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The Boy Scouts of America ('''BSA''') is the largest Youth Organization in the United States, it was founded in 1910 as part of the Scout Movement . It is believed that over one hundred million Americans have been members. As of December 2005 it had a registered membership of 2,938,698 youths with 1,146,130 adult leaders organised into 122,582 units.1 Individual units of the BSA rely largely on volunteers although at higher commercial levels of administration professionals are employed. The BSA arose amidst concerns of the Progressive Movement In The United States from people who sought to promote the Social Welfare of young men. The BSA adheres to the Scout Method to teach typical scouting values such as Self-esteem , Citizenship and Outdoors manship through a variety of activities such as Camping , Aquatics and Hiking .23 The BSA recognizes the achievements of Scouts through advancements in rank and special awards. It includes several program divisions, targeted at boys ages seven through seventeen and young men and women ages fourteen through twenty-one. The BSA operates locally, through volunteer-led units generally known as troops, packs and crews. The BSA has received criticism for its membership policies which prohibit female participation in certain parts of the program as well as atheists, agnostics and homosexuals. ORIGINS See Also: History of the Boy Scouts of America The Progressive Movement in the United States was at its height during the early twentieth century. With the migration of families from rural to urban centers, there were concerns among some people that young men were no longer learning patriotism and individualism. The YMCA was an early promoter of Social Welfare and other reforms involving young men. Robert Baden-Powell started Scouting in 1907 in Great Britain and the Movement began to grow overseas.4 In 1909, Chicago publisher W. D. Boyce was visiting London, England where he learned of the Scouting movement.5 Upon his return to the US, Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on February 8 , 1910 .6 The YMCA became interested in the nascent BSA program and provided support. The first managing secretary was John M. Alexander, succeeded by Edgar M. Robinson , both from the YMCA. James E. West took over as managing secretary and later as Chief Scout Executive , beginning a long relationship with the BSA. IDEALS The stated objectives of the BSA are referred to as "Aims of Scouting": character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Each of the programs of the BSA pursues these aims through methods that are designed to be appropriate for the age and maturity of the participants.7 One of these methods is the establishment of ideals. These are statements of goals against which each youth can measure and improve himself. For Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts, these ideals are reflected in the Scout Oath , Law , Motto and Slogan. There are similar sets of ideals for Cub Scouts and Venturers. |
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