Founding & Early Days
This Chicago newspaper publisher incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on 8 Feb 1910 after a London Scout guided him through a fog.
Who is William D. Boyce?
Boyce was helped by an “unknown Scout” in London and afterward incorporated the BSA on Feb. 8 1910
Scottish‑born naturalist who led the Woodcraft Indians and served as the first Chief Scout of the BSA in 1910.
Who is Ernest Thompson Seton?
Seton founded the Woodcraft Indians, later became the BSA’s first Chief Scout and wrote many volumes of Scoutcraft
Introduced in 1911, this rank requires earning at least 21 merit badges and is the highest rank in Scouts BSA.
What is Eagle Scout?
Eagle Scout is the highest rank and requires at least 21 merit badges and demonstration of Scout Spirit
President Woodrow Wilson signed the BSA’s congressional charter on this date in 1916, granting the organization federal recognition.
What is June 15, 1916? Wilson signed a unanimously‑approved charter on June 15, 1916, giving the BSA recognition under Title 36
Two‑word motto of the Boy Scouts of America that Baden‑Powell said means being ready “for any old thing.”
What is “Be Prepared”?
Baden‑Powell explained that “Be Prepared” is the Scout motto and means being ready “for any old thing”
Scouting America celebrates its “birthday” on this date because that’s when Boyce filed the incorporation papers.
What is February 8, 1910?
Boyce returned to the U.S. and incorporated the Boy Scouts on Feb. 8 1910
Outdoorsman and illustrator nicknamed “Uncle Dan” who founded the Sons of Daniel Boone and helped design the original Scout uniform.
Who is Daniel Carter Beard?
Beard merged his group into the BSA, designed the first uniform and served as the first national Scout commissioner
Name the seven Scouts BSA ranks in order from lowest to highest
What are Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle?
These seven ranks must be earned in sequence
The first National Scout Jamboree (1937) was held at this U.S. monument, drawing over 27,000 Scouts and leaders.
What is the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.?
The first jamboree in 1937 was at the Washington Monument and attracted 27,232 Scouts and leaders
This slogan reminds Scouts to perform acts of kindness each day and to help others whenever possible.
What is “Do a Good Turn Daily”?
The BSA’s ideals include the Scout slogan “Do a Good Turn Daily”
The anonymous British boy who refused Boyce’s tip and set in motion the founding of the BSA is known by this title.
Who is the Unknown Scout?
A London Scout guided Boyce, refused a tip and identified himself simply as a Boy Scout
Orphaned attorney appointed the first Chief Scout Executive in 1911; he built the BSA into a national organization.
Who is James E. West?
West became the BSA’s first Chief Scout Executive in 1911 and was recognized as the architect of the organization
First youth to earn the Eagle Scout rank (in 1912); he later rescued a drowning Scout and received the Bronze Honor Medal.
Who is Arthur Rose Eldred?
Eldred earned Eagle Scout in 1912, completed 21 merit badges and later saved a fellow Scout from drowning, earning the Bronze Honor Medal
The 2010 National Scout Jamboree, held at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, celebrated which anniversary of the BSA?
What is the 100th (centennial) anniversary?
The 2010 jamboree celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America
According to Scouting America’s ideals, how many points are in the Scout Law?
What is 12?
The Scout Law has twelve points, including being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, cheerful and reveren
Ernest Thompson Seton merged his Woodcraft Indians youth program into the BSA, while Daniel Carter Beard merged this boys’ organization.
What is the Sons of Daniel Boone?
Beard, known as “Uncle Dan,” merged his own boys’ organization—the Sons of Daniel Boone—into the BSA
British army hero and founder of the worldwide Scouting movement who wrote Scouting for Boys and said the motto meant being ready “for any old thing.”
Who is Robert Baden‑Powell?
Baden‑Powell rewrote his manual as Scouting for Boys and explained that “Be Prepared” means readiness “for any old thing”
The first person to walk on the moon earned his Eagle Scout award in Troop 14 in Wapakoneta, Ohio, in 1947.
Who is Neil Armstrong?
Neil Armstrong earned his Eagle Scout award in Wapakoneta, Ohio’s Troop 14 in 1947
On May 7, 2024, the Boy Scouts of America announced it would adopt this new name on Feb. 8, 2025 for the organization’s 115th anniversary.
What is Scouting America?
The BSA announced it would begin doing business as Scouting America, effective Feb. 8 2025
Character, citizenship and personal fitness are three of Scouting America’s four aims; this principle is the fourth aim.
What is leadership?
Scouting America pursues the aims of character, citizenship, personal fitness and leadership
Robert Baden‑Powell rewrote his military manual into this book, published in 1908, which inspired many of America’s early Scouters.
What is Scouting for Boys?
Baden‑Powell adapted his stalking and survival manual into Scouting for Boys
Edgar M. Robinson and this YMCA leader convinced Boyce to let the YMCA develop the BSA program in April 1910 (name either).
Who is Lee F. Hanmer or Edgar M. Robinson?
YMCA leaders Edgar M. Robinson and Lee F. Hanmer persuaded Boyce to hand the nascent BSA program over to the YMCA
To date the only U.S. president who attained Eagle Scout as a youth, he became the 38th president when Richard Nixon resigned.
Who is Gerald Ford?
After Nixon’s resignation, Gerald Ford—an Eagle Scout and Distinguished Eagle Scout—became the 38th U.S. president
Scouting America operates four national high‑adventure bases; Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier and the Summit Bechtel Reserve are three—this nautical base in the Florida Keys is the fourth.
What is Sea Base?
The high‑adventure bases are Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base and the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve
In the Scout Oath, Scouts promise to keep themselves physically strong, mentally awake and this third virtue.
What is morally straight?
The BSA Oath includes the lines “to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight”