Mission Statement

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.

Vision Statement

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

In the future Scouting will continue to

• Offer young people responsible fun and adventure;
• Instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law;
• Train young people in citizenship, service, and leadership;
• Serve America's communities and families with its quality, values-based program.

Our Ideals

The Aims of Scouting of straightforward - to provide young people with a venue through which they can :

• Acquire specific skills and the confidence that comes with possessing those skills,

• Develop and exercise their own personal style of leadership,

• Develop a sense of participatory citizenship and a sense of duty to others, to community, to nation, and to God.

The Aims of Scouting are delivered through the Scouting Method:

• The Patrol Method - Scouts run the troop and work together as cohesive units. Troop 581currently features 2 patrols, including special patrols set aside for Venture / Leadership Corps Scouts (ages 14 and up, rank of First Class or above) and for New Scouts (incoming Webelos and new scouts - assigned a special older Scout Troop Guide and an adult Assistant Scoutmaster).

• Outdoor Activities - Providing the opportunity to learn and apply skills, and to develop self-confidence. Troop 581 schedules an outdoor event at least once per month throughout the year.

• Learning Activities - Either in the form of guest speakers, troop programs, or field trips.

• Service Activities - Engaging in service projects throughout the community during the year.

We believe strongly in the ideals embodied in the Scout Law, the Scout Oath, the Scout Motto, the Scout Slogan, and the Outdoor Code. We believe in these simple words can be found the essence of social, philosophical, and religious thought from the past two millennia as to just what it really means to be an individual of honor and integrity. To be well rounded and prepared, and to be committed to family, community, one's faith, and to one's nation. To be dedicated to the cheerful service of others.

Scouts run Troop 581. The Scouts set the calendar, decide which outdoor events to schedule, decide which merit badges to offer during the year, and decide which service projects to undertake. In addition to the Annual Planning Meeting, there are monthly Patrol Leader Council meetings where the boys plan the details of the month to come. We believe strongly in the Patrol Method, where the boys work together in teams, learning to distribute workloads, accept responsibility for assigned tasks, and to exercise responsible leadership.

Adult leaders and parents are there to provide guidance, logistical, and financial support. Our role is to support the boys as they grow in exercising their leadership skills, and to make available to them as many opportunities for advancement and service as possible.

In a nutshell - we believe that Scouting develops young people of character. Young people of character grow up to be tomorrow's citizens of character. And citizens of character form the backbone of communities of character.