Program areas at Boy Scouts of America - 557 Great Smoky Mountain Council
Activities and camping - activities and camping programs are provided by the Council for the benefit of members and units, and include the provision and upkeep of major camping properties. The Council regularly provides for all types of activities, including long-term (weeklong) camping, weekend camp activities, day and twilight camp, family camp and multi-day resident camp. Activities that focus on human service needs are offered, including: hunger, illiteracy, drug abuse, child abuse training, and crime prevention.
Cub scouting - the Council serves over 3,800 boys and girls in the core program of cub scouting. This includes lions (kindergarten), tigers (1st grade), wolf and bear cub Scouts (2nd and 3rd grade) and webelos (4th and 5th grade). Cub scouting is the foundation for the character and values of programs of scouting. Methods of the program include: the uniform, advancement, adult leadership (training), youth leadership, the den method, and service to others.
Scouts bsa - over 1,500 boys and girls are served in the Scouts bsa program. From the entry level scout through age 18, Scouts bsa is the most recognized facet of Boy Scouts of America. From advancements to camp-outs to eagle Scouts to service projects, this program is all about character, values, education, citizenship, and fitness at all levels.
Scoutreach - scoutreach is a program delivery method that reaches into hard-to-serve areas of our community. Cub scouting and Boy scouting are offered and they are no different from the descriptions above; however their delivery mechanisms and the target market are substantially different. Scoutreach program serves urban pockets and similar areas in rural communities where there may be significant involvement by the government (e.g. Housing projects) in the welfare of the neighborhood and community. In these areas, youth members usually need especially strong leadership (paid staff) and significant additional financial resources and material support in order to be successful.
Venturing - serves young adult boys and girls ages 14-20. Venturing provides experiences to help young people mature and prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Venturing provides the skills needed by young adults to make ethical choices, experience a fun program full of adventure and challenges and aquire leadership experience; to advance their knowledge in many diverse areas such as high adventure, sports, arts, hobbies, and religious life.
Learning for life - this age- and grade-based program utilizes more than 50 award-winning lessons, which are chosen and delivered by teachers. The program is easy to use and it supports community efforts to prepare youth to successfully navigate the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance students' self confidence, motivation, and self-esteem. The teaching modules contain character and value lessons that meet the criteria imposed by the Tennessee character education mandate-t.c.a. 49-6-1007(a).