1972
The Sixth Edition, Scoutmaster's Handbook (1972) was the first to list "Three Aims of Scouting:" Character, Citizenship, and Fitness. It included an interesting list of behaviors that suggest evidence of those qualities by which a Scouter could judge the effectiveness of his program:
THE CHARACTER AIM
 | He is confident in himself, but not conceited. |
| He is honest with himself and others. |
| His personal appearance and general actions show that he respects himself. |
| He has some skills that enable him to enjoy life. |
| He can take care of himself in emergencies. |
| He shows imagination and resourcefulness in solving problems. |
| He is courageous in hard situations. |
| He can plan and use logic to meet unfamiliar situations. |
| He shows what moral values he holds high by the decisions he makes. |
| He is responsible and loyal to the commitments he makes to himself and others. |
| He believes in some religious concept and practices his belief in his daily life. |
| He respects other people's beliefs when they are different from his own. |
THE CITIZENSHIP AIM
"...If you are making progress in citizenship training, you will observe behaviors like these:"
| The boy knows something of his heritage as an American and is proud of it. |
| He understands to some degree American social, economic, and governmental systems. |
| He understands and can use skills of leadership to lead a group to a successful outcome. |
| He demonstrates concern for and interest in others. |
| He has some knowledge of cultures and social groups other than his own and is able to understand something of what it is like to belong to another such group. |
| He is aware of community organizations and what they do. |
| He understands the ethnic and social situation in his neighborhood. |
| He contributes in some way to the improvement of the environment in which he lives. |
| He wisely uses property belonging to himself and others. |
| He explores vocational and hobby possibilities for himself. |
THE FITNESS AIM
Physical Fitness
| The boy knows and practices good health rules; he has good health habits. |
| His physical fitness is shown by strength, muscle tone, and endurance. |
| He has reasonably good physical coordination. |
| He keeps his weight within healthful limits. |
Mental Fitness
| Being alert (mentally awake!) |
| Being able to give and receive information |
| Retaining and using knowledge |
| Using good judgment, thinking logically, making sound decisions |
| Solving problems creatively |
| Using a questioning approach to problems |
Moral Fitness
| Courage about what he believes. Being called "chicken" doesn't divert him from doing what he believes is right--or not doing what he believes is wrong. |
| Respect for other people's viewpoints when they are different from his. |
| Compassion for other's feelings and needs. |
| Acting as if the rights of others matter to him. |
| Accepting others as equal in worth and dignity. |
Emotional Fitness
| Adaptability--being able to adjust to new or changing situations. |
| Self-discipline--having self-control |
| Respect for self |
| Constructive and enthusiastic attitudes. |
THE METHODS OF SCOUTING
The Sixth Edition was the first of two editions to state that the Methods "are *not* listed in order of importance--because they are equally important. There were only seven Methods, however, and the Uniform was not one of them:
- Scouting Ideals
- Patrols
- Advancement
- Adult Male Association
- Outdoor Program
- Leadership Development
- Personal Growth
Other Program Elements
"We have considered those parts of Scouting that are so essential
to the success of the program that we call them methods. There are, of course, other
features and elements--some unique to Scouting, some not. Each contributes its own flavor
to the total program.
We note some of these other program elements here, in no special order."
The Scout Uniform
The Good Turn
Adventure
Competition
Activities Among Troops
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