Facts About Scouting
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Service
In 2008, service projects were conducted by more than 2.8 million youth members and nearly 1.2 million volunteers.
- 35,194,360 service hours were reported in 2008.
- $712,685,790 of service was provided by Scouts and leaders to communities across America. (Based on $20.25 Independent Sector value of volunteer time for 2008)
- ArrowCorps5, a national Order of the Arrow service project, provided 280,000 hours of service, with an estimated value of $5.6 million, to the U.S. Forest Service. Service was provided in the following locations:
- Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri
- Manti-La Sal National Forest, Utah
- George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Virginia
- Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California
- Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming
- Service projects most commonly reported for Good Turn for America in 2008 include:
- Food collection and distribution
- Litter cleanup/community beautification
- Conservation projects
- Serving food at shelters
- Military support/appreciation
Volunteers
1,165,828 volunteers provided leadership for Scouting programs in 2008.
- On average, Scout volunteers give 20 hours per month in service to Scouting. This equals approximately 279,798,720 hours of volunteer time given to support Scouting in 2008. (Source: Volunteer Outcomes Study, Research & Evaluation)
- $5,665,924,080 of volunteer time was given in 2008 to support Scouting across America. (Based on $20.25 Independent Sector value of volunteer time for 2008)
Alumni
- 179 U.S. astronauts were involved in Scouting (57.4% of astronauts).
- 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.
- 30.5 percent of United States Air Force Academy cadets were involved in Scouting as youth.
- 13.5 percent of cadets are Eagle Scouts.
- 25 percent of United States Naval Academy (Annapolis) midshipmen were involved in Scouting as youth.
- 14 percent of midshipmen are Eagle Scouts.
- 212 members of the 111th Congress participated in Scouting as a youth and/or adult leader.
Scout Activities and Outdoor Adventures
In 2008, more than 1.1 million youth attended a council camp or national high adventure camp.
- Cub Scouts
- 272,553 attended day camp.
- 196,495 attended family camp.
- 97,521 attended long-term resident camp.
- Boy Scouts
- 405,151 attended long-term resident camp.
- 70,815 attended high-adventure camp.
- Venturers
- 8,079 attended long-term camp.
- 11,691 attended high-adventure camp.
- 18,950 attended Venturing activities.
- National high adventure base—Boy Scouts and Venturers
- 23,083—Philmont
- 12,001—Florida Sea Base
- 5,834—Northern Tier
- Other outdoor adventures
- 73,007—COPE
- 125,042—Climbing and Rappelling
Advancements and Awards
- 52,025 youth earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2008. (Source: Program Impact Department—Eagle Scout Service)
- From 1912 to 2009 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)
- 1,913,676 merit badges were earned by Boy Scouts in 2008.
- 115,552,627 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—6,445,898
- Swimming—5,852,372
- Camping—4,301,253
- Cooking—4,098,133
- Citizenship in the Community—3,119,270
(Source: 2008 BSA Local Council Index)