The aims of Scouting are character development, citizenship training, personal fitness (both mental and physical), and leadership development. Today we look at how character development is incorporated into the Scouting programs offered by BSA.
Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts also have lots of character development material incorporated into the program.
- Some activities help Cub Scouts think about how they can make the right choices in their everyday lives
- Religious emblem programs help develop their spiritual lives
- Cub Scouts learn the basics of what to do in an emergency and how to get help
- The Cub Scout motto – Do Your Best – serves as a guide for their actions and participation
Character development is such an important part of a youth’s education. I’m glad that we can do our part teaching our youth through the Scouting program.
Scouts BSA
The Scouts BSA advancement program provides lots of opportunity for character development:
- The Scout Law is basically a roadmap for character development: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, clean, brave, and reverent
- Opportunities for leadership help develop confidence
- Instruction in first aid and emergency preparedness help Scouts prepare to take care of themselves and others when their help is most needed
- Religious observance is a regular part of the Scouts BSA program
Venturing
Character development is an integral part of the Venturing program:
- Venturing is based on the ALPS model. The P in ALPS stands for Personal Growth. Venturers learn to set goals to develop character.
- Venturers develop leadership skills by planning their program
- With the program emphasis on teaching skills to others, Venturers learn to see through a perspective other than their own.
- A Venturer lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
- The TRUST Award helps Venturers explore their own faith and respect the beliefs of others.
Ideas and resources for building character:
Inspiration, Cubmaster Minutes, Scoutmaster Minutes
Cubmaster Minutes, Scoutmaster Minutes, Advisor Minutes are inspirational thoughts to help achieve BSA’s aim of character development.
Do you have a minute or an inspirational story that you’d like to share? Contact me and I’ll share it here.
How the Scout Law Relates to the Ten Commandments
A Scout is Reverent. One interesting exercise is to compare the twelve points of the Scout Law to the Ten Commandments. For Scouts whose faith do not include these, they may use their own precepts.
Visiting a Religious Monument – Try a Faith Hike
A Wolf den leader asked a question about how to fulfill the Footsteps of Faith requirement. She wanted to take her Wolves to a Buddhist temple in the neighborhood so they could learn about a different faith, but the Cubmaster objected. What do you do when the Cubmaster is opposed to the location you want to visit?
Citizenship Football Game
The purpose of the game is to reinforce the ideas which are discussed in the Webelos Citizen activity badge.
Magic Words Ceremony
This is a ceremony from an old roundtable handout. It would fit with any meeting where Cub Scouts working on improving their manners or are learning that words matter. Use it as a closing ceremony.
Flip the Bird Tag
Flip the Bird tag is an active game which is a combination of tag and keep away. In it, a players work together to keep their friends from being tagged.
Bear Fellowship and Duty to God Adventure Helps and Documents
Fellowship and Duty to God is one of the Bear required adventures. For this adventure, Bears either earn the religious emblem for their faith or explore the practice and history of their beliefs.
God Is Great Grace (Rock Around the Clock)
Singing a grace is a nice way to remember that “A Scout Is Reverent” when you are out at camp this summer. At our local Cub Scout camp, packs take turns volunteering to lead grace in the dining hall. Teaching them grace as a song will help five or six of them get up and do it together.
Scout Law Word Search Puzzle
The Scout Law is the same for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturers. So learning the Scout Law is important across age levels. This word search puzzle would make a fun warm up or gathering activity for any meeting focused on Scout basics such as the Scout Law. Feel free to download and use this printable.
Trustworthy Tommy Song
Webelos need to learn about the Scout Law for their Webelos badge and their Arrow of Light Award. This classic Scout song is a fun way to help them learn it.
Missing Popcorn Sale Money
A reader asks what to do when the money for the unit popcorn sale doesn’t add up.
Pack Meeting Ideas for January – Positive Attitude
The core value for Cub Scouts for the month of January is Positive Attitude. According to the program helps, this means being cheerful and setting our minds to look for and find the best in all situations.
Cubs in Shining Armor Theme
The Cubs in Shining Armor theme revolves around the ideas of honor and service. So organize a summer service project. Knights went on quests, so you could have some sort of fun “quest scavenger hunt”.
Cubmaster’s Minute – Gandhi’s Shoe
The core value for January for Cub Scouts is positive attitude. This Cubmaster minute uses a story about Gandhi to demonstrate what positive attitude means. You could even have a few den chiefs act this out while you tell the story.
Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines
Leave No Trace is an outdoor ethics program which encourages responsible use of outdoor resources. The frontcountry guidelines are the guidelines for day-use areas like parks and trails.
The USO’s Tips for Sending a Care Package to Troops
Does your unit want to send a care package to our troops? This article will help you locate a USO center to get started and has some ideas for what to put in the perfect care package.
Show Me the Truth Game
Let’s be honest. Some of the Cub Scout requirements which are all talking can be tough to do with a group of restless boys. Sometimes when I am looking at a requirement and I see the words Character Connection, my first instinct is to sigh. But then I take a deep breath and remember that playing a game can make it fun.
Thank You Note Template for Thanking a Special Person
It is really important for kids to learn how to say “Thank You”. Gratitude is something which needs to be taught, and Cub Scouts is a perfect forum for doing this.
Chaplain Aide Training
A reader asks “Can someone please share with me how you run training for Chaplain’s Aide?”
Respect Ceremony for Cub Scouts
The core value for Cub Scouts for the month of December is Respect. This is a simple ceremony which can be used as an opening or a closing for a meeting.
Messengers of Peace
The Boy Scouts of America joined the Messengers of Peace initiative in 2012. This program encourages Scouts around the world to work for peace by being a positive force in their communities.
