2006: YEAR IN REVIEW
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| The promise of outdoor adventure continues to attract young men to Scouting. |
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| The BSA's high-adventure bases provide young people with the opportunity
to put the values of the Scout Oath and Law into practice. Over 49,000 Scouts
visited these magnificent camps in 2006. |
The Boy Scouts of America is an organization committed to making a difference
in the lives of young people. Through the efforts of almost 1.2 million
dedicated volunteers and the support of religious and community organizations in
communities across the country, the BSA reached millions of youth in 2006 with
its program of citizenship, mental and physical fitness, and character
development.
Our Programs
Cub Scouting. Cub Scouting, for boys in the first through fifth
grades, was serving 1,701,861 Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts on
December 31, 2006. Continued emphasis on providing increased opportunities for
outdoor activities resulted in more than 585,000 Cub Scouts participating in a
day camp, resident camp, or family camp during the year.
Boy Scouting. Membership in Boy Scouting, for 11- to 17-year-olds, was
922,836 on December 31, 2006. The Eagle Scout Award, the highest rank a Scout
can achieve, was earned by a record 51,728 young men. The promise of outdoor
adventure continues to attract young men to the Scouting program. In 2006, 57
percent of all Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts participated in a long-term camping
trip.
Venturing. This high-adventure program for young men and women ages 14
to 20 was serving 244,266 members on December 31, 2006. Sea Scouting, a part of
Venturing, conducted its annual sailing championship, hosted by 1992 America's
Cup winner and National Sea Scout Committee member William I. Koch. Winning
teams from the four regions, plus teams from Australia, New Zealand, and Norway,
enjoyed fun, fellowship, and great sailing together.
High-Adventure Bases. Whether canoeing the boundary waters of
Minnesota at the Charles L. Sommers High Adventure Base, exploring the Florida
Keys at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, hiking the mountains of
northern New Mexico at Philmont Scout Ranch, or route finding across the Double
H Ranch in central New Mexico, the BSA's high-adventure bases provide young
people with the opportunity to put the values of the Scout Oath and Law into
practice. Over 49,000 Scouts visited these magnificent camps in 2006.
Awards
The National Court of Honor presented the prestigious Silver Buffalo Award to
11 distinguished citizens for their exemplary national service to youth. In
2006, recipients of Scouting's highest commendation included W. Todd Bassett,
Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, Douglas H. Dittrick, Bradley E. Haddock, Rabbi
Peter E. Hyman, Alberto A. Mu?oz II, Wayne M. Perry, Dr. Samuel J. Prisk, James
M. Reddinger, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, and R. Ray Wood.
The Honor Medal With Crossed Palms was awarded to six Scouts and Scouters who
demonstrated unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in
saving or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to self. Other awards for
lifesaving and meritorious action were presented to 328 Scouts and Scouters.
The BSA's Young American Awards recognize exceptional achievements of young
people ages 15 to 25. The 2006 recipients were Benjamin Jacob Ulrich Banwart,
Mark Christopher Bicket, Richard B. Birrer, Shreyans C. Parekh, and Phillip D.
Stewart.
Addressing the Needs of the 21st Century
The Boy Scouts of America was founded on the premise that to be a good
citizen you must do for others. For nearly 100 years, Scouts and volunteers have
committed to serving others at all times with sincerity and conviction.
The BSA continues to serve others by addressing the issues of hunger,
inadequate housing, and poor health through the Good Turn for America
initiative.
Celebrating the Past—Preparing for the Future
In 2006, the Boy Scouts of America launched the first year of a new National
Strategic Plan, titled "2010: When Tradition Meets Tomorrow." The special
emphasis for 2006 was on research and included studies on how the organization
can better meet the needs of the next generation of volunteers and parents and
better serve young people in Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and African American
communities.
The Boy Scouts of America is strong and will continue to recruit quality
leadership, adequately fund programs, invite youth from all backgrounds to join,
offer a fun and exciting experience, and help young people become extraordinary
adults who make ethical choices over their lifetimes because of values instilled
in them by the Scout Oath and Law. |