Since 1910, Scouting has helped mold future leaders by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. 

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Scouting helps meet six essential needs of young people:

Mentoring

Scouting provides youth with good role models who can have a powerful impact on their lives. We have a process that screens, selects, and trains the leaders who can provide the attention all young people need to succeed in life.

Lifelong Learning

Scouting provides structured settings where kids can learn new skills and develop habits of continual learning that will help them succeed. Scouting offers a proven program of discovering, sharing, and applying knowledge and skills that last a lifetime.

Faith Traditions

One of the key tenets of Scouting is "duty to God." While Scouting does not define religious belief for its members, it does encourages each young person to begin a spiritual journey through the practice of his or her faith tradition.

Serving Others

Scouting is deeply rooted in the concept of doing for others. "Do a Good Turn Daily" is a core Scouting precept. Scouting encourages young people to recognize the needs of others and take action accordingly.

Healthy Living

Young people need to be well. To get the most from life, one must be both mentally and physically fit. A commitment to physical wellness has been reflected in Scouting's outdoor programs such as hiking, camping, swimming, climbing, and conservation. First aid, lifesaving, and safety programs are synonymous with Scouting. Our programs today include strong drug abuse awareness and prevention programs emphasizing the value of healthy living habits.

Building Character

Few will argue with the importance of teaching values and responsibility to our children - not only right from wrong, but specific, affirmative values such as fairness, courage, honor, and respect for others. Beginning with the Scout Oath and Scout Law, the Boy Scouts of America program is infused with character-building activities that allow youth to apply abstract principles to daily living situations.

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Did You Know ... ?

Scouts account for:

• 26% of the first 29 Astronauts
• 72% of Rhodes Scholars
• 85% of FBI Agents
• 70% of Naval Academy Graduates
• 64% of Air Force Academy Graduates

​For Every 100 Scouts: 

• 2 will become Eagle Scouts.
• 18 will develop a hobby that will last through their adult life.
• 3 will enter a vocation learned through the merit badge system.
• 1 will use their Scouting skills to save the life of another person.
• 1 will use their Scouting skills to save the their own life.

​Famous Alumni of the BSA

2015 Alumni Data

• 181 NASA astronauts were involved in Scouting (57.4 percent of astronauts).
  • 39 are Eagle Scouts.
• 36.4 percent of the United States Military Academy (West Point) cadets were involved in Scouting as youth.
  • 16.3 percent of cadets are Eagle Scouts.
• 22.5 percent of United States Air Force Academy cadets were involved in Scouting as youth.
  • 11.9 percent of cadets are Eagle Scouts.
• 25 percent of United States Naval Academy (Annapolis) midshipmen were involved in Scouting as youth.
  • 11 percent of midshipmen are Eagle Scouts.
• 191 members of the 113th Congress participated in Scouting as a youth and/or adult leader.
  • 28 are Eagle Scouts.
• 18 current U.S. governors participated in Scouting as a youth and/or adult volunteer.
  • Four are Eagle Scouts.
  (Source: Membership figures from each organization)

Continue to "Scouting Builds Character"