The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.
Facts About Scouting
Service
In 2010, service projects were conducted by more than 2.7 million youth members and more than 1.1 million volunteers.
- 28,335,249 service hours were reported in 2010.
- $605,240,919 of service was provided by Scouts and leaders to communities across America. (Based on the $21.36 Independent Sector value of volunteer time for 2010)
- Service Projects most commonly reported for Journey to Excellence in 2010 include
- Food collection and distribution
- Litter cleanup/community beautification
- Military support/appreciation
- Conservation projects
- National Park Service Resource
Volunteers
1,111,453 volunteers provided leadership for Scouting programs in 2010.
- On average, Scout volunteers give 20 hours per month in service to Scouting. This equals approximately 266,748,720 hours of volunteer time given to support Scouting in 2010. (Source: Volunteer Outcomes Study, Research & Evaluation)
- $5,697,752,659 of volunteer time was given in 2010 to support Scouting across America. (Based on $21.36 Independent Sector value of volunteer time for 2010)
Alumni
- 181 NASA astronauts were involved in Scouting (57.4% of astronauts).
- 39 are Eagle Scouts.
- 35.5 percent of the United States Military Academy (West Point) cadets were involved in Scouting as youth.
- 15.6 percent of cadets are Eagle Scouts.
- 23 percent of United States Air Force Academy cadets were involved in Scouting as youth.
- 12 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.
- 206 members of the 112th Congress participated in Scouting as a youth and/or adult leader.
- 29 are Eagle Scouts.
Scout Activities and Outdoor Adventures
In 2010, nearly 1.1 million youth attended a council camp or national high-adventure camp.
- Cub Scouts
- 271,995 attended day camp.
- 199,762 attended family camp.
- 95,150 attended long-term resident camp.
- Boy Scouts
- 424,235 attended long-term resident camp.
- 61,387 attended high-adventure camp.
- Venturers
- 5,161 attended long-term camp.
- 20,596 attended high-adventure camp.
- 22,577 attended Venturing activities.
- National high adventure base—Boy Scouts and Venturers
- 21,201—Philmont
- 8,971—Florida Sea Base
- 4,428—Northern Tier
- Other outdoor adventures
- 85,896—COPE
- 139,593—Climbing and Rappelling
Advancements and Awards
- 56,176 youth earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2010. (Source: Program Impact Department—Eagle Scout Service)
- From 1912 to 2010 more than 2 million Boy Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout rank. (Source: National Eagle Scout Association)
- Eagle Scout rank is earned by only 5 percent of Boy Scouts each year. (Source: National Eagle Scout Association)
- 2,056,870 merit badges were earned by Boy Scouts in 2010.
- 110,837,443 merit badges have been earned by Boy Scouts since Scouting was established in 1910.
- The most often earned merit badges since 1910 include:
- First Aid—6,626,926
- Swimming—6,008,004
- Camping—4,426,201
- Cooking—4,126,177
- Citizenship in the Community—3,237,364