Ideals
The Varsity Scout ideals are spelled out in the Scout Law, the Scout Oath, the Scout Motto, the Scout Slogan and the Varsity Scout Pledge. The Varsity Scout learns to use these ideals as a measure of personal growth and continually tries to improve.
Varsity Scouting has five fields of emphasis. A well-planned Varsity Scout program includes elements from all of the fields of emphasis:
Advancement Varsity Scouts use the same advancement program as Boy Scouts. They can also receive the recognitions offered through such programs as the Fifty-Miler Award; Mile Swim, BSA; etc.
High Adventure. The basic framework for Varsity Scout activities revolves around high adventure and sports. Resource materials are available for 27 program features (listed above). The intent of this emphasis is to encourage a coherently planned set of activities that lead to occasional "ultimate adventures" or sports seasons. Following the original model, currently teams are encouraged to plan a set of activities quarterly that culminate in some type of big event.
Personal Development. "Varsity Scouting promotes growth through spirituality, leadership abilities, citizenship, social and cultural attributes, and physical fitness." The personal development side of Varsity encourages boys to focus on character development within the framework of their personal and religious beliefs. A particular focus on leadership skills is evident in many teams.
Service is an essential element of all Scouting, as emphasized in the Boy Scout slogan: "Do a good turn daily." An element of service should be present in all Varsity Scout activities. For example, a sports unit could include a clinic for a nearby Cub Scout pack. It is important that the boys be the ones that plan, manage, and conduct the service activities.
Special Programs and Events. As part of their programs, Varsity Scouts are encouraged to incorporate special programs and events on a regular basis. These could include district, council, regional, and national events as well as joint activities with neighboring teams or other groups, including activities involving girls of similar age.
Varsity Scouting shares the Aims and Methods of the Boy Scout program.
Read more about this topic: Varsity Scouting (Boy Scouts Of America)
Famous quotes containing the word ideals:
“There is something to be said for government by a great aristocracy which has furnished leaders to the nation in peace and war for generations; even a Democrat like myself must admit this. But there is absolutely nothing to be said for government by a plutocracy, for government by men very powerful in certain lines and gifted with the “money touch,” but with ideals which in their essence are merely those of so many glorified pawnbrokers.”
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)
“You can tell the ideals of a nation by its advertisements.”
—Norman Douglas (1868–1952)
“The measure discriminates definitely against products which make up what has been universally considered a program of safe farming. The bill upholds as ideals of American farming the men who grow cotton, corn, rice, swine, tobacco, or wheat and nothing else. These are to be given special favors at the expense of the farmer who has toiled for years to build up a constructive farming enterprise to include a variety of crops and livestock.”
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)