The Boy Scout program works toward three 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 the Boy Scout program 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).
Ideals: The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, motto and slogan. The Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what he becomes.
Patrols: The patrol method gives Boy 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 can easily relate to each other. These small groups help determine Troop activities through their elected representatives.
Outdoor program: Boy Scouting is designed to take place in the 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 can be put to practical use. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for God’s handiwork and mankind’s place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Boy Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature’s resources.
Advancement: Boy Scouting’s advancement program provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to overcome. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he overcomes each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. He also gains knowledge in a variety of areas through his work on certain skills and merit badges. The steps in the advancement method help a boy grow in self-reliance and the ability to help others.
Association With Respected Adults: Boys learn from the example of their adult leaders. As he grows, every boy needs contact with men and women of good character he can copy. The Scoutmaster and his assistants provide this as do other adult volunteers, men or woman. Providing a good example is one of the methods of Scouting.
Personal Growth: As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth methods of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. There is probably no device so successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious awards program also plays a large part in the personal growth methods. In addition, frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting’s aims.
Leadership Development: The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy 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 Boy Scout Troop visible as a force of 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 Boy Scout’s commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform also provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.
Should there be a financial obstacle in obtaining a full uniform for your scout, please consult with the Committee Chairman in order to discuss potential remedies. One such remedy is the troop uniform bank where a limited number and sizes of gently used uniform parts are available.
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Equipping you new Scout.
In order to safely and comfortably start enjoying the Scout camping experience, certain minimal personal equipment is required. While group equipment; tents, stoves, lanterns etc. are provided and maintained by the troop, each boy is required to get and maintain his own personal equipment. Such gear may be had at various levels of quality or expense. Consult the personal equipment list in the Boy Scout handbook. In addition to the personal clothing items appropriate for the season, the troop suggests the following minimal equipment for your first campout. As you learn, you can upgrade, change or add to your stuff as you see fit. You must bring what you will need to the camp out. There are no spares to lend. This page addresses some of the basic gear required. There are always alternate things which could be used until you "gear up" properly to suit your needs. The Scoutmaster can help you with your equipment questions.
Tag sales are a great place to find camping gear at low cost.
The Boy Scout Handbook: Get one and start reading. Everything you will need to know is in it. Keep it in a plastic zip lock bag to protect it. The handbook is your basic source of info and the record of your achievements. Bring it to every scout function and protect it from damage. Don't forget to write your name in it. The personal equipment list noted inside is what you'll need.
Sleeping bag: Good sleeping bags can be had at discount stores or found at flea markets / tag sales.
Your first bag should have a synthetic filling and be rated for about 40 degrees F. cold. A great bag liner can be sewn up from a sheet to fit on the inside of the bag. Leave the top and 2/3 of one side of the liner open. This liner will keep your bag clean and make it more comfortable. When we go winter camping you might need to bring a few blankets and blanket pins and a wool hat for your head when sleeping. Sub-zero and costly down bags are really not required. A stuff sack will be required to protect your bag during transport and storage. Plastic trash bags will not do. Go to the forms page to learn how to best launder your sleeping bag. The article; "How to Wash a Sleeping Bag" is most informative.
Sleeping pad: We sleep on the ground when we go camping. It is sometimes soft and level, usually it is not. The sleeping pad is the primary layer of insulation between the ground and the sleeping Scout. Even in warm weather, the ground will rob the sleeper of warmth unless a suitable insulator is used. The sleeping pad will be found to be useful not only as this important insuation but as a comfortable surface to seep on. A basic closed cell foam pad can be had at low cost at most discount stores that offer camping gear. It will do fine to start. Make sure to buy or make a couple straps to keep it rolled up. Make a fabric drawstring bag to put it in to keep it clean.
Back pack with frame: You will eventually want to get a back pack for toten' your stuff around. There is no need to run out and get one immediately. Look around at tag sales for something used to start. Most troop campouts can be packed for using a military style duffel bag available from military surplus stores etc. Another solution could be a large athletic style gear bag that can be purchased economically at discount stores in the luggage section. Learn to understand how the various types of packs work and the kinds of gear you will need to pack before buying something new. Good packs are expensive, their purchase should not be rushed into until you understand what you will need and how you will pack it.
Eating gear: A good first kit of eating gear would look like this. Heavy duty plastic knife fork and spoon. Wendy's provides great stuff at its restaurants. Bring a couple sets and plan on washing them between uses. A camp cup that looks like a coffee mug with a handle for your finger is best. Melamine (stiff) plastic is preferred as when it is used with hot beverages, the heat will not hurt the fingers. Eight inch plate and small bowl. Both heavy (melamine) plastic. If you can stand on them and they won't bend or break, it will do. Scratch your name on the bottom of your gear. All this will fit well in a one gallon plastic zip lock bag or a draw string bag made from any thing handy. Do not buy or plan to use military or other styles of metal eating (mess) gear (cup, bowl, plate). Metal knife, fork and soup spoon borrowed from the home will do if the lighter plastic is not available.
Rain gear: An inexpensive plastic poncho will do to start. Keep it folded in a zip lock bag.
Boots: A pair of boots that fit is necessary for many camping locations as the ground is usually uneven. Boots should be laced up properly to support the ankles and to protect against falling injuries. They should be treated with a waterproofing coating which should be re-applied from time to time. Some may want to purchase boots sized a bit larger than we are today so that we can grow into them. This is fine. You will need some good socks to wear in layers to fill up the boots until you do grow and you will need to use them. Buy quality blends of fabrics in socks intended for hiking and reserve them for Scouting and camping. Take care of your feet and you'll always have fun at scout camps. If we go camping at district or council events or attend at district winter events, boots are required.
Flashlight: A flashlight you can drop and will still work is best. One that uses two "D" size cells. Always bring spare batteries and bulb. Store your flashlight with one of the cells in backwards. Should it turn on in your pack or in storage the batteries won't run down.
Personal first aid kit. Make up a kit and keep it in a small zip lock bag in your gear. Contents are described in the Scout handbook.
Grooming kit: "A Scout is Clean". Comb, tooth brush and small tube of paste, half a bar of soap in its own zip lock bag, medium size towel. Get a roll of toilet tissue when it's nearly at the end, about 1/4 inch thickness left, flatten it out and put it in a small zip lock bag. This should all fit in a large zip lock bag.
Folding knife: There is no need to rush out to buy your scout a folding or pocket knife. BSA policy requires that a boy learn safe knife, saw and hand ax usage before he may be permitted to use these tools in Scouting. These skills are learned among the Second Class rank requirements and their attainment is demonstrated by the award of a "Toten Chip" card. No Scout may use an edged tool without possession of a Toten Chip. BSA policy requires all knives carried by Scouts (adults and boys) to be a folding type. Sheath knives are specifically not permitted. When shopping for a folding knife, avoid the temptation to purchase a knife with numerous folding accessories. Most are useless in Scouting. A useful knife will have one or two short blades and perhaps a can opener and little more. Folding knifes are to be carried in a belt pouch. Not in a pocket. A short piece of bright colored ribbon or twine should be tied onto the ring. This flag will permit your Scout to find his knife when it is dropped onto the forest floor.
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