Mission

It is the mission of the Northern Lights Council, Boy Scouts of America, to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. 

Scout Oath

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.

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Vision Statement

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. In the future, Scouting will continue to:

• Offer young people responsible fun and adventure;
• Instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law;
• Train young people in citizenship, service and leadership;
• Serve America's communities and families with its quality, values-based program.

Benefits of Scouting?

• Scouting gives children more confidence, responsibility, and a broader set of friends.
• Scouting can help develop a child’s social skills and encourage self-sufficiency and gives them access to activities and opportunities that may have been otherwise unavailable.
• Scout Law – A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent
• Center for Youth Ethics at the Josephson Institute-Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship)
• While other activities and youth organizations teach basic skills and promote teamwork, Scouting goes beyond that and encourages youth to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community.

Why do parents want kids to join Scouting?

• Try new things
• Scouts do stuff. They play with purpose.
• Opportunity to provide service to others
• Build self-confidence
• Reinforce ethical standards

Why do kids want to join Scouting?

• Outdoor Activities-camping, hiking, archery, bb guns
• Try new things-build robots, rockets, magic tricks, wood projects, knot tying
• Make friends – Meeting and becoming friends with kids they might not otherwise spend time with. Multiple ages work together.

Where do adults fit into the program?

• They are the backbone of the program
• Adult role models in Scouting provide guidance and leadership
• Every adult volunteer has something valuable to offer
• The advantages of Scouting are not limited to youth. Adults develop leadership which helps them to be a better citizen, parent, manager, employee, to be more patient and tolerant of others.