Scouting in The United Methodist Church is special. Our church is endowed with certain responsibilities that allow scouting to become a ministry. Boy Scouting was endorsed by the Methodist Church in 1919, and The United Methodist Church currently serves more youth with Boy Scouting than any other Protestant religious body, with over 390,000 youth in 12,000 BSA Units.
Scouting is supported nationally by the Office of Civic Youth Serving Agencies of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, which emphasizes faith modeling, while clearly stating that faith teaching is the responsibility of the home or religious institution. Parents who share the miracle of their children with us expect us to model our faith and help their children grow. Boy Scouts of America stresses citizenship, character development and physical fitness and encourages leaders to promote these values. Faith development is encouraged by demonstration in a nurturing environment with opportunities to practice faith skills. United Methodist Boy Scout leaders let young people know that God is important in their lives by living a faith-oriented lifestyle.
The United Methodist Church supports Scouting by promoting the use of the God & Country Programs for youth, which provide age-appropriate religious education. The Church also provides religious recognition for distinguished service by adults in ministry to young people, including the Cross and Flame and Torch Awards. Outstanding Boy Scout units are recognized by the Bishop’s Award of Excellence. The Good Samaritan Award honors individual Scouts who demonstrate the attributes of servant leadership to others.
“With the BSA emphasis in leadership development, fostering an appreciation for God and the created order, encouraging civic responsibility and social involvement and helping shape young men’s moral and ethical values, the Boy Scouts of America is an organization that the United Methodist Church encourages all young men to consider joining.”
Joseph L. Harris, General Secretary, General Commission on United Methodist Men
John Wesley UMC was founded in 1971 in the growing Champions/1960 area of Houston. Church support of Scouting dates almost to the beginning: Boy Scout Troop 1276 was chartered in 1972. In 1987, John Wesley UMC chartered Cub Scout Pack 1276 and, due to growth, chartered Cub Scout Pack 1376 in 1992.
With the expansion of church facilities in 1992, a new sanctuary was added and the temporary buildings used by the Scouting program were eliminated. The church and Scouts joined together to fund the construction of a log cabin, now used both for Scouting and church activities.
Many of our members are active Boy Scout leaders, ensuring that Boy Scouting remains a part of the John Wesley UMC outreach ministries for children and youth. Our Boy Scout Units frequently work with the church on service projects. Staff and members of the church also present God & Country programs on a recurring basis. Scout Sunday is another special time for the Boy Scout Ministry. This allows Boy Scouts to participate in the life of the church and truly prove “A Scout is Reverent.”
In 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was founded to help young people grow into responsible, well-rounded citizens. As a result, more than 100 million Americans have experienced the traditional, values-based program offered by the BSA.
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 goodness of a person and of the society he or she lives in often comes down to very simple things and words found in the Scout Law. Every society depends on trust and loyalty, on courtesy and kindness, on bravery and reverence. These are the values of Scouting, and these are the values of Americans."
President George W. Bush
“Scouting is a game with a purpose.”
Lord Baden-Powell, Founder of Scouting
Cub Scouting is where it all begins. Ninety-five percent of all Boy Scouts participated in Cub Scouting at some time. Cub Scouting strengthens the family, encourages physical fitness and teaches core values to live by through its program. A thrilling outdoor program starts in Cub Scouting with day camps, resident camps, council-organized camps, pack camping and the fabulous make-believe themes of Cub World venues such as castles, frontier forts, pirate ships and more.
Tiger Cubs are 1st grade boys who participate with their adult partners. The program emphasizes shared leadership, learning about the community and family understanding.
Cub Scouts, for boys in the 2nd and 3rd grade, emphasizes character development, citizenship training and personal fitness.
Webelos Scouts, 4th & 5th grade boys, participate in more advanced activities that begin to prepare them to become Boy Scouts.Boy Scouts have many special activities available to them, such as camporees, summer camps, Scouting shows and national jamborees. Boy Scouting is a year-round program for boys 11 through 17 designed to achieve the aims of Scouting through a vigorous outdoor program and peer group leadership with the counsel of an adult Scoutmaster.
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
For more information on Boy Scouts, visit www.scouting.org
