Why Scouting?

For more than 100 years, Scouting programs have instilled in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Today, these values are just as relevant in helping youth grow to their full potential as they were in 1910. Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives. 

Scouting BSA provides youth with programs and activities that allow them to

• Try new things.
• Provide service to others.
• Build self-confidence.
• Reinforce ethical standards.

Scouting encourages youth to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community. Scouting also provides youth with a sense that they are important as individuals. 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, Scouts can be counted on to make the right choices.

A groundbreaking study conducted by Tufts University proved that Scouting builds character. The study determined the following:

• Scouts were significantly more cheerful, helpful, kind, obedient, trustworthy and hopeful about their future than non-Scouts.

• Scouts were more likely than non-Scouts to embrace positive social values. Ask Scouts what’s most important, and they were more likely to respond with answers such as “helping others” or “doing the right thing.” Ask non-Scouts the same thing, and they were more likely to say “being smart,” “being the best” or “playing sports.”

• Scouts who attended meetings regularly reported higher character attributes than those who attended infrequently.

In another study conducted by Baylor University, Merit Beyond the Badges, Eagle Scouts were found to be likely than those who have never been in Scouting to:

• Have higher levels of planning and preparation skills, be goal-oriented, and network with others

• Be in a leadership position at their place of employment or local community

• Report having closer relationships with family and friends

• Volunteer for religious and nonreligious organizations

• Donate money to charitable groups

• Work with others to improve their neighborhoods

Eagle Scouts value perseverance, discipline, motivation, leadership, accountability, and achievement. And those lead to tangible benefits such as:

• College admissions officers recognize the award and consider it in their decisions. 

• Eagle Scouts are eligible for many scholarships. Unigo, a network for future college students, offers a list of Eagle Scout-only scholarships.

• Every branch of the U.S. Military allows Eagle Scouts to enter at a higher rank and pay grade than people who aren't Eagle Scouts.

• Many employment recruiters look for "Eagle Scout" on a resume. Employers are looking for the traits that Eagle Scouts possess. 

Furthermore, Scouting helps close "soft-skills gaps." According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, today’s hiring managers value “soft skills” far greater than technical skills or computer skills. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation writes that these soft skills, including communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and time management, are essential in any career — regardless of the field. Scouts BSA offers the kind of immersive experiences to cultivate these skills.

Overall, Scouting provides one of the most valuable and positive leadership programs for today's youth. And did we mention it's a lot of fun? To learn more, visit www.scouting.org or contact us at Troop 19 today.

Want to learn more? Check out "Scouting Makes People Better" as published in the Dallas News.