Aims of Scouting – Leadership Development

The aims of Scouting are character development, citizenship training, personal fitness (both mental and physical), and leadership development.

So how is leadership development incorporated into the Scouting programs offered by BSA?

Below are shown just a few ways that leadership development is promoted in the various levels of Scouting. And it is important for all of us Scouters to set a good example and to try and improve our own fitness also.

How does your unit incorporate fitness into its program? Put your ideas in the comments at the bottom of this post.

• Cub Scouts learn to speak in front of others through den demonstrations
• They can help with tasks at den meetings and pack meetings
• They learn about standing up for others

Lion I’ll Do It Myself Adventure

For the I’ll Do It Myself adventure, Lion Cub Scouts learn how to do simple tasks independently.

Lion King of the Jungle Adventure

For the King of the Jungle adventure, Lions learn about how to handle the US flag and about responsibility and leadership.

Lion Pick My Path Adventure

For the Pick My Path adventure, Lions learn how make choices and teach others.

Wolf Cubs Who Care Adventure

Cubs Who Care is one of the Wolf Cub Scout elective adventures. For the Cubs Who Care adventure, Wolves learn about the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Grin and Bear It Adventure

Grin and Bear It is one of the Bear elective adventures. For this adventure, Bears play a game and hold a Cub Scout Carnival at a pack meeting.

Webelos Aware and Care Adventure

Aware and Care is one of the Webelos/Arrow of Light elective adventures. For this adventure, Webelos learn about the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Webelos First Responder Adventure

For the First Responder adventure, youth learn some basic first aid and emergency preparedness skills. They learn to respond to situations like choking, shock, bites and stings, cuts, cuts, burns, and more.

Arrow of Light Building a Better World Adventure

The requirements for the Building a Better World adventure help youth learn about good citizenship and good stewardship of our resources. Webelos working towards Arrow of Light will learn about the flag, become more engaged in their communities, explore energy conservation, and develop leadership skills.

• Scouts are required to take on leadership positions for rank advancement
• They learn to teach skills to others
• To attain the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must plan and carry out a significant leadership project

BSA Methods – The Patrol Method

The methods of Scouting are the ways that Scouting’s aims of developing character, citizenship, and fitness in youth are achieved. One of the methods is “the patrol method”.

Project Planning Program Feature for Scouts BSA Troops

The Project Planning feature helps youth leaders learn how to accomplish their goals, whether that be a service project or a troop campout or planning other activities together. The troop does a group exercise of planning and carrying out a recycle regatta.

Scouts BSA Youth Leadership Positions

A Scouts BSA Troop is actually run by its youth leaders. See the list of Scouts BSA youth leadership positions.

• Venturers participate in numerous leadership trainings, including mentoring, time management, Kodiak Challenge, and NYLT
• Almost all Venturing awards require teaching others
• To earn the Summit award, a Venturer must plan and carry out a significant leadership project

Venturing Crew Officers

The leadership structure in a Venturing Crew is much different than in a Scouts BSA Troop. Venturing offices are President, Vice President – Administration, Vice President – Program, Secretary, and Treasurer.

The Methods of Scouting – Teaching Others

One of the methods for Venturers is “teaching others”. Teaching others is the best way to really acquire deep knowledge of an area. By sharing their skills with others, Venturers retain their knowledge better and provide service to others

The Aims of Scouting

It is important to remember why we are doing this. Focusing on the Aims of Scouting will help us push the distractions aside and stay positive in our efforts.

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