A Shared Tradition of Service

For 100 years, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has been teaching leadership, service, and citizenship to America’s youth. We work to instill in them an appreciation for what others have done—and continue to do—to defend our freedom.

That’s why when the U.S. Postal Service commissioned the 2010 Celebrate Scouting stamp, we developed a program to put it to use. Scouts have already begun to send letters and packages to veterans and soldiers stationed abroad. It is our way of saying thank you for the incredible service, and sacrifice, of our military men and women.

This is just one of many programs where Scouts and servicemen and women work together. The BSA Transatlantic Council—headquartered at Camp Darbo in Livorno, Italy—serves 5,500 military youth annually on nearly every European base. It is the largest youth organization overseas serving military families.

The 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York has served as a major partner towards helping start a Scout group for children with special disabilities, including autism. The group meets on base and some of the personnel help out as volunteers for this unique group of Scouts.

All three service academies—the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and the Air Force Academy—have students staff Philmont Scout Ranch each summer. Depending on the school, this participation can count as college credit or as part of a leadership class.

Further cementing our strong relationship are the Scouts themselves. For his Eagle Scout project, San Antonio-based Scout Anthony Trevino chose to support the military men and women at Lackland Air Force Base. This video shows how one Scout is making a difference by giving those deployed overseas a piece of home.

Service is a cornerstone of both the military and the Scouting experience. It is how leaders are made, communities are strengthened, and fundamental American values are passed from one generation to the next. Thank you for all that you do to support Scouting in your communities.

If you are not currently involved in Scouting, but would like to join the adventure, reconnect at http://www.bsaalumni.org/. Our alumni and friends program is open to everyone from Eagle Scouts to those who left after Webelo, but still value the program. It is also open to family members, volunteers, and community supporters of Scouting.