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The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
The Aims of Scouting
The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are
Character Development
Citizenship Training
Personal Fitness.
These Aims are achieved through eight methods.
The Methods of Scouting
Scouting Ideals
Patrols
Outdoor Programs
Advancement
Personal Growth
Adult Association
Leadership Development
Scout Uniform
The Ideals of Scouting
Scout Slogan
Scout Law
Scout Oath
Scout Motto
The Scout Slogan
The Scout Law
The Scout Oath
The Scout Motto
The Aims of Scouting
The Aims of Scouting
Character: Scouts BSA works toward three aims. One is growth in moral strength and character. This may be defined as what the boy is—his personal qualities, his values, his outlook.
Citizenship: The second aim is citizenship training. 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, and to the government that presides over that society.
Fitness: The third aim is development of personal 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).
To accomplish these aims, Scouts BSA has developed its program using eight methods.
The Methods of Scouting
The Methods of Scouting
Patrols
Patrols. The patrol method gives Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches youth 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.
Ideals
Ideals. The ideals of Scouts BSA 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.
Outdoor Programs
Outdoor Programs. 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 Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.
Advancement
Advancement. Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Scout plans their advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps them gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Associations With Adults
Associations With Adults. Youth 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 youth, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.
Personal Growth
Personal Growth. As 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 Scouting. Youth 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 Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.
Leadership Development
Leadership Development. The Scout program encourages youth to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a youth accept the leadership role of others and guides them toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.
Uniform
The uniform makes the Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Scout activities and provides a way for Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.
Troop 203
Troop 203
For over 60 years, First United Methodist Church in downtown Hershey has chartered Scouts BSA Troop 203. In 2023, the Hershey Rotary Club took over as our chartered organization, but we still meet at First UMC. Troop size grows and shrinks over time and leadership comes and goes, but one thing has remained a constant.
Troop 203 has maintained a program implementing the Aims of Scouting, utilizing the methods of scouting, and following the Ideals of scouting to provide youth in the greater Hershey area a quality experience.
The Troop has earned the Journey to Excellence Award each year since 2017. This means, the Troop excels at a number of benchmarks outlined by the New Birth of Freedom Council that looks at Troop performance and programming.
With monthly outings, camping trips, weekly meetings, and other community events, Troop 203 offers experiences and access to experiences helping to build character development, citizenship, and personal fitness.
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