Boy Scouts

Guide Note:The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded in 1910 as part of the Scout Movement that had been founded in England by Robert Baden-Powell. It is currently the largest youth organization in the United States. The organization is primarily run by volunteers, although there are central employees to coordinate and organize the group's affairs. The BSA's stated objectives are to develop "character, citizenship, and personal fitness". It received a federal charter in 1916, which explicitly states the organization’s purpose is to "promote, through organization, and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in scoutcraft(sic), and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods that were in common use by boy scouts on June 15, 1916." Achievements are recognized by ranks, badges, and other special awards as a boy progresses from a Tiger Cub to Eagle Scout. The BSA has come under fire for its policies that prohibit membership by atheists, agnostics, and "known or avowed" homosexuals. The courts have repeatedly held that the Scouts are a private organization, which can limit membership as it pleases, but there has recently been an upsurge in litigation concerning their right to utilize public buildings and public lands for their programs.

Fast Facts:

1. Founded: February 8, 1910
2. Founders: William D. Boyce, Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard
3. Headquarters: Irving, Texas
4. Chief Scout Executive: Robert J. Mazzuca
5. President: Rick Cronk
6. 2005 Revenue: $665.9 million, 12th largest non-profit organization in the US
7. 2006 Membership: 4,619,730 youth, 1,190,992 adults
8. Levels:
   • Cub Scouting, ages 7-10
   • Boy Scouting, ages 14-17
   • Venturing, ages 14-21

Scout Oath:

• "On my honor I will do my best
• To do my duty to God and my country
• and to obey the Scout Law
• To help other people at all times
• To keep myself physically strong,
• mentally awake, and morally straight."