Location

251 Commerce Circle

Phone

(916) 929-1417

Web

http://www.gec-bsa.org/

Scout Executive

James Martin

Established

February 8, 1910 in Sacramento

Council

Golden Empire Council, Sacramento/surrounding areas

History

In 1907, British General Robert Baden-Powell founded the Scouting movement in England. Several small local Scouting programs for boys started independently in the U.S., soon after, many of these programs merged with the BSA.

In 1909, when W. D. Boyce visited London, he encountered a boy when he was lost on a foggy street. This unknown boy came to his aid and guided him to his destination. This boy who was a scout in England, became known as the unknown scout. After the boy guided him to his destination Boyce offered him a tip for his services, the boy then refused Boyce's tip, explaining that he was a Boy Scout and was merely doing his daily good turn. Soon thereafter, Boyce met with General Baden-Powell, who was Chief Scout at the time. After Boyce's return to the U.S., Boyce then founded the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910. Ever since then Boy Scouts of America has grown exponentially.

Mission Statement

The Boy Scouts of America mission is one that instills values in young people and prepares them to make ethical choices during their lifetimes, to take leadership roles as adults, and to reach their full potential. The values that Boy Scouts teach are based on character, citizenship, personal fitness which can be found in the Scout Oath and Law. Boy Scouts accomplished their mission in partnership with chartered organizations and chosen, well-trained leaders, as they:

• Offer young people responsible fun and adventure.
• Instill in young people life values and help them develop 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 quality values.

Vision Statement

The Boy Scout vision is to be recognized within the communities that they serve in, as the premiere youth organization, carrying out the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scouts will make first-class programs available to all youth within the Central Valley communities of Northern California. Program results will have dramatic, positive effects on the youth, leaders, and families we serve, building strong communities with caring citizens.

The vision for the Golden Empire Council is to accomplish the mission of the BSA in such an exemplary manner as to be recognized by our public as the premier youth organization in the communities we serve and by other councils and the National Council as second to none in all our endeavors. The Golden Empire Council is committed to the following functions in fulfilling its chartered responsibilities:

• To extend the program to as many youth as possible.
• To ensure the program has quality trained leaders.
• To ensure the program is delivered in a safe environment.
• To build relationships with community institutions.
• To attain goals and objectives in outreach and quality.
• To involve as many volunteers as possible for the total program.
• To maintain and operate camps.
• To ensure a quality program through balanced activities.
• To finance the operation of the council and maintain accurate financial records.
• To employ an approved professional staff to give direction to the program.
• To ensure that all National Council policies and regulations are carried out.

The Scout Oath

The Scout Oath and Law are two very important aspects of Boy Scouts. For each rank progression they must live by these two sayings as well as memorize them. The 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.

The Scout Law

A Scout is:

Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,

Friendly, Courteous, Kind,

Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty,

Brave, Clean, Reverent

How To get Involved

There are several ways that everyone can get involved with Boy Scouts. Boy Scouts can be split up into four different categories. Each category has a specific purpose for what Boy Scouts tries to accomplish through their mission statement and vision.

The first category is "Cub Scouts". Cub scouts is for ages ranging from 7-10 years old or first through 5th grade. Cub scouts is basically all about fun. You will be able to build a pinewood derby car, camp, hike and earn awards for doing these things. As a cub scout you will be part of a den and pack. The pack is divided up into smaller dens with about eight boys. Usually everyone in the den is the same age and goes to the same school. The pack then belongs to a community organization such as a church, school or other organization. This group has the responsibility of making sure the pack has good adult leaders, a place to meet and exciting things to do.

Cub Scouts

Cub Scout rank advancement: Cub scouts has a rank structure much like Boy Scouts. As a cub Scout the rank of bobcat must be earned first and then Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light. To be come a Bobcat you must:

• Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Cub Scout Promise, and the Law of the Pack and tell what they mean
• Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean
• Show that you understand and believe that it is important to be honest and trustworthy

For the rank of Tiger Cubs one must also complete everything for the rank as Bobcat but also must do the following: Earns an orange bead (for den activities), a white bead (for family activities), or a black bead (for "Go See Its") and each Tiger Cub needs five beads of each to receive the badge.

The Wolf rank is for boys who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass 12 achievements and then he can work on a plethora of other achievements.

The Bear rank is for boys who have finished second grade (or are 9 years old). There are 24 Bear achievements in four groups. A boy must complete 12 of the achievements to be a Bear Cub Scout.

Webelos are boys who have completed third grade. For the rank of Webelo, they must get 20 Webelo activity badges in the following categories:

• Physical Skills
• Community
• Outdoor Activity
• Mental Skills
• Technology

As the last achievement a Cub Scout can get is the Arrow of Light which prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Webelos Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light Award have also completed all requirements for the Boy Scout badge.

After Cub Scouts there is Boy Scouts.

Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts are for the ages of 11-17 years old. The ranks in Boy Scouts are Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life and Eagle Scout. Each rank has several different requirements. Each progression of rank requires a certain amount of merit badges and service projects. Eagle Scout is the most distinguished award in Boy Scouts and requires a lot of work.

Venturers

Venturers is for Co-ed 14-20 year olds that would wish to continue to do Scouting past Boy Scouts. Boy Scouts of America defines Venturing as "a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 years of age OR 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade and under 21 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."

Volunteers

The last part in how you can get involved is by being Adults. Just Volunteer!!! Follow the link to learn more about volunteering for Boy Scouts. Volunteer

Work Cited

Golden Empire Council, BSA. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. <http://www.gec-bsa.org>.

Scouting. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. <http://www.scouting.org/>.

See also other local services & organizations.