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Aims and Methods of the Scouting Program
The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.

Ideals
The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Boy 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 and who he becomes.

Patrols
The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.

Outdoor Programs
Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

Advancement
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.

Associations With Adults
Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

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 method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. 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 role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Uniform
The uniform makes the Boy 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 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 is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.

Volunteer Scouters

Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Boy Scouting program. They serve in a variety of jobs--everything from unit leaders to chairmen of troop committees, committee members, merit badge counselors, and chartered organization representatives.

Like other phases of the program, Boy Scouting is made available to community organizations having similar interests and goals. Chartered organizations include professional organizations; governmental bodies; and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. Each organization appoints one of its members as the chartered organization representative. The organization is responsible for leadership, the meeting place, and support for troop activities.

Who Pays for It?

Several groups are responsible for supporting Boy Scouting: the boy and his parents, the troop, the chartered organization, and the community. Boys are encouraged to earn money whenever possible to pay their own expenses, and they also contribute dues to their troop treasuries to pay for budgeted items. Troops obtain additional income by working on approved money-earning projects. The community, including parents, supports Scouting through the United Way, Friends of Scouting campaigns, bequests, and special contributions to the BSA local council. This income provides leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional service for units.

Camping Program
Whatever your camping interest might be, Circle Ten Council has a gateway you can enter to fulfill a variety of outdoor program adventures. Camping at our four beautiful camps: Camp Wisdom, James Ray Scout Reservation, Camp Constantin/Jack D. Furst Aquatics Base, and the Clements Scout Ranch is available to registered Boy Scouts, Varsity, and Venture Scouts not only during the summer, but year round and at no cost for the use of the facilities.

Boy Scouts

Boy Scouting is available to boys who are 11 through 17 years old. The program achieves the BSA's objectives of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness. In Boy Scouting, Scouts learn life skills, explore the great outdoors, meet new friends, give service to their communities, and much, much, more….

What activities does Boy Scouting include?

Your organization will work most closely with the Boy Scout troop. The troop includes all adult leaders and the boys who are divided into patrols.

Troop Activities
Most Troops meet every week and hold regonition ceremonies (Courts of Honor) quarterly. Usually, in a meeting room provided by the chartered organization, though troop meetings and activities are often held outdoors when the weather permits. Parents/guardians/and siblings attend the Court of Honor. This meeting follows a program that includes opening and closing ceremonies, recognition of Scouts who have earned ranks, merit badges, and other awards.

In addition to regular troop meetings, occasionally the troop or individual patrol may take field trips and conduct service projects or money-earning activities. During the summer, the troop will attend a week long summer camp. Many troops also hold a family campout once a year.

Patrol Activities
A patrol is a group of six to eight boys within the troop that meets occasionally between troop meetings. In most instances, it is not necessary for your organization to provide facilities for patrol meetings and activities; patrols often meet at the patrol leader's home or another location convenient to the members of the patrol.

Older Scouts (age 14 - 17), may participate in an older boy patrol. These Scouts often mentor the younger scouts. Older boy patrols will often attend a high adventure camp during the summer.

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