Boy Scouting

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.

Specifically, the BSA endeavors to develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have personal values based on religious concepts; have the desire and skills to help others; understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world; have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society.

First Class Requirement
Beginning January 1, 2006, an additional requirement will be added to the requirements for First Class rank in Boy Scouting. Scouts beginning their First Class requirement work after this date must complete the new requirement. Scouts working on First Class requirements prior to this date will have until June 3, 2006 to complete First Class rank without completing the new requirement.

The new requirement tests the candidate’s persuasive communications skills and can help make Scouting available to more boys. It reads as follows:

"Tell someone who is eligible to joint Boy Scouts, or an inactive Boy Scout about your troop’s activities. Invite him to a troop outing, activity, service project, or meeting. Tell him how to join, or encourage the inactive Boy Scout to become active."

The Boy Scout Handbook and 2006 Requirements book will be updated with this new detail.

All Scoutmasters were sent a DVD containing tools that young Scouts can use to assist them in completing this requirement, including a video that rains them how to speak to their friends about joining, and a video of Scout activity images they can share with someone interested in joining. Also, Scouts can find support for the completion of this requirement on the Boy Scout membership Web site, www.thescoutzone.org.

Learn more about Boy Scouting

Boy Scout Leader Fast Start online self-study course