Chartered organizations of the Boy Scouts of America

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All Boy Scouts of America units are owned and operated by chartered organizations. Of the 103,158 units (Boy Scout troops, Cub Scout packs and Venturing crews) and 3,615,306 youth members in 2010:

Each unit is chartered by a local branch of an organization, not at the national level. The following tables combine all chartering organizations that fall into a religious denomination or national organization.

The following table lists chartered organizations (originally divided into faith-based groups, civic groups, then educational groups) by number of registered youth:

2013 Chartered Organizations associated with the Boy Scouts of America [1]
Name of OrganizationTotal Units% Total UnitsTotal Youth% Total Youth
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3793336.99%43716017.98%
United Methodist Church 1070310.44%34961414.38%
Catholic Church 81317.93%25929710.67%
Parent-teacher groups other than PTAs30763%1262075.19%
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 35203.43%1198794.93%
Lutheran churches37283.64%1114834.59%
Private schools25792.51%918283.78%
Baptist churches35323.44%915263.76%
Groups of citizens26332.57%844973.48%
American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary 24772.42%648642.67%
Lions Clubs International 22002.15%606712.5%
Parent-Teacher Association/Parent Teacher Organization 14731.44%601712.47%
Business and industry25552.49%572662.36%
Episcopal Church (United States) 11801.15%413401.7%
Unnamed community organizations15031.47%411801.69%
Rotary International 12891.26%409961.69%
United Church of Christ 11541.13%361941.49%
VFW, Auxiliary, Cootie 10781.05%306861.26%
Community churches 10090.98%301141.24%
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 10831.06%301131.24%
Fire departments 11561.13%297521.22%
Kiwanis International8570.84%265871.09%
Elks lodges (BPOE) 7940.77%218920.9%
Unnamed churches8020.78%218040.9%
Community centres 8180.8%196610.81%
Boys & Girls Clubs of America 5470.53%166280.68%
Nonprofit agencies5700.56%152860.63%
Church of Christ 4950.48%135590.56%
Athletic booster clubs3530.34%112010.46%
Playgrounds, recreation centers3790.37%95610.39%
Chamber of commerce, business associations3030.3%88920.37%
Homeowner associations 2420.24%87860.36%
Optimist International 2440.24%83000.34%
Masons - Eastern Star 2600.25%80180.33%
Evangelical/independent churches2990.29%77400.32%
YWCA, YMCA 2570.25%73620.3%
Church of God 2070.2%43540.18%
Reformed Church in America 1240.12%39210.16%
Church of the Nazarene 1540.15%38410.16%
Jewish synagogues and centers1460.14%32680.13%
Church of the Brethren 1010.1%26140.11%
Islam, Muslim, Masjid 750.07%22260.09%
African Methodist Episcopal Church 1280.12%20530.08%
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 910.09%20040.08%
The Salvation Army 1010.1%17210.07%
Community of Christ 660.06%17180.07%
Buddhist Churches of America 690.07%16980.07%
Assemblies of God USA 740.07%16200.07%

This table gives more information about which type of units are sponsored by which Chartered Organizations, but is more out of date than total units/total youth table:

BSA traditional Scouting membership as of December 2007 — top 25 chartered organizations
OrganizationPacksCub youthTroopsScout youthCrewsVtr youthTotal unitsTotal youth
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 99591351151872619914180286647336713400729
United Methodist Church 530723275852011259891187967311695368420
Roman Catholic Church 4617189985387897185905101419400297311
Parent-teacher groups other than PTA39111625348742152734086715125192732
Groups of citizens2454850601249242971035201594738129516
Baptist churches 21146929619693381335034674433106576
Lutheran churches 18757168018884683443637104199122224
Presbyterian churches 15316855618935303140835143832125101
Business and industry14324232893117298109613712345973338
Private schools1568468836981517180430458307092512
American Legion 1248457621220230233114130277972915
Lions Clubs International 1288485391224241741901996270274709
Other community organizations922301926801467181416421241661284
Parent-Teacher Associations 177973075330633641971215080382
Community centers 7251752150992682114444144531233
Rotary International 62527061618155701793225142245856
Fire departments 60721636583114992171889140735024
United Church of Christ 5652403965316224119966133741229
Episcopal Church 55124167608172611611666132043094
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 57121648584120381311027128634713
Source: Boy Scouts of America Membership Report [2]

Related Research Articles

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The Scout movement, also known as Scouting or the Scouts, is a voluntary non-political educational movement for young people. Although it requires an oath of allegiance to a nation's political leaders and, in some countries, to a god, it otherwise allows membership without distinction of gender, race or origin in accordance with the principles of its founder, Lord Baden-Powell. The purpose of the Scout Movement is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. During the first half of the twentieth century, the movement grew to encompass three major age groups for boys: Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Rover Scout. In 1910, the Girl Guides was created, encompassing three major age groups for girls: Brownie Guide, Girl Guide and Girl Scout and Ranger Guide. It is one of several worldwide youth organizations.

Boy Scouts of America Scouting organization in the United States

The Boy Scouts of America is the largest scouting organization and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 2.3 million youth participants and about one million adult volunteers. The BSA was founded in 1910, and since then, about 110 million Americans participated in BSA programs at some time in their lives. BSA is part of the international Scout Movement and became a founding member organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922.

Order of the Arrow Boy Scouts of America honor society

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives as elected by their peers. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the assistance of Carroll A. Edson, in 1915 as a means of reinforcing the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. It uses imagery commonly associated with American Indian cultures for its self-invented ceremonies. These ceremonies are usually for recognition of leadership qualities, camping skills, and other scouting ideals as exemplified by their elected peers.

Scout (Scouting)

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The Scout Association Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom

The Scout Association is the largest Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom and is the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origin of Scouting in 1907, the association was formed in 1910 and incorporated in 1912 by a royal charter under its previous name of The Boy Scouts Association.

Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦΩ), commonly known as APO, but also A-Phi-O and A-Phi-Q, is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of over 25,000 students, and over 400,000 alumni members. There are also 250 chapters in the Philippines, one in Australia and one in Canada. The 500,000th member was initiated in the Rho Pi chapter of Alpha Phi Omega at the University of California, San Diego.

Religious emblems programs (Boy Scouts of America)

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The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), one of the largest private youth organizations in the United States, has policies which prohibit those who are not willing to subscribe to the BSA's Declaration of Religious Principle, which is usually interpreted as banning atheists, and, until January 2014, prohibited all "known or avowed homosexuals", from membership in its Scouting program. The ban on adults who are "open or avowed homosexuals" from leadership positions was lifted in July 2015. Prior to these policy changes, BSA had denied or revoked membership status or leadership positions for violation of these foundational principles. The BSA had contended that its policies were essential in its mission to instill in young people the values of the Scout Promise, or Oath, and Scout Law.

Afghanistan Scout Association

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Scouting Nederland National Scout organisation of the Netherlands

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American Scouting overseas

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Scouts de Argentina

Scouts de Argentina is one of the national Scouting associations of Argentina. Scouting was officially founded in Argentina in 1912, shortly after the publication of "Scouting For Boys" in Spanish, which was granted a National Charter in 1917, and was among the charter members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922. Scouts de Argentina has 75,000 members as of 2020.

Scout leader Trained adult leader of a Scout unit

A Scout leader or Scouter generally refers to the trained adult leader of a Scout unit. The terms used vary from country to country, over time, and with the type of unit.

Scouts BSA Main coed program of the Boy Scouts of America for ages 11 to 17

Scouts BSA is the flagship membership level of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 17. It provides youth training in character, citizenship, and mental and personal fitness. Scouts are expected to develop personal religious values, learn the principles of American heritage and government, and acquire skills to become successful adults.

Scouting in the United States is dominated by the 2.7 million-member Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA and other associations that are recognized by one of the international Scouting organizations. There are also a few smaller, independent groups that are considered to be "Scout-like" or otherwise Scouting related.

Commissioner Service

Commissioner Service is the group within the Boy Scouts of America that provides direct service to each Scouting unit. Commissioners are experienced Scouters who help chartered organizations and unit leaders to achieve the aims of Scouting by using the methods of Scouting. They help to ensure that each unit has strong leadership and they encourage training, promote the use of the unit committee and encourage a relationship with the chartering organization.

Religion in Scouting

Religion in Scouting and Guiding is an aspect of the Scout method that has been practiced differently and given different interpretations over the years.

Learning for Life

Learning for Life (LFL) is a United States school and work-site based youth program that is an affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America. It utilizes programs designed for schools and community-based organizations that are designed to prepare youth for the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance their self-confidence, motivation, and self-esteem, and for careers.

The Youth Protection program is a set of standards, guidelines and training developed by the Boy Scouts of America to eliminate opportunities for the abuse of youth members. All adults are required to undergo a criminal background check and to complete a Youth Protection Program training before being registered as BSA leaders and they must be re-certified every 2 years. Venturing Crew leaders will complete the Venturing Leader Youth Protection training. If a Crew is also associated with a Troop, the adult leaders must complete both Youth Protection training and Venturing Leader Youth Protection training. This is a requirement fulfilling the internet recharter process. When properly implemented, the program also helps to protect adult leaders from any accusations of impropriety.

Trail Life USA American scouting organization

Trail Life USA is a faith-based non-aligned Scouting organization, providing youth mentorship and character development to more than 26,000 boys in the United States. The organization was founded in 2013 in response to changes in the membership policy of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to allow the participation of openly gay youth. All charters of Trail Life USA must pledge to follow a "Statement of Faith"; the organization is Trinitarian and Christian. However, youths of all or no religious beliefs are allowed to join, but individual Charter Organizations may limit Troop membership to boys of a certain faith or membership in a certain organization.

References

  1. "Chartered Organizations and the Boy Scouts of America" (PDF). Boy Scouts of America. March 2014.
  2. "Boy Scouts of America Membership Report – 2007" (PDF). P.R.A.Y. January 7, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2008.