(Click to Download Printable Fact Sheet)

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).
• 39 are Eagle Scouts.
• 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.
• 22 are Eagle Scouts.

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)