Facts About Scouting
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Service
In 2009, service projects were conducted by more than 2.8 million youth members and more than 1.1 million volunteers.
- 36,653,936 service hours were reported in 2009.
- $764,234,566 of service was provided by Scouts and leaders to communities across America. (Based on $20.85 Independent Sector value of volunteer time for 2009)
- Service projects most commonly reported for Good Turn for America in 2009 include:
- Food collection and distribution
- Litter cleanup/community beautification
- Conservation projects
- Serving food at shelters
- Military support/appreciation
Volunteers
1,137,971 volunteers provided leadership for Scouting programs in 2009.
- On average, Scout volunteers give 20 hours per month in service to Scouting. This equals approximately 273,113,040 hours of volunteer time given to support Scouting in 2009. (Source: Volunteer Outcomes Study, Research & Evaluation)
- $5,694,406,884 of volunteer time was given in 2009 to support Scouting across America. (Based on $20.85 Independent Sector value of volunteer time for 2009)
Alumni
- 181 NASA 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 2009, nearly 1.1 million youth attended a council camp or national high-adventure camp.
- Cub Scouts
- 269,804 attended day camp.
- 202,404 attended family camp.
- 96,724 attended long-term resident camp.
- Boy Scouts
- 398,764 attended long-term resident camp.
- 59,175 attended high-adventure camp.
- Venturers
- 4,980 attended long-term camp.
- 7,661 attended high-adventure camp.
- 20,740 attended Venturing activities.
- National high adventure base—Boy Scouts and Venturers
- 21,996—Philmont
- 10,623—Florida Sea Base
- 6,108—Northern Tier
- Other outdoor adventures
- 83,220—COPE
- 132,823—Climbing and Rappelling
Advancements and Awards
- 52,470 youth earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2009. (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)
- 2,096,676 merit badges were earned by Boy Scouts in 2009.
- 117,649,303 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—6,537,232
- Swimming—5,929,179
- Camping—4,364,027
- Cooking—4,122,629
- Citizenship in the Community—3,178,473
(Source: 2009 BSA Local Council Index)