Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is an organization for boys between the ages of 7 and 18, and for both young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21, based in the United States of America, with some presence in other countries. BSA is part of the global Scouting movement and national member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. More than 110 million boys have passed through the organization.

Activities

Scout activities are conducted at the discretion of the troop, but all troops' programs have some similarities.

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Troops typically hold meetings once a week, though some do not meet during the summer. The activities conducted at troop meetings vary widely, from Scout skills training to camping trip planning to games. Meetings for Venturing crews and Sea Scout ships vary from every week to once a month, while Cub Scout packs have weekly den meetings, culminating in a monthly pack meeting.

Related Topics:
Camping - Game

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Patrol meetings independent of troop meetings may be held to conduct troop business, such as the creation of a patrol flag. Most patrols do not hold regular meetings independent of troop meetings, but some go so far as to organize their own outings. Patrol activities are planned by the patrol leader (see "Unit organization").

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Troops, crews, and ships also typically hold excursions once a month or more. These are typically camping trips. These campouts are an important place for Scouts to work on skills and rank advancement, and also to entertain themselves. Some troops and crews also hold regular backpacking trips. Other excursions are more unusual, involving, for example, rafting, climbing or rappelling. Ships usually can participate in daysailing or overnight sailing trips.

Related Topics:
Camping - Backpacking - Rafting - Climbing - Rappelling

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Most councils own and operate one or more permanent camps. These camps host a variety of activities throughout the year, but are most heavily used during the summer. Troops stay at these camps for a week at a time. Summer camps are important places for the earning of merit badges, particularly those that require special facilities, such as archery or canoeing. Purely recreational activities are also available, and most camps offer day-long overnight side trips. Troops may choose to attend the summer camp operated by their own council, or one in a more distant location.

Related Topics:
Archery - Canoeing

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It is common for several troops within a district or council to gather at least once a year at a special weekend campout called a camporee. A camporee is a competition, with events such as knot tying, flagpole raising and flag ceremony, and orienteering. Troops place varying amounts of emphasis on preparing for camporees, and those that win the highest awards usually do so by making camporee their first priority.

Related Topics:
Camporee - Knot - Flagpole - Flag - Orienteering

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Some councils hold "jamborees", which are similar to camporees, but occur less often and draw troops from a broader area. Every four years (except between 2005 and 2010 to co-incide with the centennial of BSA) the National Council holds its National Scout Jamboree. These are usually held at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia and draw more than 30,000 Scouts from across the United States.

Related Topics:
National Scout Jamboree - Fort A.P. Hill

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The national Scout organization also operates a number of high-adventure bases, including Philmont Scout Ranch, the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, and Northern Tier High Adventure Bases. Troops, Crews, and Ships may choose to visit high-adventure bases instead of or in addition to the standard summer camp.

Related Topics:
Philmont Scout Ranch - Florida National High Adventure Sea Base - Northern Tier High Adventure Bases

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