The BSA Mission

Purpose of the BSA

The purpose of this corporation shall be to promote, through organization, and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods which are now in common use by Boy Scouts.

—Federal Charter, sec. 3.

One of the goals of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide, through chartered organizations, a program for boys, young men, and young women designed to encourage them to be faithful in their religious duties, build desirable qualities of character, train and involve them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develop in them personal fitness.

Special emphasis will be placed in assisting the home, religious groups, and schools in achieving success in the development of abiding values in the lives of young people.

All programs will be directed toward helping to develop the full potential of each member.

The Council’s Purpose

The purpose of the council is to guide and support its districts for the achievement of the movement’s purpose. (A successful district meets Quality District requirements.) The end result of effective district support is continued growth in membership, with those members receiving a quality program.

The Function of the Districts

All districts are responsible for carrying out functions in four areas:

Membership

Finance

Program

Camp promotion

Training

Activities and civic service

Advancement and recognition

Unit service (commissioner service)

The order in which the functions are listed is not meant to suggest the order of their importance, but the natural interrelationship and flow of the functions. The movement cannot achieve its purpose without first organizing units and enrolling members. The district cannot support its units without the funds to do it. Unit programs are supported by the district through its program functions and unit service. All four functions are equally important and necessary. If one suffers from lack of attention, all the work of the district suffers.

The functions of the district include

Extending opportunities for youth to join a pack, troop, team, or crew

Helping existing units provide a quality program for their youth

Marshaling the resources of the territory in terms of volunteers and money

Its specific duties are selling the use of Scouting and providing the essential services. The district committee sells the use of the program to community organizations and helps to organize new units. It provides those things essential to successful Scouting that the chartered organization cannot easily provide, including

Guidance in the selection of unit leadership

Training for unit personnel in the techniques of good program

Interunit activities that stimulate good unit program through participation and competition

Promotion of the BSA camping and outdoor program

Promotion of the BSA advancement program by providing merit badge counselors and coaching unit committees on advancement procedures

Giving guidance to units through effective commissioner service

The district serves as a vehicle by which Scouting services and programs are carried to the chartered organization and units. It serves as a sounding board for chartered organization and unit needs and thus enables the consideration of those needs as the council program is planned. It also participates in determining the council budget and fund-raising for the financing of its program.