FUN FACTS:

Scouting’s reach and presence is everywhere! You might be surprised at just how far and wide:

• The Silver Buffalo Award for distinguished service to youth has been presented to Charles Lindbergh, Norman Rockwell, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Hank Aaron, Vince Lombardi, Charles M. Schultz and Neil Armstrong.

• Of the 294 U.S. astronauts, more than 180 were involved in Scouting, and 40 were Eagle Scouts.

• In 2004, if every registered member of the Boy Scouts of America were still alive—more than 109 million people—they’d comprise the 11th largest country in the world.

• Nearly 1.2 million volunteers donate an average of 20 hours per month to BSA, totaling 280 million hours of time during the year.

• One out of every three of West Point cadets was involved in Boy Scouting as a youth, and 14 percent are Eagle Scouts.

• Nearly one-third of Air Force Academy cadets were involved in Boy Scouting, and 14 percent are Eagle Scouts.

• The most often earned merit badges include: First aid, Swimming, Camping, Cooking, and Citizenship in the Community.

• If the 109,829,417 merit badges earned through the end of 2005 were lined up end-to-end would make a straight line that would stretch from Chicago to Los Angeles— over 2,500 miles.

• Pinewood derby cars made since 1954 could form a line stretching from Los Angeles to New York and back—a total of more than 5,500 miles.

• If a Boy Scout attends his weekly patrol and troop meeting, participates in a monthly weekend troop outing, and attends a long-term summer camp with his troop, he will have spent as much time with Scouting in a year as he spends in the classroom.