Gateway Area Council

Gateway Area Council
www.GatewayAreaCouncil.org
608.784.4040
Serving the youth of SW Wisconsin and SE Minnesota

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Gateway Area Council > Council > Mission

Gateway Area Council Mission

Mission Statement
The mission of the Gateway Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Vision Statement

	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 leaders.
	Serve our communities and families with our quality, values based program.

The Purpose of the Boy Scouts of America
is to provide for boys and young adults an effective program designed to build desirable qualities of character, to train them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop in them personal fitness, thus assisting in the development of American citizens who:

	Are physically, mentally and emotionally fit;
	Have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced by such qualities as initiative, courage and resourcefulness;
	Have personal and stable values firmly based on religious concepts;
	Desire to learn the principles of the American social, economic and governmental systems;
	Are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage;
	Have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and
	Are prepared to fulfill the varied responsibilities of participating in and giving leadership to American society and in the forums of the world
	The Boy Scouts of America accomplishes this purpose by making the program available to organizations and groups that have compatible goals, including religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor and governmental bodies.

Programs of Gateway Area Council

Tiger Cubs
is a program for first grade boys with the motto, "Search, Discover, Share." The boy participates with an adult in the program designed to strengthen family bonds, provide an introduction to Cub Scouting, and make Scouting available to more boys.

Cub Scouts
is a family-centered program for boys in the second through fifth grades and creates a strong bond between the boy and his family through joint participation in activities.

Boy Scouts
is a unique program for boys in the sixth grade through 18 years of age. When a young man takes the oath to become a Boy Scout, he learns leadership skills and develops a sense of responsibility that will last a lifetime while working with his peers as they explore hobbies and career interests while gaining an appreciation for the outdoors.

Venturing
is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Venturing’s purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people to mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Venturing crews can specialize in a variety of avocation or hobby interests. Venturing programs are developed around six experience areas of emphasis.

Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow (OA) was founded by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson in 1915 at the Treasure Island Camp of the Philadelphia Council, Boy Scouts of America. It became an official program experiment in 1922 and was approved as part of the Scouting program in 1934. In 1948 the OA, recognized as the BSA's national brotherhood of honor campers, became an official part of the national camping program of the Boy Scouts of America.

Varsity Scouting
Varsity Scouting is a program for young men who are at least 14 years of age but not yet 18. It provides options for young men who are looking for rugged high adventure or challenging sporting activities and still want to be a part of a Scouting program that offers the advancement and values of the Boy Scouts of America.

Religious Emblems
The religious emblems programs are created by the various religious groups to encourage youth to grow stronger in their faith.

Scouting's Solutions For Our Community

Leadership Skills
For over 90 years the Boy Scouts of America has worked to develop the character, citizenship and to teach leadership skills to our youth. The proven technique of our patrol method allows Scouts to exercise leadership skills in the education of younger Scouts.

Gangs
Boy Scouting offers a positive gang experience, with recognition, adventure, role models and support from peers. It allows a youth to be part of a group with a positive identity.

Drugs
Substance Abuse Prevention programs include: "Drugs: A Deadly Game". An Award Winning National Publication to educate young people concerning the harmful effects of drugs. All Scouting handbooks contain important information regarding drug education.

Peer Pressure
Boy Scouting and the Learning for Life Exploring program allow teenagers to work with peers to build self-esteem and confidence. These youth work with younger peers to exert a positive peer pressure.

Unemployment
The Scouting program offers over 100 merit badge activities that give youth a "Hands On" experience in career related fields.

Illiteracy
Tomorrow’s leaders work with youth from housing communities to help them in determining the priorities for a successful life; including academic skills. All Scouting literature is written on an age appropriate level to help youth develop their regarding skills.

Role Models
Adult leaders are recruited to give guidance and direction in the lives of young people. Scout leaders help t o shape the lives of young people throughout our community.

Poverty
Scouting teaches leadership, values and work ethic, showing youth how to pay their own way – to activities and camps. These skills, along with vocational education and academic skills prepare youth to be a productive member of society.

Child Abuse
National Award Winning programs to help youth and adults in the detection and prevention of child abuse. All youth and adults are required to complete this program upon joining Scouting.

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Gateway Area Council
608.784.4040 2600 Quarry Road - La Crosse, WI 54601

e-mail: info@GatewayAreaCouncil.org • official web site: www.GatewayAreaCouncil.org