What Is Boy Scouting?
Increasing responsibility, leadership experiences, camping, outdoor activities, service projects, and a challenging, individualized advancement program mentored by adult volunteers are key elements of the Boy Scout Program. Weekly meetings are led and run by the Scouts, with adult guidance. Members are introduced to over 100 hobby and career choices through merit badges and goal setting/achievement through an awards program that culminates in the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Eligibility - Boys may join when they have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 years old or have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 and are under the age of 18.

As boys complete the fifth grade, earn the Arrow of Light, or turn 11 years of age, they are ready to continue their journey of character development and self discovery. Boy Scouts embrace new challenges as they assume leadership roles. They accept new responsibilities, develop new skills, and improve their self-esteem. The program achieves the BSA’s objectives of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness.

Scouting provides many opportunities to learn skills and take part in terrific adventures. The Boy Scouts of America recognize achievements by awarding badges of rank. The requirements to earn each rank are more challenging than the one before it. Each rank prepares the Scout to be a better camper, hiker, Scout, and citizen.

Visit www.thescoutzone.org for more about Boy Scouting

A successful Troop meeting begins with advance planning. In recent research, the BSA determined that inadequately planned and executed troop meetings were the number one cause for boys to leave Scouting. They developed a series of Troop Program Planning Features to help Troops focus on a single theme.

Troop Program Features Volume I  supplies ideas for Aquatics, Athletics, Backpacking, Boating/Canoeing, Business, Camping, Citizenship, Communications, Cooking, Cultural Awareness, Emergency Preparedness & Engineering.

Troop Program Features Volume II supplies ideas for Environment, First Aid, Fishing, Forestry, Health Care, High Adventure, Hiking, Hobbies, Leadership, Mechanics, Nature, & Orienteering.

Troop Program Features Volume III supplies ideas for Physical Fitness, Pioneering, Public Service, Safety, Science, Shooting, Sports, Tracking, Wilderness Survival, Wildlife Management, & Winter Camping

 

Boy Scout Summer Camp is coming very soon. For some boys it will be a renewal of the memorable events of previous year/years at camp. For others it will be a first time adventure. Life at Summer Camp is information about what happens at Simon Kenton Council's camps. Vern Margard, Scoutmaster of Troop 417 in Upper Arlington has put together this information about summer camp & the additional tips for leaders and parents that follows.