Principles and Guidelines for Scouting through 2019

Principles and Guidelines for Boy Scout and Cub Scout Units until December 31, 2019

On December 31, 2019, the Church will officially stop sponsoring Scouting units. Until that time, leaders should, under the direction of the bishopric, continue to use the Boy Scout and Cub Scout programs to help support the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and Primary (see Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 8.1.3, 11.1). The following principles and guidelines can help.

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Principles (see also http://aptraining.lds.org)

• Purposes of activities: Activities should “fulfill gospel-centered purposes” ( Handbook 2, 13.1). They should help boys and young men build relationships, give service, have fun, learn practical skills, build confidence, and prepare for their divine roles. They are more likely to learn these lessons from experiences rather than classroom settings.
• Balance: Activities should provide a balance of opportunities to develop spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually (see Luke 2:52; Handbook 2, 8.13.1; 13.2.6).
• Planning: Activities for young men should be planned in advance and executed by Aaronic Priesthood quorum and troop leaders, with support from adult advisers (see Handbook 2, 8.13). Activities for boys should be planned and executed by Primary and Cub leaders.

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Guidelines

• Continue to register young men and boys ages 8–13 and adult leaders with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
• Consult with parents of boys and young men to determine how to best support their goals in Scouting.
• Use Scouting resources—such as merit badges, boards of review, and courts of honor—to accomplish the purposes of Church activities as described above