Service

In 2011, service projects were conducted by more than 2.7 million youth members and more than one million volunteers.

• 11,963,746 service hours were reported in 2011 for Journey to Excellence.
• $206,690,025 of service was provided by Scouts and leaders to communities across America. (Based on the $21.79 Independent Sector value of volunteer time for 2011)
• Service projects most commonly reported for Journey to Excellence in 2011 include
  • Food collection and distribution
  • Litter cleanup/community beautification
  • Conservation projects
  • Military support/appreciation
  • Serving food

Scout Activities and Outdoor Adventures

Nearly 1.1 million youth attended a council camp or national high-adventure camp.

• National high adventure base—Boy Scouts and Venturers
  • 29,090—Philmont
  • 12,680—Florida Sea Base
  • 7,949—Northern Tier
• Other outdoor adventures
  • 88,584—COPE
  • 151,774—Climbing and Rappelling

Advancements and Awards

• 51,473 youth earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2011.
• From 1912 to 2011 more than 2 million Boy Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout rank.
• Eagle Scout rank is earned by only 5 percent of Boy Scouts each year.
• 2,164,366 merit badges were earned by Boy Scouts in 2011.
  • 113,001,809 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—6,721,194
    • Swimming—6,088,942
    • Camping—4,488,693
    • Cooking—4,170,166
    • Citizenship in the Community—3,295,149

(Source: 2011 BSA Local Council Index)

Volunteers

1,074,775 volunteers provided leadership for Scouting programs in 2011.

• On average, Scout volunteers give 20 hours per month in service to Scouting. This equals approximately 257,946,000 hours of volunteer time given to support Scouting in 2011. (Source: Volunteer Outcomes Study, Research & Program Innovation)
• $5,620,643,340 of volunteer time was given in 2011 to support Scouting across America. (Based on $21.79 Independent Sector value of volunteer time for 2011)

Alumni

• 181 NASA astronauts were involved in Scouting (57.4% of astronauts). 39 are Eagle Scouts.
• 35.4 percent of the United States Military Academy (West Point) cadets were involved in Scouting as youth. 14.7 percent of cadets are Eagle Scouts.
• 23 percent of United States Air Force Academy cadets were involved in Scouting as youth. 12 percent of cadets are Eagle Scouts.
• 25 percent of United States Naval Academy (Annapolis) midshipmen were involved in Scouting as youth. 11 percent of midshipmen are Eagle Scouts.
• 206 members of the 112th Congress participated in Scouting as a youth and/or adult leader. 29 are Eagle Scouts.
• 15 current U.S. governors participated in Scouting as a youth and/or adult volunteer. Four are Eagle Scouts.

(Source: 2010 BSA Local Council Index)