104 Years of Instilling Genuine Leadership Skills in the Youth of America

While walking the misty streets of London in 1909, an American businessman lost his way. A boy offered to guide him to his destination, wanting nothing in return simply because he was a Scout.  Eager to learn more, he asked the boy, “What is a scout?” The boy responded, “A scout is a boy who wants to serve his fellow members of the community.” Bringing this idea back home, this American businessman brought Scouting to America. That businessman was … William Boyce, forming the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910. 

One hundred and four years later, their mission continues to instill genuine leadership in the future leaders of America by preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by implementing the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Each February 8th is an opportunity for troops to look back on their year in Scouting. To help celebrate their birthday, we’ve asked the Northern New Jersey Council, Boy Scouts of America and Friends of Pequannock Troop #79 to share their accomplishments. Here are some of their most valued undertakings:

Northern New Jersey Council, Boy Scouts of America:

303 Eagle Scouts, 50,000 hours of community service, and a 22% increase in Cub Scout recruitment are just three of the great accomplishments of the Northern New Jersey Council (NNJC), Boy Scouts of America. The NNJC serves 13,000 youths in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic County. The Scouting program is clearly alive and growing in Northern New Jersey!

Scouting in Action:

In 2013 the NNJC celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of 303 Eagle Scouts. Each Eagle Scout must achieve 21 merit badges and demonstrate leadership through a community service program. Christopher Fong from Troop 184 in River Edge was chosen amongst the 303 Eagle Scouts as the Project of the Year. Chris worked with the Rotary Club of Bergen Community College and 72 other volunteers that went door-to-door to 3,200 homes in River Edge to collect school supplies for a school in need. Chris’s project benefited over 700 students in the Dominican Republic and due to his leadership his project was also able to benefit 3 other schools in need within Northern New Jersey. At our Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner Chris proudly stated, “The most important thing that Scouting has taught me is a way of life. To be a scout is to observe the Scout Law in everyday life. It has helped me to be the best person I can be.”

Youth Development and Character Building:

Intellectual values, cultural values, ethical values - these and others regularly accompany the task of leadership training. National Youth Leadership Training, NNJC's premier leadership training course, is an intensive week-long youth training program designed to provide a meaningful and inspiring outdoor leadership experience for course participants. Their vision is to develop confident and competent youth leaders, who will create real value in the lives of individuals, scout units, and communities across NNJC.

The Outdoor Experience:

The NNJC offers five different outdoor experiences right in its own backyard. These camps are all open year round and each offer a Nationally Accredited summer camp experience to scouts in the area. In 2013, the NNJC was represented by 256 scouts to the National Jamboree, which was the first Jamboree that had a co-ed Venturing Crew component.

Each day there is a scout growing, learning, and leading in your community. A case study from Baylor University states that Eagle Scouts vs. non Scouts are 76% likely to hold leadership roles with in the community, 55% likely to hold a leadership position in the workplace, and 66% likely to volunteer time to a religious organization.

Friends of Pequannock Troop #79:

Troop #79 is one of the original troops in New Jersey. Troop 79 had a rebirth in 2005 after a hiatus of 16 years and has had the honor of celebrating 6 Eagle Scouts since 2005 in their troop alone.  

Troop #79 executes community service projects like food collections for local food banks, as well as cleanups. In a recent food collection, scouts collected over 2,120 bags of food. They also took a trip to Gettysburg and participated at Beach Jam in Wildwood, NJ.