Why Choose Boy Scouting?

 

We live in a world of choices and with so many activities vying for a young man’s free time, why should Boy Scouting be a priority?  Simply stated, in Scouts boys learn skills that will last a lifetime.  Scouting offers an exceptional program of fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities, and an opportunity to explore career, hobby and special interests.  The program is based on three specific objectives: character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.  These objectives will benefit a young man long after he has “graduated” from Scouting.  Adults who were Boy Scouts almost universally praise the experiences, skills, and knowledge they gained through the Scouting program.  Joining Scouts is not simply joining another activity; it’s getting a jump start in learning life’s skills.

 

Lord Baden Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, referred to it as “fun with a purpose”.  Through “fun” activities, boys develop a wide range of skills, learn teamwork, and are afforded many leadership opportunities.   Merit badges open new areas to a Scout’s interest and there are many cases of an adult’s life profession being traced back to an introduction that came through the Scouting program.  The highest Scout rank, Eagle Scout, is universally recognized as a sign of high achievement and is a mark of excellence which will open doors of opportunity throughout a Scout’s life.

 

The aims and methods of the Scouting program can be summarized in eight points:

 

Ideals – The ideals of the program are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan.  The goals are high and we emphasize them as the standard for our Scouts

 

Patrols – The fundamental building block is the “patrol” – a group of 6-10 Scouts that function as a unit within the troop.  The patrol method allows Scouts to work together in small groups and affords them a great opportunity to practice leadership and teamwork.

 

Outdoor Programs – A major component of Boy Scouting is the outdoor program.  Boys learn to work together and share responsibilities while gaining knowledge about and an appreciation for the great outdoors.

 

Advancement – Boy Scouting provides a series of ranks that allow a boy to progress at his own pace as he meets the challenges of the advancement requirements.  The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout to develop important skills while growing in self-reliance.

 

Association with Adults – Boys learn a great deal by watching adults.  Scout leaders can be positive role models and frequent interaction with adults helps prepare boys for the future.

 

Personal Growth – As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth.  The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting.  Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. 

 

Leadership Development – The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills.   Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in leadership opportunities.  Scouts learn leadership skills by putting them into practice as youth
leaders of the troop.

 

Uniform – The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as one willing to make the commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting.  The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of Scouting who believe in the same ideals. 

 

Why Choose Troop 13?

 

Troop 13 is one of over 50,000 Boy Scout troops in the US and we realize that, when selecting a troop, there are many to choose from.  Each has a bit of a different “chemistry” with emphasis on different activities and approaches to the program.  It is important for a Scout to feel comfortable with his troop and program and we believe that Troop 13 excels in that area.  We embrace the aims and methods of Scouting while carrying out a fun and interesting program that motivates our Scouts to advance through the program while enjoying a wide range of activities and gaining new skills and experiences along the way.

 

Size:  Troop 13 is a larger troop with 31 registered Scouts.  Troop 13 consists of four patrols at present:  Alpha Wolf Squadron, Key-Mo-Sabe, Venture and New Scout Patrol.

 

Scout Leadership:  We are firmly committed to the concept of Scouts leading Scouts.  One of the fundamental underpinnings of the Scouting program is the concept that a troop is “run by the Scouts” (with guidance).  We emphasize leadership training at all levels and encourage our Scouts to learn and work together. 

 

Adult (Scouter) Leadership:  We have committed and trained adult leadership.  We always need more adult participation and are happy to share what we have learned.  It takes a team to run a solid program.

 

Active outdoor program:  Troop 13 schedules an outdoor activity every month.  We invite you to scan our website http://www.scoutlander.com/publicsite/unithome.aspx?UID=17674 for an overview of the Troop’s upcoming activities.  Since Troop 13 is a Scout led Troop, the youth leadership decides on the activities to be included in the program (with guidance).

 

Summer Camp:  Each summer we attend summer camp at Camp Barton on Cayuga Lake – this is a “traditional” camp, open to all Scouts.  Scouts have also expressed an interest in attending summer camp at other locations in the future to experience something new.

 

Fun!  Finally, we never forget that Scouting is “fun with a purpose”.  We strive to keep our activities interesting and fun, led by the principles that make Boy Scouting one of the finest programs available to youth today. 

 

Please consider Troop 13 as your troop of choice.  For more information please visit our website (http://www.scoutlander.com/publicsite/unithome.aspx?UID=17674), or contact our Scoutmaster, Bill Wright at (607) 387-9614, email: tkaplan2@twcny.rr.com .