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Sometimes the biggest Scouting journeys begin with a challenge we are afraid to face. For Chris Matthewson, that challenge was the water. As a young Scout, Chris struggled with swimming. Deep water brought fear and anxiety, and the thought of earning the Swimming Merit Badge felt overwhelming. While others jumped in, Chris held onto the wall and wondered if he could overcome that fear.
As the National Jewish Committee on Scouting marks its 100th anniversary, longtime Scouter Mark Kaye is helping tell that story through an extraordinary collection of Jewish Scouting memorabilia. After decades of collecting, he has loaned 350 artifacts to a special exhibit at the Ten Mile River Scout Museum in New York, showcasing the rich connection between Jewish values and Scouting.
For Eagle Scout Drew Neill, it all began with an article he read in the eighth grade titled "Authentic Down to Their Underwear." The article described Civil War reenactors who wore the same clothes, ate the same food, and listened to the same music that had been popular more than a hundred years earlier. The idea of reenacting, or "living history," fascinated him, and he eventually dedicated both his personal and professional life to it.
From Cub Scout to NHRA champion, alum Antron Brown knows that success is built one lesson, one challenge, and one opportunity at a time. Fresh off his victory in Bristol, Tennessee, four-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown is showing the next generation that the values learned through Scouting, including leadership, perseverance, teamwork, and determination, can help drive success both on and off the track. Scouting America is proud to partner with AB Motorsports, led by Antron Brown, to inspire young people through the excitement of NHRA drag racing.
Scouting America today announced a new five-year partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aimed at advancing the development of America’s next generation STEM workforce through immersive, hands-on educational experiences. This collaboration will connect young people across the country with real-world learning opportunities centered on space exploration, aeronautics, and STEM: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
National Internet Safety Month is observed each June to raise awareness about online risks and promote responsible digital citizenship among youth, parents, and communities. Scouting America is proud to support this important effort through its partnership with Know2Protect, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's national public awareness campaign focused on preventing and combating online child exploitation and abuse.
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.
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.
Last year, I asked my friend Stephen Deatherage to launch a series called “The Merit Badge That Changed My Life.” Stephen is an exceptional storyteller, and the response to his first four pieces has been incredible. It’s a powerful reminder of how lasting the impact of a single merit badge experience can be, and there’s more great content on the way. Serving as a merit badge counselor is one of the most meaningful ways for Scouting alums to give back. When you share something you genuinely enjoy, whether it’s a hobby, a skill, or your profession, you create an experience that stays with a young person long after the badge is earned.
Scouting America leaders and youth recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for the annual Report to the Nation, meeting with members of Congress and national leaders to share the impact of Scouting across the country. Through firsthand stories of service, leadership, and community engagement, Scouts highlighted how the program prepares young people to make ethical decisions and become active, informed citizens.
