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.
Table of Contents
Ideas and resources for building character:
Top ideas for Character Development
Gives Goodwill (Citizenship and Service) Pack Meeting Plan
The Gives Goodwill meeting plan features ideas for the core value of citizenship – games, group activities, songs, and more. This theme has an emphasis on the importance of serving…
The Aims of Scouting
The Boy Scouts of America enumerates four aims of Scouting – Character Development, Citizenship, Leadership Development, and Fitness.
Faith Requirements for Cub Scouts and Agnostics
Two Cub Scout leaders ask about how to complete the faith related requirements with Cub Scouts who are raised in agnostic homes.
Webelos Duty to God and You Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas
Duty to God and You is one of the Webelos required adventures For this adventure, Webelos either earn the religious emblem of their faith or plan and take part in…
Lion Build It Up, Knock It Down Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas
For the Build It Up, Knock It Down adventure, Lions learn about building up structures and people
Passport to Other Lands Cub Scout Theme (Respect)
The Passport to Other Lands meeting plan features ideas for the core value of respect- games, group activities, songs, and more. These focus on the value of respect.
Ideas for February Cub Scout Theme – Resourcefulness
The core value for Cub Scouts for the month of February is resourcefulness. How can resourcefulness be incorporated into a pack program?
Helping an Auditory Learner with Webelos Requirements
A reader asks about helping an auditory learner with the Webelos requirements. Songs can be a big help to auditory learners.
Tiger Earning Your Stripes Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Documents
Earning Your Stripes is one of the Tiger elective adventures. For this adventure, Tiger Cubs and their adult partners practice loyalty and good manners. They also do a service project.
Even more resources for Character Development
Pack Meeting Plan for Lights, Camera, Action (Positive Attitude)
BSA has a Cub Scout pack meeting plan called Lights, Camera, Action related to positive attitude. The Lights, Camera, Action meeting plan features ideas for the core value of positive…
Lion I’ll Do It Myself Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas
For the I’ll Do It Myself adventure, Lions learn how to do simple tasks independently.
Turn Back the Clock Cub Scout Theme (Resourcefulness)
A supplemental meeting plan theme called Turn Back the Clock was provided by BSA a few years ago. “When you look back in time, it is easy to find many…
Here is a Scoutmaster minute which is appropriate this time of year. Challenge your Scouts BSA to show their thankfulness for their freedom by doing more than just say the…
Tigers or Eagles Cubmaster Minute (Responsibility)
This is a Cubmaster minute which is based on one of the old program helps plans. It goes well with this month’s core value of responsibility.
A Scout understand that there is a greater power at work in the world. A Scout does his or her Duty to God and works to cooperate with that power.…
International Spirit Award for Scouts BSA
The International Spirit Award recognizes Scouts who learn more about Scouting around the world. By doing the requirements for this award, members of Scouts BSA learn to appreciate different cultures.
Scout spirit is mentioned in several of the requirements for Scouts BSA ranks. But what is Scout spirit and how does a Scout go about demonstrating it?
Scouts are known for their honesty. Saying “Scout’s Honor” is a way of saying “You can trust me”. Here are some ideas for the first point of the Scout Law.…
Duty to God is an important part of Scouting, so don’t forget to say grace at Scouting events. This is a non-denominational grace which would be appropriate at any meal.
To be loyal means to be faithful. It also means to do the right thing. We can be loyal by standing up for a friend who is being bullied. Loyalty…
A Scout knows that being brave is different than being reckless or foolish. A Scout who is brave is able to face difficult situations without being controlled by fear. Here…
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