The Boy Scouts of America (the BSA) is the largest Scouting organization in the United States of America and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with millions of active youth participants and adult volunteers. The BSA was founded in 1910, and since then, more than 110 million Americans have been participants in BSA programs at some time. The BSA is part of the international Scout Movement and became a founding member organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922.
The BSA’s goal is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations. Our programs instill Scouting values such as trustworthiness, good citizenship, and leadership. These programs traditionally utilize a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking… although Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Exploring each respectively also incorporate STEM learning and career discovery activities or competitions. Our traditional outdoor activities are further supported by the Boy Scouts of America’s four high-adventure bases: Northern Tier (Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario), Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico), Sea Base (Florida), and Summit Bechtel Reserve (West Virginia).
BSA serves youth through the following programs:
- Cub Scouting for boys and girls in grades K-5
- Scouts BSA for boys and girls ages 11 to 18 (though in separate troops)
- Venturing, Sea Scouting, and Exploring for young men and women ages 14 (or 13 and having completed the 8th grade) to 20
Learning for Life is a non-traditional subsidiary that partners with local school districts to provide in-school and career education.
The BSA operates traditional Scouting by chartering local organizations, such as churches, clubs, civic associations, or educational organization, to implement the Scouting program for youth within their communities. Units are led entirely by volunteers appointed by the chartering organization, who are supported by local councils using both paid professional Scouters and volunteers.
