The purpose of Direct Service is to make the Scouting program available to United States citizens and their dependents living in countries outside the jurisdiction of the Transatlantic Council (headquartered in Germany, serving U.S. Scouts in most of Europe) and the Far East Council (headquartered in Japan, serving several Far East nations).

Administration

Direct Service is administered by the International Division of the Boy Scouts of America. It provides some of the same services that a local council provides—processing registration and magazine subscriptions, maintaining records, approving advancements, processing supply orders, organizing national and world jamboree participation, operating an Order of the Arrow lodge, and providing information and program resources.

Membership

Approximately 2,500 youth members and 1,000 adult leaders belong to Direct Service units or are registered as Lone Scouts in isolated areas of the world. Direct Service members are the children of international businesspeople, diplomatic corps officials, and U.S. military personnel. Direct Service serves 100 Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews in 45 countries on five continents.

Countries

Currently, the following countries have one or more Scouting units registered through Direct Service:

Argentina
Australia
Bangladesh
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Egypt
El Salvador
Ghana
Guatemala
Honduras

Hong Kong
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Israel
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Malaysia
Mauritania
Mexico
Myanmar
Nepal
Nigeria

Panama
Peru
Qatar
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka
Sumatra
Trinidad and Tobago
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Venezuela
Vietnam
Zambia

Program

The meetings and activities of Direct Service units are basically the same as those in the United States. Minor modifications are sometimes necessary because of circumstances that occur when living in another country. These modifications often lead to cooperative efforts between the BSA members and Scouts of other associations who attend joint Scouting activities such as jamborees, rallies, community projects, and other events.

Chartered Organizations

The chartered organizations of Direct Service units include American schools and churches, international schools, multinational corporations, parents' groups, and fraternal organizations.

Order of the Arrow

The Gamenowinink Lodge No. 555 (meaning, in the language of the Lenni Lenape, "On the other side of the Great Sea") is under the supervision and administration of the International Division. The lodge averages 200 members.

Awards

Scouting awards are presented as in any local council, including the Silver Beaver Award and the District Award of Merit. All nominations are reviewed by the BSA Direct Service committee.

Financial Support

Direct Service units organize their own activities to earn money for special programs, equipment, and service projects.

Communications

Communication between the International Division and its Direct Service units is by mail, fax, e-mail, and telephone. Unit leaders receive periodic bulletins containing special information.

Web Site

www.directservicebsa.org