Hispanic/Latino Focus

Why is the Boy Scouts of America concerned about serving Hispanic communities throughout the United States? In a nutshell, it's the right thing to do. According to the latest U.S. Census report, Hispanic Americans account for 39.9 million people in the United States, becoming the largest minority group in the country. Additional findings from the report are listed below.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the word Hispanic applies to U.S. citizens and residents who identify themselves as descendents of people from Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, or Central and South America. The majority of Hispanic Americans live in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.

These compelling statistics translate into a unique opportunity for the Boy Scouts of America to further its mission by serving Hispanic American youth and their families well into the 21st century.

Brief History

Serving Hispanic American young people isn't new to Scouting. In 1990, when the Boy Scouts of America recognized that the population growth among Hispanic Americans had been increasing at a fast rate since the 1970s, the BSA implemented the Hispanic Emphasis program. A director was hired to oversee this pioneering program, which was funded in large part by the Kellogg Foundation.

In 1991, six Hispanic regional/local directors were brought on board to assist local councils located primarily in the Southwest to help introduce Scouting in a way that was culturally relevant to Hispanic Americans. These professional Scouters conducted workshops on Hispanic culture, assisted councils in identifying and recruiting Hispanic volunteers at all council levels, and helped unit-serving executives organize new units in largely Hispanic neighborhoods.

Also, for the first time in Scouting's history, a large number of Spanish language resources (training videos and manuals, booklets, pamphlets, brochures, posters, fliers, public service announcements) were produced. The goal was to help Hispanic American parents understand the Scouting program. The rationale: If parents understood the Scouting program in their native language, the likelihood of their volunteering to be a Scout leader would increase.

The Hispanic Emphasis program was integrated with the national Urban Emphasis program in 1993. Even though its emphasis as a national initiative had declined by the late 1990s, the program's Siempre Juntos ("Always Together") spirit lives on in the BSA's Scoutreach Division. The Scoutreach mission is to recruit strong adult leaders and develop solid relationships with chartered organizations in urban and rural communities nationwide, to help ensure that culturally diverse youth have the opportunity to join Scouting. Spanish-language materials continue to be produced, and the Scoutreach Division continues to provide support services to local councils.

Hispanic American Organizational Endorsement

Resources

Materials Available at No Cost

Use the Bin Resources Order Form available at your local council service center.

General Support

02-095The Values of Men and Boys in America: a Call to Action for Parents.This Spanish-language brochure for parents presents the findings of the landmark 1995 Louis Harris & Associates study, which showed that Scouting experience has a positive effect on values and achievement.
02-972Hispanic Demographics for the 21st Century . This fact sheet is especially useful for presentations to prospective chartered organizations and volunteers.
11-193°Scouting ÖVale La Pena! Service Award. the purpose of the °Scouting ÖVale La Pena! Service Award is to recognize outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic American/Latino youth.
11-215Serving Migrant Families Through Scoutreach (English). This booklet is designed to provide unit-serving executives with some best-method approaches for serving migrant youth and their families.
94-003Your Organization and Scouting. This bilingual promotional brochure demonstrates to organizations that serve the Hispanic community how Scouting is a viable resource program for addressing community needs and concerns.
94-018Your Son-A Great Treasure. This excellent bilingual promotional piece shows Scouting's involvement in the Hispanic American community. Can be used with families and potential chartered organizations.
94-027aHow Scouting Dollars Serve. This translation of the English brochure outlines how Scouting programs are funded. Useful for presentations to prospective volunteers and chartered organizations, and in fundraising.
94-038Reflecting/Ages and Stages. 11:20 minutes.
94-041How Do You Pronounce Hispanic Names?
94-054Drugs: a Deadly Game. Guide to the BSA's campaign to encourage youth to repudiate drugs.
94-055aCertificate of Appreciation. Spanish language recognition certificate for adults.
94-070bMarketing to Hispanic Americans in Your Local Council. This booklet acts as an essential guide for unit-serving executives on how to conduct Hispanic emphasis in the council.
94-085Personal Health and Medical Record in Spanish.
94-098Scouting: It Works for Your Youth. This bilingual brochure explains to prospective Scouting parents, volunteers, and community organizations how Scouting's programs develop character in youth.
94-099Join the Adventure! Join Scouting! This bilingual brochure offers parents a closer look at the exciting elements of the Scouting program.
94-104Scouting: It's Worth the Effort!. Bilingual print ad. This ad is designed to promote Scouting in the Hispanic community, with special emphasis on family values.
94-110Scouting! It's Worth the Effort. This bilingual poster is designed to promote Scouting in the Hispanic community, with special emphasis on family values.
94-124What Is Scouting? This Spanish-language video is designed to give Hispanic parents an orientation in the Scouting program, emphasizing their involvement in their son's program. Hispanic Scouting volunteers give personal testimonials as to the importance of Scouting in their sons' lives.
94-210Guide to Safe Scouting. Spanish version of the unit leader's guide for current BSA policies and procedures to safe activities.
 

Training for Cub Scout Leaders

94-220Cub Scout Leader Specific Training Video.
94-221Cub Scout Leader Specific Training Manual/CD-ROM. This Spanish version of the Cub Scout Leader Specific Training video, manual, and CD-ROM provides the trainer with five different courses related to the specific Cub Scout positions for Cubmasters and assistants, pack committee chairmen and members, Tiger Cub den leaders, Cub Scout den leaders and assistants, and Webelos den leaders and assistants.
94-230New Leader Essentials. Video.
94-231New Leader Essentials. Manual/CD-ROM. This is the Spanish version of initial training for all new adult leaders. It gives an overview of the core elements of Scouting, including the organization's mission, aims, and methods.
Cub Scouting
94-017Staging Den and Pack Ceremonies. This is a Spanish translation of the book of ideas for good opening, closing, advancement, graduation, and other special ceremonies that make Cub Scouting events more meaningful.
94-081BSA Family Book. This Spanish language book describes the BSA's family program and includes discussion topics for family meetings and activities.
94-100Cub Scouting: It's Not Just for Kids. Video. 8:32 minutes. This Spanish video encourages parents to get involved in a pack committee leadership capacity.
94-217Cub Scout Leader Book. This is the Spanish version of the handbook for leaders in Cub Scouting. It helps them understand their leadership roles and provide useful program ideas for organizing and running pack and den meetings.
94-218Cub Scout Leader How-to Book. This revised Spanish version provides leaders in Cub Scouting with ideas and instructions for den and pack games, crafts, projects, and various outdoor activities.
94-219Tiger Cub Handbook. This is a full-length Spanish version of the handbook for youth and parents in Tiger Cubs.
94-244Wolf Handbook . This is the Spanish version of the Wolf Handbook.
 

Training for Boy Scout Leaders

Basic Leader Training Materials
The following Spanish-language resources help train new Boy Scouting leaders in effective troop leadership skills and guides them to personal growth experience as leaders.
94-093The Barbecue. Video. 17:56 minutes.
94-094The Barbecue. Viewer's guide.
94-095Summer Camp Boy Scouting. Video. 9:40 minutes.
94-222Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training Video. This Spanish version of the Boy Scouting Leader Specific Training video goes along with the training manual (No. 34879) and addresses a Scoutmaster's/assistant Scoutmaster's interaction with the troop's youth leaders and other Scouts.
94-230New Leader Essentials Video.
94-231New Leader Essentials. Manual/CD-ROM. This is the Spanish version of initial training for all new adult leaders. It gives an overview of the core elements of Scouting, including the organization's mission, aims, and methods.
94-241Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training.
Boy Scouting
94-011Boy Scout Requirements. This booklet lists in Spanish the requirements for merit badges, rank advancements, and Eagle palms, and highlights recognitions for special opportunities.
94-026Aims and Methods of Boy Scouting. This bilingual brochure explains how the elements of Boy Scouting follow the program's unique aims and methods.
94-111Boy Scout Mini Handbook. Bilingual. This resource is designed to fit into a Scout's pocket or backpack to serve as a temporary record of advancement achievements until they can be recorded in the Scout's handbook.
94-125Boy Scouting: It's Not Just for Youth. This video in Spanish is designed to give parents an orientation on some of the key positions of a troop committee.
Troop Program Features (Spanish)
These three Spanish-language manuals give troop leaders program ideas related to advancement that can help with planning, organizing, and conducting troop meetings. This resource replaces all previous meeting plans for Boy Scout leaders.
94-200Volume 1
94-201Volume 2
94-202Volume 3
 

Youth Protection Materials

These Spanish-language materials are designed to increase child-abuse awareness in the family structure through community organizations.
94-039It Happened to Me. 26:11 minutes.
94-126Youth Protection Guidelines. Video and leader's guide. This is the Spanish-dubbed translation of the full-length Youth Protection Training for Leaders.
46-072Boy Scout Youth Protection Parent Guide (Spanish). Spanish translation of the Youth Protection Parents' Guide found in the Boy Scout Handbook.
46-073Cub Scout Youth Protection Parent Guide (Spanish). Spanish translation of the Youth Protection Parents' Guide found in all Cub Scouting handbooks.
 

Spanish Language Applications

(Must be ordered from Registration.)
28-423BApplication for Youth Membership.
28-502SAdult Application.
 

Materials Available for a Modest Charge

Use the standard Supply Division order form, available at your local council service center. (Prices subject to change.)
33807Strong Values, Strong Leaders: Character Counts. 8.5-by-11-inch flyer. $16.50/500.
33809Strong Values, Strong Leaders: Character Counts. (17-by-22-inch poster. $1.25 each.
AV-07K020Scoutreach Diversity Training Audiocassettes.Diversity training cassette tapes teach unit-serving executives how to market to and work with diverse populations. $11.95.
AV-07V001a Familia De Scouts.This bilingual videotape tells how Scouting is ideally suited to the values and culture of Hispanic Americans. Great for organizing new units, showing to community organizations, and cultivating Hispanic leaders. Released 1988. 6:30 minutes. $14.25.
AV-07V003Hispanic Opportunity.This VHS videotape helps find the common ground that Scouting shares with the Hispanic community and emphasizes the common values and aspirations. Designed to be shown to a professional staff and key volunteers serving the Hispanic community. Released 1988. 5:30 minutes. $14.25.
AV-07V011Hispanic Visions: Beyond the Street.Hispanic community leaders and Scouters present their cases for Scouting in urban areas. For use with prospective chartered organizations at the unit level. Released 1994. 8:55 minutes. $15.95.
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