The Merit Badge That Changed My Life: Oceanography
I never earned the Oceanography Merit Badge. But I took an oceanography class in college, and that class—along with the professor who taught it—inspired me to major in geology. Later in life, I came to understand that the oceanography class had made a major difference in my life, and that a good merit badge counselor, like a good professor, can inspire young people and help them explore subjects that may ultimately change their lives. In early 2020, just before COVID, I was asked to serve as a merit badge counselor for my district’s merit badge college. The organizer explained that, in addition to the standard Eagle-required merit badges, they wanted to offer merit badges that Scouts do not often have the opportunity to earn. I agreed to teach the Oceanography Merit Badge.
Scout Leads Survey of Over 1000 Veterans Buried in His Community
Eagle Scout candidate Caleb Karnatsky, alongside Troop 65, digitized the records of 1,013 veterans buried at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Corpus Christi. Thanks to their work, families will now have an easier way to locate and honor loved ones who served our country. For Caleb, this project has a personal connection. His great-great-grandfather, a World War I veteran, is buried in the cemetery, which fueled his passion to ensure these stories and sacrifices are never forgotten.
Welles Crowther to be Posthumously Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
On May 22, 2026, President Donald Trump announced that Welles Crowther, a Scouting alum known as “The Man in the Red Bandana,” would be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Crowther was 24 years old and working on the 104th floor of the South Tower during the September 11 attacks when he repeatedly returned into smoke-filled stairwells to guide others to safety. Survivors later described a young man wearing a red bandana over his face who helped lead them down to safety.
Josh Hart Shares How Being an Eagle Scout Helped Him in Basketball
Before becoming one of the NBA’s most respected team-first players, Hart was also working toward one of scouting’s highest honors: Eagle Scout. As basketball began to demand more of his attention, he seriously considered stepping away from scouting to focus fully on the game.
Joe Tanner Inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
Eagle Scout Joe Tanner has been inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, continuing a remarkable journey shaped by leadership, service, and exploration. Scouting played a major role in the Tanner family legacy. Joe Tanner and his four brothers all earned the rank of Eagle Scout, while their father devoted many years as a dedicated Scouting volunteer. The values learned through Scouting are clearly reflected in Tanner’s extraordinary career and accomplishments.
Service is the Heart of Scouting
One of the ways Scouts fulfill their promise “to help other people at all times” is through meaningful community service projects that bring people together and make a lasting impact. Once again this year, Scouts from Troop 1344 (Girls), sponsored by the Apple Valley Property Owners Association in Howard, joined with several Scouts from Troop 344 (Boys) to complete a major cleanup project at Faith Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Son of Veterans Give Back to Those Who Served
When Vincenzo DiLuna began planning his Eagle Scout service project, he knew he wanted to create something that would have a real impact on his community. That vision led him to Horsemanship 4 Heroes, a nonprofit in Reno, Nevada, dedicated to helping veterans navigate PTSD, anxiety, and depression through equine-assisted therapy and mentorship. After learning the organization needed an obstacle course to help veterans build confidence and trust while riding horses, Vincenzo found the perfect project.
Harris Poll Finds Eagle Scouts Have an Advantage
The results of a new research study, “Eagle Scouts: A Legacy of Values-Based Leadership and Service,” were shared during the 2026 National Annual Meeting. Scouting America partnered with The Harris Poll to survey thousands of adults and study how Eagle Scouts compare to people who have not participated in Scouting. The results of this survey help demonstrate the strong advantage Eagle Scouts gain and provide a powerful message about the value of Scouting to prospective members and donors.
Fellow Attorney David Winterton is Alive Because Alum Matt Johnson Was Prepared at Age 11
Attorney David Winterton was in the middle of cross-examining a witness when he suddenly collapsed to the floor after suffering cardiac arrest. Within seconds, opposing counsel Matt Johnson rushed to his side. Johnson quickly realized Winterton had stopped breathing and had no pulse. Drawing on CPR training he learned as an 11-year-old Scout more than four decades earlier, he immediately began chest compressions, despite never having performed CPR in a real-life emergency.
Triplet Sisters Found Impact and Purpose in Scouting
What starts as a search for belonging can turn into something much bigger. When triplets Janna, Zeina, and Anhar moved to Georgia, they joined Scouting America looking for connection. What they found was leadership, adventure, and a community that quickly felt like home. Through campouts, whitewater rafting trips, and leadership programs like National Youth Leadership Training and National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, they didn’t just participate, they led.