means that when all of its methods are used young people will

be happier,  more successful adults.  They will display traits of character such as honesty and loyalty.  They will understand how democracy and capitalism work.  They will be mentally, morally and physically fit.

 

Several studies by the Louis Harris Company verify these claims.  The studies also indicate that the longer a member stays in Scouting the more successful he will be as an adult.  It is also known that members whose parents encourage their children in Scouting and whose parents participate with their child will enjoy and stay in Scouting longer.  Staying longer results in better lifelong results for the child.

 

BSA Methods:

 

*The most important method of the Boy Scouts of America is the appropriately trained volunteer leader role model.  You or other adults provide that role model using the literature of the Boy Scouts as your guide.

 

*Advancement gives your child and you a chance to learn and practice new skills.  It supports your child’s efforts in school.  It teaches such things as the work ethic, planning, leadership, and responsibility.  With your help, your child will achieve and by achieving increase his self esteem.

 

*The Patrol or Den or Committee are the smaller groups of kids in packs, troops or crews.  These small groups give your child a chance to learn to work with others, to practice leadership, and take responsibility.  A boy is first a den or patrol member.  That small group membership gives him a feeling of belonging.

 

*The outdoor program with its camping, hiking, and learning about nature is the core of Scouting particularly Boy Scouting.  Camp becomes the laboratory where young people practice all that Scouting teaches.  It’s fun and exciting while being healthy and safe.

 

*The uniform increases a members feeling of belonging.  It strengthens his commitment to Scouting.  As his identity as a Scout increases his identity as an individual also increases.

 

*A code of behavior is needed by us all.  The Mottos, Slogans, Oaths, and Laws of the various age groups of Scouting provide a foundation for young people that will serve them well all of their lives.

 

Your child may not be a President like John Kennedy, Gerald Ford or George W. Bush, an astronaut like John Glenn or Neil Armstrong,  a corporate CEO like Norman Augustine, of Lockheed Marietta, or a sports star like Steve Young and Barry Larkin.  Your Scout will be successful in life if you and he take advantage of the methods of Scouting.

 

Age Appropriate

 

Each group within Scouting has age appropriate activities and groupings.  Tiger Cubs-1st graders belong to small parent child dens where parents take turns providing activities.  In Cub Scouts boys meet as dens with other boys their age and volunteer den leaders.  Parents are responsible for Cub Scout advancement.  In Webelos boys are still in dens but their leaders are more responsible for their advancement. 

 

When a boy becomes a Boy Scout he is led by older boys and his peers with close adult supervision.  His advancement is monitored by other boys and his adult leaders.  Parents can help but recognition and testing are done by his leaders.

 

In Venturing the high school age group of the Boy Scouts there is a recognition program.  It is a coeducational group with an emphasis on learning adult life skills.  Leadership is primarily provided by the youth members.  Adults provide expertise and set limits.

 

United Way/Fund

 

Our Council is a member of 8 United Ways and United Funds.  These organizations give their communities an opportunity to support Scouting financially.  When you support your local United Way/Fund you are supporting Scouting as well as other programs in your community.  In many counties donor designation to the Boy Scouts is the only way you can guarantee support of Scouting.        Just write Hoosier Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America on your pledge card.

1