National Fly A Kite Day

Papers of incorporation were filed on February 8th, 1910 in the District of Columbia by William Dickson Boyce, a Chicago publisher. The Boy Scouts of America were born. Boy Scouts have had a profound impact on the United States. Many presidents and other dignitaries have been Boy Scouts. A total of 181 Astronauts have also been part of the Boy Scout program.

Key Dates
Boy Scouts of America incorporated 1910
First Boy Scout Handbook published 1911
Boys’ Life premiered 1911
First Eagle Scout, Arthur R. Eldred 1912
Scouting magazine premiered 1913
Registration of Scouts began, 25¢ annual fee 1913
Order of the Arrow began 1915
Federal charter granted by Congress 1916
First season at what would become Northern Tier High Adventure Base 1923
Boy Scout membership tops 1 million 1925
Cub Scout program began 1930
Philmont donated to the BSA 1938Exploring program began 1959
Florida National High Adventure Sea Base officially opened 1980
Tiger Cubs program added to Cub Scouting 1982
1 millionth Eagle Scout, Alexander M. Holsinger 1982
Learning for Life program began 1991
Venturing program began 1998
100 millionth member registered 2000
2 millionth Eagle Scout, Anthony Thomas 2009

Membership*
Total Cub Scouts 62, 226, 396
Total Boy Scouts/Venturers 52, 077, 933
Total Youth Served 114, 304, 329
Total Adult Volunteers 33, 364, 261
Awards

Total number of merit badges awarded 117, 649, 303

Top 5 merit badges awarded**
First Aid 6, 537, 232
Swimming 5, 929, 179
Camping 4, 364, 027
Cooking 4, 122, 629
Citizenship in the Community 3, 178, 473
Eagle Scout Awards 2, 043, 375
William T. Hornaday Award (since 1914) 3, 799
Honor Medal (since 1923) 2, 234
Honor Medal With Crossed Palms (since 1924) 231
Silver Buffalo Award (since 1926) 686
Medal of Merit (since 1945) 5, 927
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (since 1969) 1, 840
Heroism Award (since 1977) 3, 081
National Certificate of Merit (since 1989) 1, 501

Statistics provided by National Boy Scouts of America –

NATIONAL KITE FLYING DAY

Celebrated annually on February 8th, this “unofficial” National Day is a celebrated by kite flying enthusiasts across the country.