The BSA and Scouting

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.

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.

For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

Overview of Our Programs

Cub Scouts

  • Motto: Do Your Best
  • For boys in first grade through fifth grade (or seven through 10 years of age)
  • 2011 membership, packs, and leaders:
    • 223,003 Tiger Cubs (first grade)
    • 747,429 Cub Scouts (second and third grades)
    • 612,734 Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth grades)
    • 1,583,166 total Cub Scouts
    • 45,962 Cub Scout packs
    • 424,944 Cub Scout leaders

Boy Scouts

  • Motto: Be Prepared
  • Slogan: Do a Good Turn Daily
  • For boys who are 11 through 17 years of age, or have earned the Cub Scouting Arrow of Light award and are at least 10 years old, or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 years old
  • Ninety-five percent of all Boy Scouts participated in Cub Scouting at some time.
  • 2011 membership, troops, and leaders:
    • 848,291 Boy Scouts
    • 39,392 Boy Scout troops
    • 496,398 Boy Scout leaders

Varsity Scouting

  • For young men 14 through 17 years of age
  • Built on five program fields of emphasis:
    • Advancement
    • High adventure
    • Personal development
    • Service
    • Special programs and events
  • 2011 membership, teams, and leaders:
    • 61,285 Varsity Scouts
    • 8,461 Varsity Scout teams
    • 22,924 Varsity Scout leaders

Venturing

  • For young men and women 14 years of age, or 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade through 20 years of age
  • 2011 membership was 231,127 Venturers:
    • 31.2 percent of membership was female.
    • 17,853 Venturing crews
    • 58,566 Venturing leaders

Order of the Arrow -Scouting’s National Honor Society

  • The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is to recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives and promote camping and responsible outdoor adventure, leadership development, and cheerful service to others.
  • Order of the Arrow includes more than 170,000 youth and adult members in nearly 300 local councils through the United States and its territories.