Scouting in America has been around for over 100 years. It offers a chance at adventure, fellowship, leadership, and most of all, FUN. All boys interested in joining scouting who are between the ages of 11 and 17 can join. Here are the requirements….
- Be a boy who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years, but is not yet 18 years old.
- Complete a Boy Scout Application and Health History signed by your parent or guardian.
- Find a Scout troop near your home.
- Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Demonstrate the Scout Sign, Salute, and Handshake.
- Demonstrate tying the square knot.
- Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath or Promise, Law, Motto, and Slogan, and the Outdoor Code.
- Describe the Scout Badge.
- With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. (Inside front cover of Scout Handbook)
- Turn in your Boy Scout application and health history form signed by your parent or guardian, and then participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
Scout Sign
The Scout sign shows you are a Scout. Give it each time you recite the Scout Oath and Law. When a scout or scouter raises the Scout sign all Scouts should too and give their silent attention to the person who put his sign up. To give the Scout sign, cover the nail of the little finger of your right hand with your right thumb, then raise your right arm bent in a 90-degree angle, and hold the three middle fingers of your hand upward. Those fingers stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath (Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self) your thumb and little finger touch to represent the bond that unites Scouts throughout the world.
Scout Salute
The Scout salute shows respect. Use it to salute the flag of the United States of America. You may also salute a Scout leader or another Scout. Give the Scout salute by forming the Scout sign with your right hand and then bringing that hand upward until your forefinger touches the brim of your hat or the arch of your eyebrow. The palm of your hand should not show.
Scout Handshake
The Scout handshake is made with the hand nearest the heart and is offered as a token of friendship. Extend your left hand to another Scout and firmly grasp his left hand. The fingers do not interlock.
Tying a Square Knot
The square knot is also known as a joining knot because it can join together two ropes and because it is the first knot scouts learn when they join the BSA. It has many uses-from securing bundles, packages, and the sails of ships to tying the end of bandages. To tie a square knot, hold one rope end in each hand. Pass the right end over and under the rope in your left hand and pull it snug. Next, pass the rope now in your left hand over and under the one now in your right, and pull it snug. Remember, right over left, left over right.
Scout Oath or Promise
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
And to obey the Scout law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
The Meaning of the Scout Oath
On my honor. . .
By giving your word, you are promising to be guided by the ideals of the Scout Oath.
. . . I will do my best. . .
Try hard to live up to the points of the Scout Oath. Measure your achievements against your own high standards and don’t be influenced by peer pressure or what other people do.
. . . To do my duty to God. . .
Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings every day and by respecting and defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.
. . . and my country. . .
Help keep the United States a strong and fair nation by learning about our system of government and your responsibilities as a citizen. America is made up of countless families and communities. When you work to improve your community and your home, you are serving your country.
. . . and to obey the Scout Law. . .
The twelve points of the Scout Law are guidelines that can lead you toward wise choices. When you obey the Scout Law, other people will respect you for the way you live, and you will respect yourself.
. . . To help other people at all time; . . .
There are many people who need you. Your cheerful smile and helping hand will ease the burden of many who need assistance. By helping out whenever possible, you are doing your part to make this a better world.
. . . To keep myself physically strong. . .
Take care of your body so that it will serve you well for an entire lifetime. That means eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly to build strength and endurance. It also means avoiding harmful drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and anything else that can harm your health.
. . . mentally awake. . .
Develop your mind both in the classroom and outside of school. Be curious about everything around you, and work to make the most of your abilities. With an inquiring attitude and the willingness to ask questions, you can learn much about the exciting world around you and your role in it.
. . . and morally straight. . .
To be a person of strong character, your relationships with others should be honest and open. You should respect and defend the rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and remain faithful in your religious beliefs. The values you practice as a Scout will help you shape a life of virtue and self-reliance.
The Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
The Scout Law in the foundation of Scouting. It is expressed in twelve simple points, but the standards they set for you are high. Use the Scout Law to guide your actions when you are alone and as a member of your family, community, and nation. The Scout Law will show you how to live as a boy and a man.
A Scout is trustworthy. A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.
A Scout is loyal. A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.
A Scout is helpful. A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.
A Scout is friendly. A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.
A Scout is courteous. A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
A Scout is kind. A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he would like to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.
A Scout is obedient. A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.
A Scout is cheerful. A scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
A Scout is thrifty. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
A Scout is brave. A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.
A Scout is clean. A Scout keeps his body and mind fit. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.
A Scout is reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the belief of others.
Scout Motto
Be Prepared
Scout Slogan
Do a Good Turn Daily.
Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best to
Be clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation-minded.
After you have completed these requirements, you are officially a boy scout. Congratulations! You will be presented with the badge of the Scout rank. It will look like this:
If you choose to be a part of Troop 274, then here are some attachments to help in your first year of Scouting in the troop.