Scouting Celebrations Across the Nation

The BSA centennial is just around the corner. While there are many celebrations at the national BSA level, such as the National Jamboree and National Hall of Leadership, there are plenty of other galas and events being planned separately.

Since the centennial falls on a Monday, many are holding their celebrations the following weekend. The River Trails District in Missouri is holding a “Boy Scouts of America Scout Expo” on Saturday, February 13. The event, which is free, will be held at the Saint Robert Community Center and is open to the public. Activities include a Dutch oven cooking contest, Scouting trivia, and Scouting displays. This event promises to be a lot of fun!

This celebration is a little closer to home. Troop 370 of  Homosassa, Florida will hold their celebration on Monday, February 8, 2010, the same day of the centennial. Their celebration includes an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Christopher Bebow and the unveiling of their memorial plaque. Cake, always a plus, will be available with the special privilege of cutting belonging to the oldest and youngest scouts of the troop.

Some Scouts are cooking to celebrate the centennial. Boy Scout Troop 16 of Parker, Colorado are dedicating their annual Pancake Supper to BSA’s 100th birthday. Pancake Supper is a humble misnomer; Troop 16 dishes out all-you-can-eat pancakes with hash browns, sausage, and a variety of drinks. There’s even a fruit or syrup topping option! As an added benefit, every ticket purchased donates a dollar to the Eagle Scouts.

On January 9, 2010, Cape Fear Council held a council wide day of service. Cape Fear Council of Wilmington, North Carolina encouraged every Scout unit in their area to do community service on that day. Executive Doug Clevinger hopes for several thousand man-hours of service. Units who participated on that day will be recognized at their Council Recognition Banquet in late February. Cape Fear Council also plans to allow Scouts who have their Totin’ Chip cards to assist in the carving of a centennial totem pole!



In a unique collaboration with Boy Scouts of America, Dale Coyne of Dale Coyne Racing is promoting Scouting with a new BSA IndyCar. The car, number 19, will race in the IndyCar Series 2010 scheduled races (that’s 17 in total!). The BSA No. 19 car will help to promote science, technology, and math and commemorate the centennial.

Another unique celebration was located in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Partnered with Fender’s Farm, the Sequoyah Council of Johnson, TN kicked off their year long celebration of the centennial with a 7-acre corn maze. The maze is about two miles of trails with 85 points to decide “Left? or right?” The maze was opened early for Scouts exclusively and then to the public in September of 2009. The maze features a replica of the BSA’s eagle emblem at its center.

There are many other celebrations that are taking place all over the country, the world even! Boy Scouts of America has been here for five generations. Many Scout alumni comment how they believe their lives would be completely different if not for Scouting. This upcoming centennial is worthy of note; what better way than to celebrate? What is your pack/crew/etc doing to celebrate BSA’s 100th Anniversary?