Boy Scout Information

Were you aware that Boy Scout Alumni include:

63% of Air Force Academy graduates

68% of West Point graduates

70% of Annapolis graduates

72% of Rhodes Scholars

85% of FBI agents

65% of college graduates

65% of US Congress

85% of airline pilots

85% of student council presidents

89% of senior class presidents

71% of football captains

65% of basketball captains

88% of school newspaper editors

77% of editors of school annuals

75% of business managers of school publications

80% of junior class presidents

26 of the first 29 astronauts were Boy Scouts. 11 of the 12 who walked on the moon were Scouts. Of the 321 pilots and scientists selected as astronauts since 1959, more than 180 were Scouts or have been active in Scouting: 40 Eagle Scouts, 25 Life Scouts, 15 Star Scouts, 26 First Class Scouts, 17 Second Class Scouts, 12 Tenderfoot Scouts, three Explorers, 29 Cub Scouts, 11 Webelos Scouts, and 5 with unknown ranks.

Boy Scouts, is an international movement dedicated to developing the character of boys and youths and training them for the responsibilities of adult life. The movement was begun in England in 1907 by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, who based his program on two already existing American organizations: Sons of Daniel Boone, founded by the American illustrator-naturalist Daniel Carter Beard, and Woodcraft Indians, started by the British-born Canadian writer Ernest Thompson Seton.

Scouting exists in more than 140 countries. The international organizations are autonomous but hold membership in the Boy Scouts World Conference, which meets every two years. The Boy Scouts World Bureau in Geneva, Switzerland, serves as secretariat for the movement. International rallies, called jamborees, are held every four years. The 21st World Scout Jamboree is in 2007 and will be held in the United Kingdom.

Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was incorporated in 1910. Each Boy Scout takes the Scout Oath, pledging to keep himself "physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight." The movement is nonsectarian and without military or political connection.

The organization encourages boys to participate in vigorous outdoor activities. Camping is a regular part of the scout program, which also includes conservation, forestry, farm work, and aid in community services. During World War II (1939-1945), for example, the Boy Scouts participated in a variety of civilian activities. The program also stresses the development of skill in woodcraft, swimming, first aid, signaling, and other activities. The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared."

The Boy Scouts of America, with headquarters in Irving, Texas, is administered by a national council, which charters local councils. Local scouting organizations are sponsored by churches, schools, civic groups, and other bodies, which are represented in the local councils.

Boy Scout Programs

The scout movement in the United States is open to boys and youths beginning in the first grade or between 7 and 20 years of age. The movement is divided into four programs: Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing, each designed for a different age level.

Tiger Cubs, BSA, is a one-year program for boys in the first grade or who are seven years of age and their adult partners that stresses equal participation. The boy and adult meet weekly for family activities and monthly for an activity with other Tiger Cubs and adults in their group.

Cub Scouts, or Cubs, are boys of eight through ten years of age, organized into packs and smaller units called dens. The program for Cub Scouts emphasizes activities in and around the boys' homes. By his mastery of certain skills, the Cub Scout may advance from his initial rank of Bobcat through the ranks of Wolf, Bear, and Webelo. The Cub Scout uniform is blue, with a blue and gold neckerchief.

Boy Scouts, aged 11 through 17, are grouped into troops; troops are subdivided into patrols with a maximum of 8 boys. Troops are led by scoutmasters, who must be adult citizens of the United States and who are assisted by Boy Scout leaders. Scoutmasters are chosen by local sponsoring organizations with the approval of the national council. In small organizations that do not have enough boys to constitute a troop, two to eight boys may form a neighborhood patrol. A single boy in a community may become a Lone Cub Scout or Lone Boy Scout and coordinate his activity with larger scout units by mail. The Boy Scout uniform consists of a khaki cap, shirt, scarf, and trousers.

After taking the Boy Scout oath and meeting other qualifications and requirements, a boy becomes a Tenderfoot. After further training and successfully passing a number of tests, he becomes successively a Second-Class, First-Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Scout. Earning Merit Badges is required for advancement to Star, Life and Eagle ranks. Young men, and young women also, in general aged between 14 and 20, may become Venturing Scouts. The Venturing Scout uniform is forest green.

Varsity Scouting is a program for young men who are at least 14 years of age but not yet 18. It provides options for young men who are looking for rugged high adventure or challenging sporting activities and still want to be a part of a Scouting program that offers the advancement and values of the Boy Scouts of America.

Sea Scouts is another branch of the BSA, and is the oldest of these special programs.

Publications and Membership

The Boy Scouts of America publishes handbooks; pamphlets on specific subjects; brochures; a bimonthly magazine for adult leaders, Scouting Magazine; and a monthly magazine for all boys, Boys' Life. U.S. membership at the end of 2004 was over 3.1 million Tiger, Cub, Boy and Venturing Scouts, and over 1.1 million adults involved in scout organizations.