Adventure! That's what Scouting is! (Official Boy Scout Handbook, Chapter 1, Page 1)

In short, Scouting is a youth organization that uses a fun program to promote character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fitness for every member.

The Boy Scouts of America makes Scouting available to our nation's youth by chartering community organizations to operate Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Varsity Scout Teams, and Explorer Posts. The chartered organization must provide an adequate and safe meeting place and capable adult leadership, and must adhere to the principles and policies of the BSA. The BSA local council provides unit leader training, program ideas, camping facilities, literature, and professional guidance for volunteer leaders.

Scouting's adult volunteers provide leadership at the unit, district, council, and national levels. Many are parents of Scouts; many entered Scouting as youth members.