Boy Scouts Of America timeline

Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship is Published

The 1908 edition of Scouting for Boys by Robert Baden-Powell is an extraordinary book that kicked off a movement that has changed the... Read more

Boy Scouts of America Founded

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated February 8, 1910 under the laws of the District of Columbia Thirty-four national representatives... Read more

W.D. Boyce founds the Boy Scouts of America

Boyce was lost on a foggy street in London in 1909 when an unknown Scout came to his aid, guiding him to his destination. The boy then refused... Read more

First Issue of 'Boy's Life' is Published

In 1911, George S. Barton, of Somerville, Massachusetts, founded, and published the first edition of Boys' Life magazine. It was edited by 18-year... Read more

Camp Fire Girls of America is Founded

In 1910, young girls in Thetford, Vermont, watched their brothers, friends, and schoolmates – all Boy Scouts – practice their parts in the... Read more

Sea Scouting Becomes an Official Program of the Boy Scouts of America

Almost from the start of the Scouting program in the US in 1910, the issue of the "older boy problem" arose. The age of Boy Scouts ran from 12 to... Read more

The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is Founded

Girl Scouting in the United States of America began on 12 March 1912 when Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop meeting... Read more

Arthur Rose Eldred Becomes the first Eagle Scout

Eldred completed the required 21 merit badges for Eagle in April of 1912. In the August 1912 issue of Boy’s Life, Eldred was listed in the Honor... Read more

The 'Order of the Arrow' is Founded

The Order of the Arrow is a 'thing of the spirit' rather than of mechanics. Organization, operational procedure, and paraphernalia are necessary in... Read more

Boy Scouts of America is Granted a Congressional Charter

The National Council is the corporate membership of the Boy Scouts of America and is administered by paid professional Scouters and volunteer... Read more

First 'World Scout Jamboree' is Held

Brother Scouts. Differences exist between the peoples of the world in thought and sentiment, just as they do in language and physique. The Jamboree... Read more

First 'Silver Buffalo' Awards Presented

Lieutenant General Sir Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell is a man of 69, with upright carriage and snapping eye, such as become a veteran who... Read more

Cub Scout Program Begins

The national Executive Board heard the Hurt committee Report and approved the Cub program "controlled experiment" as of February 10. They... Read more

Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation is Founded

Mortimer L. Schiff was a member of the Council Executive Board and involved in the purchase of the camp property. He then later served as President... Read more

Philmont Scout Ranch is Founded

Waite Phillips believed in sharing his wealth with people outside his family. In this spirit, he offered 35,857 acres of his ranch to the Boy... Read more

Irving Berlin Assigns Royalties from 'God Bless America' to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America

In 1938, with the rise of Hitler, Berlin, who was Jewish, and a first-generation European immigrant, felt it was time to revive it as a "peace... Read more

The Boy Scouts of America Celebrate their 40th Anniversary with 'Strengthen the Arm of Liberty' Campaign

On May 27, 1950, nearly 1,000 Boy Scouts marched through downtown Cheyenne, Wyo., on their way to the state capitol grounds to dedicate an... Read more

Oscar De La Renta Redesigns the Boy Scout Uniform

The most complete overhaul of the Boy Scout uniform in nearly 60 years occurred in 1980. Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta donated his services... Read more

The Boy Scouts of America Introduce 'Varsity Scouting' Program

As a Varsity Scout I, will: Live by the Scout Oath (Promise), Law, motto, and slogan; Honor the dignity and worth of all persons; Promote the cause... Read more

Boy Scouts of America Founds the 'Venturing' Program

Venturing is part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America for young adults, men and women, from the age of 14 years old or 13 years old and... Read more

The Boy Scouts of America Celebrates its 100th Anniversary

About 45,000 Boy Scouts and their leaders from around the country gathered in Virginia to celebrate Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary, only... Read more