What Is Scouting?

Scouts BSA is the traditional Scouting experience where boys and girls can have their share of adventure in the great outdoors. Develop a love of service by volunteering in your community, boost your leadership skills through fun and exciting challenges, and create memories of a lifetime with no prior Scouting experience required! 

Education for Life

• Scouting complements the school and the family, filling needs not met by either. 

• Scouting develops self-knowledge and the need to explore, discover, and want to know. 

• Scouts discover the world beyond the classroom, tapping the skills of others to learn and become well-rounded people.

Fun with a Purpose

• Through recreation, Scouting achieves its purpose of helping young people develop physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. 

• Scouting is all about building confidence and self-esteem, learning important life skills and leadership skills, team building, outdoor adventure, education, and fun! 

• Scouts learn how to make good choices and to take responsibility for their actions so that they are prepared for their adult life as independent persons.

A Worldwide Movement

• There are Scout associations and branches in more than 216 countries and territories. Scouting has never stopped growing since its founding in 1907. 

• Today there are more than 25 million Scouts. Over 300 million people have been members in the more than 90 years since Scouting was founded. 

• While Scouting is adapted to local needs and culture, its Purpose, Principles, and Method are the same worldwide.

Open to All

Scouting is open to all without distinction of origin, race, class, or creed, provided that the person voluntarily adheres to Scouting's Principles.

A Code of Living

Scouting's Principles describe a simple code of living to which all Scouts make a personal commitment through the Scout Promise and Law. Scouting helps Scouts learn how to carry out their commitment in everyday life. This approach to life has three dimensions:

• A Spiritual Dimension — A commitment to seek the spiritual value of life beyond the material world.

• A Social Dimension — Participating in the development of society, and respecting the dignity of others and the integrity of the natural world. Promoting local, national, and international peace, understanding, and cooperation.

• A Personal Dimension — Developing a sense of personal responsibility and stimulating the desire for responsible self-expression.