When is National Boy Scouts Day?
February 8th is National Boy Scouts Day.
What is National Boy Scouts Day?
Be prepared. It’s the Scouts’ motto. How prepared? Well, so prepared that you don’t get lost in the woods, but also prepared to do your duty—and maybe become an astronaut or president along the way. National Boy Scouts Day celebrates the Scouting movement that has trained so many American boys to be exemplary citizens.
It began as a club for boys aged 11 to 15. British Lieutenant General Robert S.S. Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scouts movement in 1908 in Great Britain. Baden-Powell was a cavalry officer, and the games and contests he used to train troops filled his book, Scouting for Boys (1908). The movement quickly spread to other countries. The Boy Scouts of America was inaugurated in 1910.
The oath is an important part of Scouting. It’s a promise to follow Scout law, to help others, and to be loyal to one’s country. The overall purpose of the program is to teach good citizenship, chivalry, and the skills of outdoorsmen.
Even folks who never participated in Scouting can use National Boy Scouts Day to honor the program for its work in building our society.
Fun facts about National Boy Scouts Day!
- Presidents John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama were all Boy Scouts in their youth. Gerald Ford was the only Eagle Scout to become president.
- Only 312 astronauts have been chosen since 1959, and 180 of those were Boy Scouts or heavily involved in Boy Scouts.
- Scouting for Boys has sold over 150 million copies since first publication.
- William Dickson Boyce, an entrepreneur and newspaper tycoon, incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910.
How to celebrate National Boy Scouts Day:
- Share your experience with Scouting on social media to promote the programs.
- Volunteer with your local Boy Scouts, even if you never participated before.
What’s the hashtag for National Boy Scouts Day?
Post on social media with #NationalBoyScoutsDay to talk up the value of Scouting.