Boy Scouts Of America

Programs: Traditional scouting - see schedule otraditional scouting - in the bsa, scouting is considered to be one movement with three main programs: cub scouting is the largest of the three programs, available to boys from first to fifth grade or 7 to 11 1/2 years. The program is designed to pursue the aims of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Cub scouting is divided into age-based levels of tiger cubs, wolf cubs, bear cubs, and webelos scouts. Boy scouting is the flagship program of the bsa for boys ages 10 to 18. It uses outdoor activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking to achieve the aims of character, citizenship, and personal fitness training. Varsity scouting is a sub-division of boy scouting available to boys ages 14 to 18; it adds a program of high adventure and sporting activities. The order of the arrow is the boy scouting national honor society for experienced campers, based on native american traditions and is dedicated to the ideal of cheerful service and brotherhood. Venturing is a program for young men and women 14 (and who have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. The sam houston area council served 47,180 registered youth in the traditional scouting programs. It is estimated that 36% of these youth are considered "at risk. " the sam houston area council is committed to ensuring that all young people have an opportunity to join scouting, regardless of the their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. Our scoutreach initiative gives special leadership and emphasis to economically challenged youth via non-traditional methods. Through caring, well-trained, paid leadership and with neighborhood partners who will provide a safe, regular meeting place, scoutreach delivers a scouting program to our most needy youth in houston's inner-city neighborhoods and encourages parental involvement. The sam houston area council also accomplished the following in its traditional scouting programs during 2014:* 47,180 total youth served* 19,160 registered adult volunteer leaders* 1,712 cub scout packs, boy scout troops, and venturing crews* 39,184 campers at the council's five camps for a total of 99,687 days camped* 22,344 cub scout ranks earned* 8,712 boy scout ranks earned* 1,017 boy scouts attained rank of eagle scout* 465,000 estimated community service hours provided* achieved gold level status in the bsa national journey to excellence program

learning for life/exploring programs - see schedule olearning for life/exploring programs - learning for life offers seven programs designed to support schools and community-based organizations in their efforts to prepare youth to successfully handle the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance their self-confidence, motiviation, and self-esteem. The seven programs focus on character development and career education. Learning for life programs help youth develop social and life skills, assist in character and career development, and help youth formulate positive personal values. It prepares youth to make ethical decisions that will help them achieve their full potential. Learning for life is designed to meet the growing demand for character education programs in schools. The program helps our youth develop social and life skills and helps them formulate positive personal values. It prepares them to make ethical decisions that will help them achieve their full potential. Learning for life also enhances teacher capacity and increases youth learning with a fun and relevant curriculum. Youth build a greater understanding of real world situations and how to negotiate them. Champions is a program of learning for life for youth with special needs. There were 8,846 youths participating in 52 curriculum/school-based learning for life programs at december 31, 2014. Our learning for life school-based and champions programs have partnered with the following schools in and around houston, tx:houston isd 75% of the students are classified as economically disadvantagedspring isd 74% of the students are classified as economically disadvantagedaldine isd 83% of the students are classified as economically disadvantagedhumble isd - 35% of the students are classified as economically disadvantagedexploring is a worksite-based program. It is part of learning for life's career education program also for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old. Exploring's purpose is to provide experiences that help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Explorers are ready to investigate the meaning of interdependence in their personal relationships and communities. Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Local community organizations initiate a specific explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop. Exploring programs are based on five areas of emphasis: career opportunities, life skills, citizenship, character education, and leadership experience. In 2014, the sam houston area council had 1,462 youth in 63 exploring posts participating in the exploring program.