Scouts who have been around for a while have surely heard me talk about the Aims and Methods of Scouting. This is one of my favorite topics. The Aims of Scouting in my mind, answer the question: “What are we trying to accomplish?”. There are three Aims of Scouting: Character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. There are eight methods of Scouting. These methods answer the question: “How do we accomplish the aims of Scouting”. The eight methods of Scouting are: The Ideals, patrols, the outdoor program, advancement, association with adults, personal growth, leadership development and the uniform.
Allow me to give you a little more detail on the Aims of Scouting. Character development also known as moral strength and character is what a boy is deep down inside. His personal qualities, his values, and his morals. You may have heard the phrase: “Character Counts”. We want to see boys develop a strong moral character that is based on the Scout oath and Scout law. In short, we want to make good people.
Participating citizenship is the second Aim of Scouting. All boys are likely aware of the three citizenship merit badges which are required for Eagle. Citizenship in the World, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the Community. These Merit Badges as well as service projects, community activities, interactions with others and participation in the Troop are all
designed to develop good citizens. Boys and men with an understanding of their community, country, and world and a desire to participate as a citizen. We can even think of membership in a Scout troop as citizenship.
Finally, personal fitness. The outdoor program, game time, personal fitness merit badge, and many other activities contribute to this final Aim. A Scout is encouraged by the Scout Oath to be “Physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight”. Not every boy will be able to lift heavy weights, run super-fast, or jump high enough to slam dunk a basketball; but every boy can dedicate himself to taking good care of his body through regular exercise, and eating right.
Understanding the Aims of Scouting is key to understanding the Scouting program. This is why we talk about it regularly with the boys and the adults. We want boys to know what they are in for, why certain merit badges are required and what we hope to see them accomplish in their time in Scouting. We want adults to understand that this program is about the boys. It is about developing good citizens, good character, and good fitness.
BSA Troop 204 