South Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America

For over a century, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has helped build future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong value with fun. The BSA believes --and, through over a century of experience, knows -- that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible and productive society. Eagle Scouts from the BSA have become astronauts, governors, congressmen and even a President of the United States. They also include movie producers, famous actors, a Nobel Prize winner, Pulitzer Prize winners and successful entrepreneurs. The mission of the South Florida Council is to deliver the highest quality, values-based youth program of character development and leadership training based upon the precepts embodied in the South Oath and Law: to prepare young people to make ethical decisions in order to reach their full potential and to better serve their family, community and country.

The Scoutreach Division gives special leadership and emphasis to urban and rural Scouting programs. Scoutreach is the BSA's commitment to making sure that all young people have an opportunity to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. Today, young people are faced with many challenges including fragile families and disintegrating neighborhoods. Scoutreach meets the developmental needs of youth in urban settings. Scouting, by emphasizing ethics and moral values, addresses many of the social concerns of parents and youth in our country. Scouting prepares urban and rural youth to be leaders, to accept responsibility, and to care about principles and causes beyond their own self-interest. Our biggest asset in urban and rural neighborhoods is a well-defined program based on values, learning by doing, fun, and positive role models.

Learning for Life several programs designed to support schools and community based organizations in their efforts to prepare youth to successfully handle the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance their self-confidence, motivation, and self-esteem. Learning for Life programs help youth develop social and life skills, assist in character development, and help youth formulate positive personal values. It prepares youth to make ethical decisions that will help them achieve their full potential. Race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, economic status and citizenship are not criteria for participation in Learning for Life. At a time when drugs and gangs are ravaging many of our schools and communities, Learning for Life programs can be a catalyst to help stop this trend. The program uses age-appropriate, grade-specific lesson plans to give youth skills and information that will help them cope with the complexities of today's society.

Exploring is Learning for Life's career education program for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) or 15 through 20 years old. Color, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, economic status, and citizenship are not criteria for participation. Exploring's purpose is to provide experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Explorers are ready to investigate the meaning of interdependence in their personal relationships and communities. Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Local community organizations initiate an Explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop. Explorer posts can specialize in a variety of career skills.

The Explorer Club is career exploration at the middle school level. The Clubs offer an array of options. One popular choice features interaction with professionals from across several career fields including STEM. Another option is to focus on only one specific career field such as law enforcement. All of the Explorer Clubs in Miami Dade County meet at the middle school or K-8 center. The Clubs typically meet either bi-monthly or monthly, depending on the choice of the participating organization. Meetings may take place at schools, places of business or community organization offices. All programs include both in-school and out-of-school activities, plus hands-on experiences. In addition, local Exploring Posts can provide mentors for Clubs