Mission: Family “Scouting and its role in your family.”

1. Mission: Family“Scouting and its role in your family.”

2. Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to learn more about “Mission: Family” and the benefits of Scouting for your new Scout. The Boy Scouts of America is committed to providing the finest program for youth and their families. This short, 20 slide PowerPoint presentation will help you recognize the longterm benefits of Scouting. We will demonstrate to you that Scouting is worth your investment of time and your Scouts’ continued participation. With your help, we can make a positive difference in their lives and in the lives of your entire family! 2 of 20

3. The starting point for a successful life Picture your son in 20 years . . . He has reached physical maturity, has entered the workplace and is beginning to start his own family legacy. But what kind of a man has he become? Does he have character, strong ethical values, and conviction of principles? Is he a good citizen, will he make a good father? Is he a leader with positive ideas and clear decision making skills whom others will follow? Let’s look at how Scouting has helped him on the way to success as he begins his adult life. 3 of 20

4. Enhancing core values Perhaps your family shares these principles from your local council’s mission statement: • Strong values and character • Positive self-worth and usefulness • Caring and nurturing relationships with parents, peers, and other adults • A desire to learn • Productive/creative use of time • Social adeptness 4 of 20

5. The Scouting difference Men who were Scouts agree that Scouting has had a positive influence on their lives. Scouting has influenced their character development, self-confidence, interpersonal skills, and has provided benefits to their entire family. Scouting alumni agree that the program has: • improved their family life , • had a positive effect on their school life in later years, • enhanced their career development and advancement as an adult. 5 of 20

6. Take a reality check • Soon, you will meet other Scouting families as they share their experiences in the program. These families agree that, in addition to instilling positive values in their Scouts, Scouting has provided them with a safe environment in which to learn and grow. • Scouting provides for the safety of its youth members, adult leaders, and families through: • Outstanding youth education and protection at all levels of the program, creating a safe haven for every youth • Background checks and leadership approval from local chartered organizations to ensure quality leadership 6 of 20

7. Scouting and the family Through quality training events and life-changing outdoor experiences, Scouting has a positive influence on adult volunteers as well as your boy! Harris Interactive has studied the effects Scouting has on adults. Adult volunteers stated that through their involvement in Scouting they became better parents, more patience and tolerance of others, and better employees in the workplace. Scouting provides families the opportunity to grow together. Siblings are often the additional beneficiaries of the Scouting success story! 7 of 20

8. Result: Closer family ties "Scouting is a wonderful program for helping our youth become more socially, morally and ethically self- reliant.  The privilege of shaping and sharing in that with our son and his fellow Scouts, as adult leaders, will always be one of our most treasured experiences as a family."  - Rod, Joyce and Charlie Goldhahn Troop 1173 in Green Bay • 80 percent of Americans strongly agree that having close family relationships is a key to happiness. • 96 percent of Americans strongly agree that children learn their values mostly from their parents. • 88 percent of men who were Scouts for five or more years agree that Scouting and good family life are natural partners. • 56 percent of youth who have been in Scouting for five or more years say that their parent or guardian’s opinion is very important when choosing a club or activity, compared with only 36 percent of youth who were never a Scout. • 73 percent of men who were Scouts for five or more years say that Scouting has a positive effect on family life in later years. 8 of 20

9. Almost all parents (95 percent) assert that “learning self-reliance and independence” is an important reason to have their sons in Scouting. 78 percent of Boy Scouts agree that Scouting builds self-confidence. 89 percent of Venturers agree that “The activities in Venturing help you prepare for the future.” Men who were Scouts for five or more years report earning $75,000 average household income compared with $61,000 for men who were never in Scouts. 83 percent of men who were Scouts for five or more years agree that Scouting has helped them to be successful in their careers. Men who were Scouts for five or more years are almost twice as likely to graduate from college than men who were never Scouts. (35 percent v. 19 percent) Result: Success “Since 1934, when my father received his Eagle Scout award, Scouting (and specifically attaining the rank of Eagle) has been a family tradition. We count nine Eagles over three generations, with two more expected to join the rank within the year. Scouting experiences are something you carry with you all of your life. Obtaining the rank of Eagle gives one a template for success in life.” Fred Schmidt Eagle Scout and Attorney Green Bay, WI 9 of 20

10. 90 percent of Cub Scout parents said that because of Cub Scouting they share time with their sons by working on projects together, going places together, and talking together. More than 95 percent of Cub Scout parents state that social skills their son learned through Cub Scouting included: How to get along with others How to respect others’ feelings How to treat others 98 percent of Cub Scout parents stated that Scouting is a friendly and safe environment for their son to learn values and ethics. Result: Improved relationships “As a single parent it is important to me for my son to have positive adult male role models. In Scouting he has the chance to learn new skills, model good social and personal behaviors, and have fun. Accomplishing goals, like making and racing his pinewood derby car, he learns to be successful. Scouting makes a difference. Marilyn Owens Mother of Deanta Owens–Cub Scout Green Bay, WI 10 of 20

11. 91 percent of men who were Scouts state that Scouting developed in them how to overcome adversity or problems with courage. 93 percent of men who were Scouts for five or more years indicated that Scouting taught them how to have confidence in their abilities. 83 percent of men who were Scouts for five or more years state that there have been real-life situations where having been a Scout helped them to be a better leader. Result: Stretching oneself “Boy Scouts has helped John learn how to interact with his peers and develop social, physical and mental skills for his life. John has autism and it is important for him to interact with others in the community. In his Cub Scout pack for the past four years he has become more open, confident and willing to try new things that he would not do before he was a Scout.” Dan Nowak Father of John–Cub Scout Green Bay, WI 11 of 20

12. 75 percent of Cub Scout parents agree that the program encourages them to “read together” with their sons. 93 percent of Cub Scout parents state that the program helped their boys “develop new interests.” 66 percent of boys who are Scouts agree that Scouting has helped performance in physical fitness. 56 percent of current Scouts state that Scouting has increased their performance in science. Result: Enhanced education “As an educator for over 25 years, I look at the advantages of the Scouting program from a unique perspective. One of the most important things teachers and families can do is get young people engaged and interested in the world around them. Scouting provides an avenue for that to happen.” Mike Ford Professor–UW Oshkosh Bay-Lakes Council Executive Board Member Oshkosh, WI 12 of 20

13. 96 percent of men who were Scouts for five or more years say that Scouting developed in them the value of always being honest. 91 percent of the same group indicated that Scouting showed them the value of showing understanding to those less fortunate. 78 percent of all current Scouts agree that Scouting has taught them to care for others. Result: Higher ethical standards “The values of Scouting are so deeply rooted in who I am, it is impossible to imagine where I would be, or who I would be, without them. After so many years, the Scout Oath and Law are no longer words to be recited, but are bedrock principles to guide me in everyday life.” Dr. Robert Prehn Bay-Lakes Council Executive Board Member Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist ThedaCare 13 of 20

14. 90 percent of adult Scout leaders stated that through their involvement with the movement they were made a better citizen. 85 percent of these leaders agree that Scouting adds more fun to their lives. 69 percent of leaders agree that Scouting encourages them to be more patient with others. 88 percent of leaders agree that Scouting has helped them become a better parent. 40 percent say Scouting helped them develop a more personal relationship with God. Result: Improved lives “Scouting has given my sons opportunities that have positively changed their lives forever…Volunteering is an important aspect of our family life. The Scouting program has given all of our family the opportunity to share our time, talent, and treasure.” Raquel Strayer Scouting parent and volunteer Bonduel, WI 14 of 20

15. 96 percent of Boy Scout camp leaders played a role in helping young people succeed and grow! 86 percent of Boy Scout summer camp youth stated that they were able to try something that they had never tried before. 69 percent of these campers reflected on their personal relationship with God while at camp. 80 percent of summer camp youth participated in making a decision. 68 percent participated in flag ceremonies while at camp. Result: Self-reliance through camping “Working at summer camp has given me experiences and friendships that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. I learned so much more at camp about teamwork, responsibility, and myself than I could've learned from any other summer job.” Brandon Stascak Eagle Scout 2006 Order of the Arrow Treasurer Trading Post Manager, Gardner Dam Scout Camp Pulaski, WI 15 of 20

16. We hope that our “Mission: Family” presentation has convinced you that participating in Scouting over several years can help the entire family in the development of strong core values like no other youth program. Scouting does require a greater investment of time and effort from you and your family than other activities like sports and extracurricular may require. This investment, however, pays rich dividends in education, leadership, family relationships, and fundamental character and ethics. All statistics used are from research conducted by Harris Interactive from 1995-2005 on the Boy Scouts, men who were Scouts, and parents! Result: Improving your family 16 of 20

17. Thank you for taking the time to look closely at the difference Scouting can make for your family. The long-term benefits to your Scout from his Scouting experiences, both those he has had in the past and the ones yet to come, will serve him well on his way to and through manhood. We recognize that in today’s society time is a precious commodity. We hope that the values of Scouting, some of which were highlighted in this presentation, will continue to be instilled in your Scout. We urge you to continue walking along the Scouting trail with your Scout and remain active in his pack or troop. Thank you! 17 of 20

18. You have completed the “Mission: Family” presentation! If you would like to learn more about being involved with your Scout in the program, go to www.scoutparents.org and become more engaged with other aspects of the program that will provide you insight into how to support your Scout in the program. The support you provide your Scout in the program will help develop who they are and who they will become. Congratulations! 18 of 20

19. The next slide in this presentation is a personal Family Values Chart that you should print. We suggest that you have one or more family meetings and ask each member of the family to tell what values are important to him or her. Put them all together on the Family Values Chart. Give a copy to each member of the family. Display it in your home and let it be the starting point to make your family’s core values clear and specific. Thank you for this first step in supporting your Scout ! 19 of 20

20. Our Family’s Values: Scouting makes the difference!