It provides youth training in character, citizenship, personal fitness, and leadership, and aims to develop the skills necessary to become successful adults.

[8][9] Scouts BSA is focused on developing four skills: Character, Citizenship, Personal Fitness, and Leadership.

[10] Troop programs and activities are determined by the senior patrol leader and a council of adults under the oversight of the Scoutmaster.

Troop meeting activities can include training in Scout skills to planning camping trips or playing games.

These outings are intended to allow Scouts to work on skills and rank advancement, and have fun.

The BSA summer camp program provides a week-long session for troops that includes merit badge advancement and adventure activities.

Camp facilities may include ranges for shooting sports (archery, rifle, and shotgun) or for climbing and rappelling.

It is common for several troops within a district or council to gather at least once a year at a special weekend campout called a camporee.

[13] A camporee is a district- or council-wide event where several units camp and engage in activities, Scoutcraft competitions and learn specialized skills.

The badge for the Scout rank consists of a simple fleur-de-lis, which symbolizes a compass rose.

The Second Class badge features a scroll inscribed with the Scout Motto, with the ends turned up and a knotted rope hanging from the bottom.

Life has a First Class emblem on a red heart, and initially symbolized the first-aid and health-related merit badges that the rank required.

[28] It generally consists of a khaki button-up shirt, olive green pants or shorts, belt, socks, and optional neckerchief.

The chartering organization is responsible for providing a meeting place and promoting a good program.

[31][32] While both boys and girls are members of Scouts BSA, as of 2024[update] individual troops are single gender.

[34] The Lone Scout program serves youth who cannot take part in a nearby troop on a regular basis because of distance, weather, time, disability, or other difficulties.

It is the BSA's national honor society for experienced campers, based on Native American traditions, and dedicated to the ideal of cheerful service.

It was an alternative available to boys ages fourteen through seventeen that took basic Boy Scouting and adds high adventure, sporting, and other elements that are more appealing to older youth to accomplish the aims of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Further ranks have progressive requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth, and Scout Spirit.

Scouts with a permanent mental or physical disability may use alternate requirements, based on their abilities and approved by the council.

The second phase of Star, Life, and Eagle is designed to develop leadership skills and encourage the Scout to explore potential vocations and avocations through the merit badge program.

These ranks require that the Scout serve in a position of responsibility and perform community service.

[42] Ranks and other recognition are presented in a troop awards ceremony called the court of honor.

[42] Scouts BSA leaders who complete training, tenure, and performance requirements are recognized by a system of awards, often represented by "knots" on the uniform, for various accomplishments.

[43] One of the more intensive Scout leader training programs is Wood Badge, for which successful participants receive a special neckerchief, woggle and wooden beads on a thong.

[31] The troop committee is made up of responsible adults who are approved by the local council and the chartered organization.

Wood Badge consists of five days of training (usually presented as two, nonconsecutive weekends) and an application phase of several months.

When training is complete, leaders are recognized with the Wood Badge beads, neckerchief, and woggle.

[52] "A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.