The purpose of Scout camping is not to teach boys to be expert outdoorsmen. Although many discover a tremendous love for the out-of-doors, and may hike, camp and canoe all their adult lives for recreation, this is not the mission of Scout Camping.  The purpose is to develop good values, leadership, citizenship, and fitness and to prepare them for adulthood - all while having FUN!

• In the process of learning outdoor skills, boys gain self-esteem (on the journey of becoming a "skilled outdoorsman").

• In the process of living with a boy-led patrol, planning menus, cooking, doing cleanup, etc., they learn leadership, responsibility, flexibility, compromise, conflict resolution, and more.

• In working on badges at camp, they learn to set goals, to manage their time, to forgo a game to finish requirements, to enjoy learning, and to enjoy the satisfaction of accomplishment. And, for the most part, they get to choose which badges they take!

• Boys love being in a "gang." Camp gives them an opportunity to live, eat, sleep, work and play together with their Scout "gang" -- doing positive things and cementing friendships that can last a lifetime.

• In camp under caring volunteer adult leaders, boys are nevertheless a bit more free than at home. They get wet, get dirty, and experience adversity. If their tent blows down at 2:00 a.m. on a rainy night, they have to get out and put it up again. They learn by experience and they grow. Ask any adult who has spent a summer (or five) at Boy Scout camp about their camp experiences. They remember it fondly to this day. For the great majority, it was magic!

On the road to young adulthood

Absorbing the values messages from their leaders, as they stare into the magic embers of a campfire, under a canopy of stars.