Boy Scouts Day

February 8th annually recognizes National Boys Scouts Day. Since 1910, boys across America have been doing good deeds, learning survival skills, and developing moral foundations through the Boy Scout of America.

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.

Timeline

Boy Scouts of America incorporated in 1910
First Boy Scout Handbook published in 1911
Boys’ Life premiered in 1911
First Eagle Scout, Arthur R. Eldred in 1912
Scouting magazine premiered in 1913
Registration of Scouts began, 25¢ annual fee was 1913
Order of the Arrow began in 1915
Federal charter granted by Congress in 1916
The first season at what would become Northern Tier High Adventure Base started in 1923
Boy Scout membership tops 1 million in 1925
Cub Scout program began in 1930
Philmont donated to the BSA in 1938
First BSA Wood Badge course taught in 1948
First Pinewood Derby® held in 1953
Webelos program added to Cub Scouting in 1954
Exploring program began in 1959
Florida National High Adventure Sea Base officially opened in 1980
Tiger Cubs program added to Cub Scouting in 1982
Alexander M Holsinger became the 1 millionth Eagle Scout in 1982
Learning for Life program began in 1991
Venturing program began in 1998
100 millionth member registered in 2000
Anthony Thomas became the 2 millionth Eagle Scout in 2009