Have you ever met a Bobcat, Wolf, or Bear? Perhaps you know a Tenderfoot? If so, you probably know someone who belongs to the Boy Scouts.

The Boy Scouts is a worldwide organization for young people. It teaches them to be good citizens and prepares them for the responsibilities of adulthood. The Boy Scouts’ motto is “Be Prepared.”

SCOUTING AROUND THE WORLD

Scouting began in England in 1907. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) started three years later. Today, there are Boy Scout programs in more than 140 countries. In the United States alone, there are over 4 million Scouts!

WHAT DO SCOUTS DO?

Boy Scouts learn useful skills while having fun. Scouts swim and play sports, go camping and hiking, and learn how to survive in the outdoors. They learn how to protect the environment and conserve resources.

Other Scout activities include making arts and crafts, learning first aid, and learning how to use computers or fix cars. Scouts often do community service and volunteer work.

Scouting has many ranks. Scouts advance through the ranks by learning new skills and earning badges.

Scouts learn teamwork and cooperation by working together. Scout law requires Scouts to practice many virtues. Among them, a Scout should be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, and cheerful.

FOUR KINDS OF SCOUTS

There are four main levels of the Boy Scouts of America. Boys who are in first grade or are seven years old can enter the Tiger Cubs. Each Tiger Cub has an adult partner. Uniforms are optional for Tiger Cubs. Scouts and adults may wear orange Tiger T-shirts and hats.

Boys who are in second grade or are at least eight years old can join the Cub Scouts. The Cub Scouts wear blue uniforms with blue and gold scarves.

Boys who are 11 to 17 years old can join the Boy Scouts. Boy Scouts wear khaki uniforms that include caps, scarves, shirts, and pants.

Boys and girls who are 14 to 20 years old can join the Venturing program. This program helps young people develop leadership skills. Members of the Venturing program wear green uniforms.

CUB SCOUTS

Cub Scouts complete a series of indoor and outdoor activities to earn badges. These activities include learning to swim, tying knots, and using tools. By earning activity badges, Cub Scouts move up through the ranks.

The Cub Scouts has four ranks: Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos. Webelos, the highest Cub Scout rank, is short for “We’ll Be Loyal Scouts.”

Cub Scouts belong to a den made up of six to eight boys who live near each other. Several dens are grouped together to form a pack.

BOY SCOUTS

Boy Scouts take part in projects by themselves and as part of a group. Boy Scouts earn merit badges to advance in rank. Each merit badge requires a Scout to master different skills. The most popular merit badges include first aid, environmental science, swimming, and leatherwork. Merit badges are offered in more than 100 different areas.

The Boy Scout ranks are Tenderfoot, Second-Class, First-Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouting. To achieve this rank, a Scout must earn many merit badges and do community service. Only about 1 percent of all Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout award.

Boy Scouts are grouped into patrols, with up to eight Scouts each. Four patrols together form a troop.

VENTURING SCOUTS

In the Venturing program, Scouts are grouped in crews. Young people lead the crews in activities that include outdoor challenges and adventures. Adults help out as they are needed. Venturing crews are required to teach what they have learned to others.

Venturing crews have sailed the Caribbean Sea and climbed mountains. They have produced plays and taught disabled people to swim. Venturing crews choose their own projects with the guidance of their adult advisers.

 Source: Microsoft ® Encarta

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