About Us
Scouting America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. Scouting America provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and develops leadership skills. Scouting is the ultimate form of learning by doing.
For more than a century, Scouting America has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. We believe that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible and productive society.
Mission Statement
The mission of Scouting 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.
Vision Statement
Scouting 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
For more information on Scouting America, please consult the following resources:
Del-Mar-Va Council Bylaws (pdf)
Rules and Regulations (pdf)
The Del-Mar-Va Council was established in 1917 and serves over 3,600 families throughout the peninsula. 20 full-time staff and more than 2,000 registered volunteers work with youth to teach them new skills, build their self-esteem and reinforce the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Scout Law
Research Studies on the Importance of Scouting
Tufts CAMP Study
A research team from Tufts University worked with Scouting America’s Cradle of Liberty Council to measure the character attributes of both Scouts and non-Scouts – all with a goal of better understanding the character development of youth as it was happening. More than 2,000 Scouts aged 6-12 from across Philadelphia were measured in six key areas: hopefulness (hopeful future expectations), obedience, cheerfulness, helpfulness, kindness and trustworthiness.
Key findings included:
- Over time, Scouts reported significant increases in several character areas, while non-Scouts did not.
- Scouts are more likely to embrace positive social values than non-Scouts.
- The more regular their meeting attendance, the better character attributes.
- More tenure equals better character attributes.
- Better program and more involvement equals better character attributes.
When asked what was “most important” to them, Scouts were significantly more likely than non-Scouts to choose “helping others” or “doing the right thing” versus “being smart,” “being the best,” or “playing sports.”
Values of Scouts: A Study of Ethics and Character
Research conducted by Harris Interactive, May 2005
The research comprised two interrelated surveys: one of 1,524 adults aged 18 and older across the United States (595 had been members of Scouting America during their youth), and the other with 1,714 (fourth through 12th grade) youth attending public, private and parochial schools across the U.S. Of the 1,714 youth, 275 are or have been in a Scouting program. The surveys found that Scouting provides youth with an opportunity to try new things, provide service to others, build self-confidence and reinforce ethical standards. These opportunities not only help them when they are young, but carry forward into their adult lives, improving their relationships, their work lives, their family lives and the values by which they live. In fact, 83 percent of men who were Scouts agree that the values they learned in Scouting continue to be very important to them today, with 63 percent who were Scouts five or more years strongly agreeing with this statement.
