Page 16 - Scouting Museum

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“We didn’t want to just throw ourselves a hundredth birthday party with a cake and fireworks,” said Robert J. Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive. “Instead, this needed to be a celebration that served America—because that’s what the BSA has always done. Whether it’s collecting canned goods for a Scouting for Food drive, or building trails in a national forest, or innumerable other acts of service large and small, our members are committed to doing Good Turns that grow and strengthen every community.”
Building on that idea, the centennial celebration
of the Boy Scouts of America became a year—24 months, actually—in which the BSA focused on giving back while also inviting its alumni to come back and rejoin the adventure. Ultimately, everyone in America and its overseas territories was invited to the party. Anniversary events reached into communities nation- wide with a message of Scouting’s vitality, relevance, and importance in society.
“We celebrated a century of Scouting with one goal in mind: our next hundred years,” said Bob Mersereau, national director of 100th Anniversary projects. “We reminded America of all that Scouting has to offer, while taking intentional steps to make the BSA stronger for our next century.”
Scouting’s celebration was big, exciting, ener- getic, imaginative, and fun. The BSA set out to engage millions who are, were, or could be involved in Scouting. Elements of the celebration were designed to reintroduce Scouting to the next generation of American youth, reaffirming the BSA’s commitment to inspire and prepare America’s future leaders.
Enhancing public awareness of the value of Scouting . . . bringing the program to more young people . . . attracting new volunteers and financial sup- porters: Achieving each of these goals would be the greatest gift the BSA could give to the next generation of Scouts and Scouters. While the 100th Anniversary Celebration honored the rich history of Scouting in America, it also positioned the BSA for its next cen- tury of service and adventure.
Scouting in America: It’s a story that will carry on far into the future.