Boy Scouts of America - 695 Black Hills Area Council

The Council organizes and supports the scouting program in 12 counties in western south dakota and 2 counties in eastern Wyoming, which encompasses a 30,000 square mile geographical Area and is one of the largest youth serving organizations in the community. At december 31, 2023, 540 youth were registered in scouting programs. Cub scouting is the largest of the scouting programs, available to boys and girls from kindergarten to fifth-grade or 5 to 11 years. The program is designed to pursue the aims of character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Cub scouting is divided into grade-based levels of lion cubs, tiger cubs, wolf cubs, bear cubs, and webelos Scouts. Scouts bsa is the flagship scouting program for boys and girls ages 11 to 18. It uses outdoor activities such as camping, aquatics and hiking to achieve the aims of character development, leadership development, citizenship training and personal fitness training. It adds a program of high adventure and sporting activities. The order of the arrow is the Scouts bsa national honor society for experienced campers, and dedicated to the ideals of cheerful service and brotherhood. Venturing is a program for young men and women 14 (and who have completed eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. The progam's focus is on high adventure activities led by youth. Exploring is a program for young men and women 6th grade - 20 years old, and has the same purpose as venturing. The explorer program focuses on mentoring today's youth in career and life enhancing opportuntities. The Council also provides training, administrative and other support to the adult volunteers who deliver scouting programs.