Scouting History

a brief of history

The First Boy Scout Was a British Baron

In 1908, Baden-Powell published Scouting for Boys, which focused on skills of the outdoors; Boy Scout troops began popping up across the U.K. The United States' version, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), was formally established on February 8, 1910.

Cub Scouts Get Their Names from The Jungle Book

In 1914, Baden-Powell announced a junior section of the Boy Scouts for youths aged 8 to 10. He asked his friend, author Rudyard Kipling, if they might adopt part of the framework of the 1894 classic The Jungle Book.

Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded on February 8, 1910

Background and Founding:

The organization was inspired by the international Scouting movement, which began in 1907 in England under the leadership of Robert Baden-Powell.

William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher, is credited with founding the BSA. He was inspired by a helpful Scout during a trip to London, often referred to as the story of the "Unknown Scout."

Boyce worked with other leaders, including Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, and James E. West, to adapt the Scouting program for American youth.

Since its founding, the BSA has played a significant role in shaping youth development through outdoor activities, leadership opportunities, and community service. The date, February 8, is celebrated annually as Scout Sunday or Scout Anniversary Day.

All but Four Countries Have Scouting Programs

The American program is the second-largest in the world, with the national organization claiming over 2.4 million members.

Five U.S. Presidents Have Been Scouts

Presidents John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama were Scouts in their youth

Norman Rockwell Frequently Painted for the Scouts

Rockwell, master of iconic, idyllic Americana, had a 64-year-long relationship with the BSA. He was appointed art editor of Boys' Life magazine at age 19.

Twelve people have walked on the moon – Eleven Were Scouts

Eagle Scout Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, actually radioed into a Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree on his way to the moon in 1969: "Hello to all my fellow Scouts at Farragut State Park in Idaho…Apollo 11 would like to send them best wishes."

Johnson City Pack 37 was founded November 1952

In 1952 the 20 millionth Scout was registered with the BSA, by the year 2000, that number reached 100 million.

Pack 37 experienced a gap from 1974 to 2000, we have 45 years tenure.

Boy Scouts of America go coed! Girls are Awesome!

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) began its transition to include girls in its programs in 2017, with full implementation starting in 2018. This change was driven by the BSA's recognition of shifting family dynamics and a desire to provide Scouting opportunities for the entire family.

Key Milestones in the Move to Coed Scouting:

2017 Announcement: The BSA announced its plan to welcome girls into the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts programs.
2018 Cub Scouts Integration: In January 2018, girls were officially allowed to join Cub Scout packs, with the option for packs to remain all-boy or include girls in single-gender dens.
2019 Scouts BSA Launch: In February 2019, the BSA renamed its flagship Boy Scouts program to **Scouts BSA**, allowing girls to fully participate in the program and work toward earning the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.

Why Did the BSA Go Coed?

Family Convenience: Many families expressed interest in having all their children, regardless of gender, participate in the same values-driven program.
Inclusivity: The BSA sought to provide the same opportunities for leadership, skill development, and outdoor adventure to girls as it had for boys.
Declining Membership: The BSA faced declining enrollment in the years prior and saw coed Scouting as a way to increase participation.
Meeting Demand: Surveys conducted by the BSA showed that many parents wanted a program like Scouting for their daughters, in addition to what was already offered for their sons.
This decision was controversial, with some members supporting the inclusive approach, while others felt it was a departure from tradition. Nonetheless, the move has enabled thousands of girls to experience Scouting and achieve milestones like becoming Eagle Scouts.

"Boys Scouts of America" name changes to "Scouting America"

The change was made to reflect the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcoming every youth in America to experience the benefits of Scouting.

Scouting America is the reflection of years of work to create an organization where we prepare every youth in America to lead a life of purpose and impact. Our new name is representative of the path we want Scouting to chart for the next century. Our organization welcomes all youth. Scouting is an environment where everyone should feel respected and valued.