Chicago publisher William Boyce founded the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910. The new BSA quickly established a national office, developed a temporary handbook, sought out Baden-Powell's endorsement and soon thereafter obtained a Congressional Charter from the US Congress in 1916.
Since its earliest days the Boy Scouts of America have cultivated leadership and good citizenship, a service that has been recognized since its establishment. Boy Scouts have been an integral part of our country ever since.
At the American Legion’s first National Convention in Minneapolis in 1919, the American Legion gave approval and support to the Boy Scout movement. Posts began to sponsor Boy Scout units following the convention, but organized guidance and cooperation did not take place until 1922 when the Boy Scout program was included in the activities of the Americanism Commission.
American Legion chartering of Boy Scout units has steadily increased over the years. On average, Legion Posts have either chartered or sponsored approximately 2,500 scouting units (Cub Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Varsity Teams, and Venturing Crews) nation wide on an annual basis, totaling over 79,000 BSA registered members. This is natural for Legionnaires, who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to help build character and positive traits in our country’s youth. Few other post activities generate more goodwill from the community.
The American Legion Department of Florida with continued cooperation of its American Legion Post’s, are expecting to sustain its existing BSA charters and steadily increase new BSA chartered units annually. During an average year Florida's program will reach 2,500 young scouts and will expend approximately $65,000 through its chartering and sponsorship of BSA programs.
Most American Legion Post homes can accommodate BSA units with a safe, non-alcoholic meeting location on a regular basis or will assist BSA units in finding a suitable area to meet as well as rendezvous points for fund raisers and other community activities.
Today, Legion posts sponsor more than 2,500 Scouting units across the country. This is natural for Legionnaires, who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to help build character and positive traits in our country’s youth. Few other post activities generate more goodwill from the community.
Eagle Scout Scholarship
The Legion annually honors the Eagle Scout of the Year at the national convention. The winner of the competition receives a $10,000 scholarship, and the three runners-up are each awarded $2,500 scholarships.
The Department Boy Scout program encourages chartered American Legion Boy Scout Troops who meet the following eligibility requirements below to submit their Eagle Scouts to pursue the 2010 American Legion Department of Florida Eagle Scout of the Year award.
The nominee must:
Be a registered, active member of a Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team, or Venturing Crew chartered to an American Legion Post, Auxiliary Unit or Sons of the American Legion Squadron.
OR
Be a registered, active member of a duly chartered Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team, or Venturing Crew, and the son or grandson of a Legionnaire or Auxiliary member.
AND
Received the Eagle Scout Award, be an active member of his religious institution and must have received the appropriate religious emblem, demonstrated practical citizenship in church, school, scouting and community, reached his 15th birthday, and be enrolled in high school at the time of selection.
NOTE: Eagle Scouts still in High School who reached their 18th birthday during the nomination year remain eligible if otherwise qualified.
Department Awards:
Winner - $2500.00
First Runner-up - $1500.00
Second Runner-up - $1000.00
Third Runner-up - $500.00
The winner is asked to speak at the Department annual convention in Orlando. Also he is automatically nominated to compete for the American Legion National Eagle Scout of the Year award.
National Awards:
Winner - $10,000.00
Three runner-ups - $2500.00
The entry form for the Eagle of the Year program is posted on the American Legion National website and the Department of Florida website under the Boy Scout Program link.
Another sought after annual event is the American Legion Department of Florida Boy Scout Camporee. This event is open to any American Legion chartered or sponsored Boy Scout Troop within the state of Florida.This sought after activity is an annual event. Current and future locations are under review. Information will be posted on-line in the monthly newsletter, through your District Boy Scout Chairman, and on the Florida BSA Council websites.It is the objective of The American Legion, specifically, the National Americanism Commission, to translate Americanism precepts, principles, and ideals in and understanding and practical manner to the people of this Nation, to include Young America.
The scouting program gives all Legionnaire members the opportunity to touch the lives of the youth of our Nation and to share with them the skills necessary to build a generation of young people ready to serve God and Country.In today's society, young people more than ever before need to know groups like the Boy Scouts stand by basic principles and values, many of which are among Legionnaires' bedrock beliefs.
For more information on the American Legion Department of Florida Boy Scout Program contact either your Department or District Boy Scout Chairman listed below.
List of District Chairmen - CLICK HERE
Hutchinson, Minnesota Teen Named The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year 2011
INDIANAPOLIS (May 4, 2011) - A Hutchinson, Minn., student has been named The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year for 2011. Robert B. Rasmussen, 17, a junior at Hutchinson High School, earned the award and a college scholarship worth $10,000. The award was announced during The American Legion's board of directors meeting here.
The award recognizes Rasmussen’s practical citizenship at school, scouting, and his passion and commitment to community service. Rasmussen’s first Eagle Scout project consisted of planning, building and establishing 32 purple martin habitats throughout his area. Working closely with the city’s parks department to select suitable locations for the habitat homes, he then contacted local businesses for material donations. When all construction was completed, he worked with conservation-area personnel to hang the habitats in area parks.
Rasmussen’s commitment to community service continued with his project of supporting veterans. After soliciting donations from a local cement company, he spent two summers making more than 700, 8-inch by 12-inch concrete markers which were then placed at unmarked veteran graves in the local cemetery. Each included a star-shaped bronze marker and an insert to hold a flag during special veterans events and ceremonies. He continued his support of local veterans’ groups by updating the list of veterans interred in the local cemetery. The project included an alphabetical listing of veterans, a list of veterans for each war and a walking tour of the cemetery, which allows visitors to find where each person is interred. Rasmussen has been an Eagle Scout since 2006.
In December 2010, he was rewarded for his hard work and leadership at his high school by being their nominee for the Minnesota State High School League’s ExCEL Award, which recognizes students for excellence in community, education and leadership. In February 2011, he was honored as one of 24 Minnesota juniors to receive the state award.
As an honor roll student, Rasmussen has been on the high school varsity math team since seventh grade; serves as the student council representative for his class; participates in band and choir; plays as junior varsity quarterback and varsity back-up in football; was a five-year starter and all-conference selection for the varsity wrestling team; has been a five-year varsity player and four time all-conference selection in tennis; and participates in Key Club, Link Crew and the National Honor society.
Rasmussen hopes to enroll at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., to pursue either a psychology or law degree.
The American Legion also awarded a $2,500 scholarship to John William “Reeves” Caldwell of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Bradley William Garr of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Baylor Mackenzie Dickerson of Ashland, Va.
The American Legion has supported scouting since its first national convention in 1919. Legion posts sponsor more than 2,700 scouting units, serving more than 71,500 young people, at a cost of more than $1.7 million.
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