Mission and Vision

The Mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and 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

  • Reverent

The Patrol Method

​"The patrol system is not one method in which Scouting for boys can be carried on. It is the only method." —Lord Baden-Powell, Scouting's founder


The Patrol

The patrol is a group of Scouts who belong to a troop and who are probably similar in age, development, and interests. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in a small group outside the larger troop context, working together as a team and sharing the responsibility of making their patrol a success. A patrol takes pride in its identity, and the members strive to make their patrol the best it can be. Patrols will sometimes join with other patrols to learn skills and complete advancement requirements. At other times they will compete against those same patrols in Scout skills and athletic competitions.

The members of each patrol elect one of their own to serve as patrol leader. The troop determines the requirements for patrol leaders, such as rank and age. To give more youths the opportunity to lead, many troops elect patrol leaders twice a year. Some may have elections more often.

Patrol size depends upon a troop's enrollment and the needs of its members, though an ideal patrol size is eight Scouts. Patrols with fewer than eight Scouts should try to recruit new members to get their patrol size up to the ideal number.


Patrol Diversity

Diversity within scouting starts with inclusiveness at the patrol level:

  • Successful patrols function as a team

  • Successful patrols put differences to work

  • Members of the patrol are responsible for the whole group

  • Inclusiveness is powerful

The response to diversity leads Scouts to:

  • Seek the best in others

  • Find traits they admire and appreciate

  • Abide by the Scout Law

  • Value others and serve as an example of the values we cherish.

Powerful Concepts, Simple Behaviors

  • By simply including all team members, patrols can leverage the power of diversity

  • These powerful concepts help the patrol and troop grow

Highlighting the importance of these ideals, the Boy Scouts of America has a Chief Diversity Officer.