A Year of Celebration A Century of Making a DifferenceProgram Concept:
We want every Scout, adult leader, and Scouting alum to have the chance to be part of our biggest milestone yet—our 1OOth Anniversary Celebration. We want to fire up the passion for Scouting while giving everyone an opportunity to make a difference—and earn recognition. Through A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference, we will do just that. Individuals can earn awards by demonstrating dedication to five of Scouting’s core values—Leadership, Achievement, Community Service, Character, and the Outdoors. Participants can earn one award in each category. The program will be both fun and engaging and, most important, will show America the impact of Scouting through its commitment to these values. A Year of Celebration will be in effect from Sept. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010.
LEADERSHIP
Scouting has a proud tradition of producing great leaders. Self-determination, teamwork, and preparedness are synonymous with Scouts everywhere. For Scouting’s 1OOth Anniversary, let’s celebrate this tradition of developing youth leaders.
The Year of Celebration Leadership Award encourages Scouts to explore and reflect upon the qualities of a good leader. The award recipients will work on leadership skills. The Leadership Award rewards participants for reflecting upon and sharing leadership lessons and skills. Scouts earning this award will look to role models, lead groups, and participate in leadership-building activities. Adults and alumni will build their unit leadership skills by emphasizing membership growth, volunteering, and providing role models.
Complete three of the five requirements in each category to earn that award.
Cub Scouts
- Explain what makes a good leader and give an example of a Scout (past or present) demonstrating those qualities. Ask your parent or den leader what makes a good leader.
- Practice being a leader such as being a denner for one week. Write or tell your parent or den leader about what you did during that week.
- Get a friend to join Cub Scouts.
- Organize the den to set up and take down chairs at the pack meeting.
- With the approval of your den leader, plan and lead a den activity.
Boy Scouts
- Identify someone from your Scouting experience you think is a good leader. Ask them what makes them an effective leader and then talk to your parent or Scoutmaster about what makes a good leader. Write 200 words on the leader you chose and share with your troop leader.
- Teach a Scout a rank requirement and help them to a successful completion.
- Serve in a troop or team leadership position for three months.
- Serve as a youth staff member for a unit, district, or council event or camp.
- Serve as a den chief for a Cub Scout or Webelos den for three months.
Ventures
- While serving in a crew leadership role, plan a crew activity that celebrates the BSA 1OOth Anniversary.
- Help organize, teach, and run a Quest sports day clinic for a Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity team, other crew, or other youth group.
- Serve as a youth staff member for a unit, district, or council event or camp.
- Serve on any of your council’s Leadership Training courses.
- Think of someone from your Scouting experience who deserves recognition for their leadership. Write 200 words on the leader you chose and share with your crew leader.
Adult Leaders
- Help organize a new unit.
- Compile a list of all adult and/or alumni e-mail addresses in your unit, get their permission, and submit the list to your local council Scout service center so Scouting communication can be improved.
- Actively support a unit in at least two activities related to the BSA 1OOth Anniversary.
- Recruit a new adult volunteer, or find a Scouting alumnus, who registers with the BSA.
- Help any registered youth with their Year of Celebration Leadership award.
Alumni
- Register with a unit as an assistant leader or other adult leader. Attend each unit meeting for at least two months.
- Become involved with a district or council as a registered volunteer in support of Scouting.
- Think of a Scouting leader (youth or adult) who made a positive difference in your life. Write a letter to the editor of a local publication about how that individual taught you about leadership.
- Locate and meet with a Scout leader from a pack, troop, team, crew, district, or council. Let them know that you are working on this award. Ask what being a Scout leader means to them and share your thoughts on what you can do to support Scouting in your community.
- Contact your local Scout service center. Arrange to make a donation to support the Scouting principle of youth leadership in your area in some way that is mutually beneficial to you and the local council.
Note: To locate and contact your local council service center, go to the National BSA Web site at https://beascout.scouting.org/. Click on Boy Scout and enter your ZIP code.