The Housatonic Council in Derby, CT is pleased to announce the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) 100th Anniversary on February 8th.
Scouting’s purpose is to build character and integrity of America’s youth and prepare them to become responsible adults: adults who are leaders and adults who participate in society according to Scouting’s Oath and Law.
In 1909, a Chicago publisher named William Boyce got lost in a London fog. A young boy helped him find his way, but would not take the shilling Boyce offered.
The youth said that Scouts don’t take payment for ​“doing a good turn”.
Boyce returned to America and with the help of Ernest Seton, James West and Daniel Beard the BSA was founded.
Ten years later Scouting was established here in the Valley with the formation of Cub Pack 3.
Today the Housatonic Council services over 1800 youth in the communities of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton offering programs for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts.
For 100 years the BSA has created a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for millions of youth.
The youth of the Housatonic Council with support of its leaders, parents and Scouters continue to support our community with food drives, trail clean-ups, Scout Sunday and a wide variety of service projects through the efforts of our Eagle Scouts.
In celebration of BSA​’s 100th Anniversary our Council has or will participate in the following events:
- The 2009 Derby-Shelton parade where over 500 Scouts, Scouters and parents marched in one continuous ​“Scouting Line”
- A visit of BSA​’s ​“A Century of Values” tour bus in June 2009. Fourteen teams rotated driving a 32’ colorfully decorated motor home 45,000 miles across America to spread the message about Scouting celebrations.
- incorporated Scouting’s timeline and key methods into our summer camp program
- interred two dozen Time Capsules at Camp Strang in Goshen, CT by Scouting units participating in our Fall 2009 Camp-O-Ree. These time capsules will be opened in 2020 during the 100th anniversary of the Housatonic Council.
- The Council is planning a tree planting event this spring.
- In support of our Scouts and leaders that will be participating in Scouting’s National Jamboree this July 26th – August 4th at Fort A.P Hill, VA, we will view BSA​’s ​“A Shinning Light Across America” broadcast from the Jamboree on Saturday, July 31st. For the first time in BSA​’s history, we will bring the entire Scouting community together for a single nationwide event to celebrate our organization and reflect on what it has meant to millions of America’s youth.
BSA celebrates this legacy as it reaffirms its commitment to inspire and prepare future generations of leaders.
Scouting has brought families and communities together for 100 years to prepare America’s youth to live, work and play with character and integrity.
Scouting is as vital and relevant today as it was when our journey began.
