Scouting’s reach and presence is everywhere! You might be surprised at just how far and wide:

  • The Silver Buffalo Award for distinguished service to youth has been presented to Charles Lindbergh, Normal Rockwell, Walt Disney, Bob Hope,Hank Aaron, Vince Lombardi, Charles M. Schultz and Neil Armstrong.

  • Of the 294 U.S. astronauts, more than 180 were involved in Scouting, and 40 were Eagle Scouts.

  • In 2004, if every registered member of the Boy Scouts of America were still alive—more than 109 million people—they’d comprise the 11th largest country in the world.

  • Nearly 1.2 million volunteers donate an average of 20 hours per month to BSA, totaling 280 million hours of time during the year.

  • One out of every three of West Point cadets was involved in Boy Scouting as a youth, and 14 percent are Eagle Scouts.

  • Nearly one-third of Air Force Academy cadets were involved in Boy Scouting, and 14 percent are Eagle Scouts.

  • The most often earned merit badges include: First aid, Swimming, Camping, Cooking, and Citizenship in the Community.

  • If the 109,829,417 merit badges earned through the end of 2005 were lined up end-to-end would make a straight line that would stretch from Chicago to Los Angeles— over 2,500 miles.