via NationalDayCalendar:
Since 1910, boys across America have been doing good deeds, learning survival skills and developing moral foundations through the Boy Scout of America. February 8th annually recognizes National Boys Scouts Day.
The Boy Scouts of America has roots in the British Boy Scouts organization which was created in 1908 after the success of the book Scouting for Boys by Robert Baden-Powell.
On a foggy day in London an American newspaperman, William Dickson Boyce, became lost when a Boy Scout came to his assistance. With the boy’s guidance, Boyce arrived at his destination. When Boyce offered payment for the assistance, the Boy Scout refused explaining it was a good deed.
Boyce was inspired to organize similar youth groups into one organization. On February 8, 1910, Boyce filed papers of incorporation, and the Boy Scouts of America was born.
Boy Scouts have had a profound impact on the United States. Many presidents and other dignitaries have been Boy Scouts. A total of 181 Astronauts have also been a part of the Boy Scout program.
Key Dates
- Boy Scouts of America incorporated 1910
- First Boy Scout Handbook published 1911
- Boys’ Life premiered 1911
- First Eagle Scout, Arthur R. Eldred 1912
- Scouting magazine premiered 1913
- Registration of Scouts began, 25¢ annual fee 1913
- Order of the Arrow began 1915
- Federal charter granted by Congress 1916
- First season at what would become Northern Tier High Adventure Base 1923
- Boy Scout membership tops 1 million 1925
- Cub Scout program began 1930
- Philmont donated to the BSA 1938
- First BSA Wood Badge course taught 1948
- First Pinewood Derby® held 1953
- Webelos program added to Cub Scouting 1954
- Exploring program began 1959
- Florida National High Adventure Sea Base officially opened 1980
- Tiger Cubs program added to Cub Scouting 1982
- 1 millionth Eagle Scout, Alexander M. Holsinger 1982
- Learning for Life program began 1991
- Venturing program began 1998
- 100 millionth member registered 2000
- 2 millionth Eagle Scout, Anthony Thomas 2009
Membership*
- Total Cub Scouts 62,226,396
- Total Boy Scouts/Venturers 52,077,933
- Total Youth Served 114,304,329
- Total Adult Volunteers 33,364,261
Awards
Total number of merit badges awarded 117,649,303
Top 5 merit badges awarded**
- First Aid 6,537,232
- Swimming 5,929,179
- Camping 4,364,027
- Cooking 4,122,629
- Citizenship in the Community 3,178,473
Eagle Scout Awards 2,043,375
William T. Hornaday Award (since 1914) 3,799
Honor Medal (since 1923) 2,234
Honor Medal With Crossed Palms (since 1924) 231
Silver Buffalo Award (since 1926) 686
Medal of Merit (since 1945) 5,927
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (since 1969) 1,840
Heroism Award (since 1977) 3,081
National Certificate of Merit (since 1989) 1,501
Statistics provided by National Boy Scouts of America – http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/100_years.aspx
HOW TO OBSERVE
Share the benefits of Boy Scouts and use #NationalBoyScoutsDay to post on social media.
