Scouting was designed to be carried out mainly in the open, and in all four seasons. In the outdoors, perhaps for the first time, a boy can meet the natural world face to face, gain a greater appreciation for how wonderful it really is, and learn how to thrive there. In doing so he learns the skills that qualify him for Scouting's more rugged, more exciting, and more rewarding and memorable challenges. The Scout learns, he achieves, and he discovers how it feels to go further, perhaps than he thought he ever could. Over time, the Scout grows in body and mind, develops his self confidence, and he matures in an environment that is founded on the highest of values and moral principles.
Boys learn from the example set by their adult leaders.
Association with caring, committed adults of high character, both male and female, who serve as positive role models, is critical at this stage of a young man's development. Many Scouting methods are effective leadership builders. The more opportunities a Scout gets to lead, the better his leadership skills will become. Multiple levels of leadership challenge are available throughout the program, enabling Scouts to develop their leadership skills prior to attempting the more complex leadership positions. Leadership development involves all Scouts, those that are in leadership positions as well as those that are not, since cooperating with and supporting leaders is part of what leadership development is all about.