For Parents

For almost 100 years, Scouting programs have instilled in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Today, these values are just as relevant in helping youth grow to their full potential as they were in 1910. Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives. The world of Boy Scouting can seem strange and confusing to new parents, even those who have been involved in Cub Scouting or who were Boy Scouts themselves. This brief orientation—actually a series of brief presentations that can be mixed and matched—is designed to draw new parents into the troop experience and give them the information they need to enjoy the program and help their sons succeed.

The Boy Scouts of America provides youth with programs and activities that allow them to

• Try new things.
• Provide service to others.
• Build self-confidence.
• Reinforce ethical standards.

While various activities and youth groups teach basic skills and promote teamwork, Scouting goes beyond that and encourages youth to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community.

Scouting provides youth with a sense that they are important as individuals. It is communicated to them that those in the Scouting family care about what happens to them, regardless of whether a game is won or lost.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, peer pressure can be resisted and the right choices can be made.

Adult Leader Trainings

Camping

The Boy Scouts of America has established the following guidelines for its members’ participation in camping activities:

District & Council Adult Recognition

Join Scouting

By registering your child in a Scouting program, he or she will have a lot of fun – while being challenged to develop leadership skills in an environment that stresses the importance of moral and ethical behavior.

Stop Bullying

The safety of your scout is the number one priority of the BSA. The BSA Youth Protection Guidelines and barriers to abuse are proven to keep young people safe in Scouting. Every Scout, parent, and volunteer, should be protected from bullying, harassment, improper touching and all other negative behaviors. No one should be threatened, harassed or abused, either verbally or physically in any way. Everyone in Scouting is expected to act in accordance with the Scout Oath & Law at all times.

Uniforms

The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body. Its uniforms help to create a sense of belonging. They symbolize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Wearing a uniform gives youth and adult members a sense of identification and commitment.

Wood Badge

Wood Badge is the most advanced adult leader training available.  A Scouter participating in Wood Badge has the opportunity to understand Scouting as a family of interrelated, values-based programs providing age-appropriate activities for youth.  It recognizes contemporary leadership concepts and will help the participant discover how they are relevant to the Scouting movement and apply the skills learned as a member of a successful working team.  The course will revitalize their commitment to Scouting by sharing in an inspirational experience that provides Scouting with renewed leadership, resulting in a greater youth retention.  Many Scouters consider Wood Badge to be a peak experience in their Scouting career.

Youth Safety

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for all our programs.