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The mission of The Boy scouTs of AmericA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Every day across America, Scouts and their leaders pledge to live up
to the promise in the Scout Oath—“On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight”—and the Scout Law:
“A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
As the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values- based leadership training, the Boy Scouts of America will continue in the future to:
—Offer young people responsible fun and adventure.
—Instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
—Train young people in citizenship, service, and leadership.
—Serve America’s communities and families with its quality values-based program.
The Values of Americans—
A Study of Ethics and Character (Boy Scouts of America, Youth and Family Research Center,
May 2005) revealed that Scouts have higher self-confidence, better leadership skills, and a greater interest in helping others compared with youth who are not Scouts. To address the issues that confront many of today’s families and young people—poor health, hunger, homelessness, often accompanied by no clear sense
of personal mission or purpose— America needs leaders who “show a great interest in helping others.”
America needs Scouts.
The Boy Scouts of America offers young people almost limitless possibilities for learning, growing, and having fun. Through Scouting, millions of people have benefited from opportunities for adventure, skill building, personal development, and community service. Annually, Scouts and Scouting leaders volunteer some 30 million hours of service to their communities through more than 75,000 service projects, meeting a wide
range of needs in the areas of food, shelter, education, and environmental conservation.
TRAdITION MEETS TOMORROW
This book—like the Boy Scouts of America itself—stands at the intersection of the past and the future.
PART ONE commemorates the BSA’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. Captured within these pages are images of a nation joining the fun and discovering that Scouting is as vital and relevant in the 21st century as when the Scouting journey began.
PART TWO tells the story of the National Scouting Museum, which officially turned 50 when the BSA reached the century mark. The museum showcases the whole story of Scouting, all under one roof. It is an exciting place, full of adventure as well as historical treasures.
PART THREE carries Scouting into the future with a look at the Summit, the BSA’s home for high adventure in the Appalachian Mountains. With its acquisition of more than 10,000 acres in a setting of rugged natural beauty, the Boy Scouts of America has set the stage for its second century of preparing America’s youth to live, work, and play with character and integrity.