For more than 91 years the Scouting program has been synonymous with the outdoors. In fact, ask almost anyone what Scouting is all about, and chances are the first thing they will mention is camping.

There is certainly nothing wrong with being known as an organization that promotes outdoor activities, but Scouting is more than a camping club. Scouting is a program of character education and leadership development based on the values found in the Scout Oath and Law. Scouting's outdoor program is simply a method the BSA uses to teach values and leadership.

Despite nine decades of developing strong leaders, many people continue to confuse Scouting's methods with its mission. This misconception presents problems when councils try to attract members, volunteers, and financial resources.

To help foster a better understanding of Scouting, the National Council recently introduced a new communications platform called Faces of the Future.

Facing the Future
Every day, parents and teachers confront issues such as a lack of positive role models for children, declining societal values, poor test scores and illiteracy, school violence, sedentary lifestyles, and constantly changing communities where neighborhoods rarely remain constant. Not only do these issues pose immediate challenges for children and parents alike, they can also be detrimental as a child grows into adulthood.

Using research conducted by child development specialists, the BSA has grouped its activities and initiatives around six Scouting themes:

These themes form the foundation of Faces of the Future. Everything in, Scouting—from learning to tie knots to the patrol method—can be viewed in the context of at least one of these six themes.

Essentially, these themes provide a way of looking beyond seemingly simple activities. The key is to view an activity in terms of its outcome.

Knot tying, for instance, teaches patience and helps boys develop character; earning merit badges teaches a boy about the world and prepares him for a lifetime of learning.

In addition, these six themes provide a framework to communicate the outcomes of Scouting to our communities. The National Council recommends setting aside certain times of the year to emphasize particular elements. For instance, focus on faith traditions during the holiday season or during Scout week when many Scouts and their families will attend worship services in uniform. Determining when to focus on a specific theme is left to the local council.

Each council received Faces of the Future kits, which include sample speeches, editorials, fact sheets, and more. The materials can be tailored to the needs of the local community.

The outdoor component of Scouting is a strong and valuable part of our program and our heritage, but the outcomes of the Scouting program are what make a true difference in the lives of young people. Faces of the Future is helping us to better communicate those outcomes.