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Scouting America is doubling down on volunteer support to drive membership growth. Sean Magennis, EVP of Membership Engagement at Scouting America, is leading a strategy aimed at reaching 2 million members in the next decade by focusing on both retention and recruitment. The approach centers on the EDGE method, which stands for explain, demonstrate, guide, enable. The goal is to help volunteers learn, lead, and mentor with confidence.

What happens when teenagers trade their smartphones for sails, sea breeze, and responsibility for an entire week? A recent Sea Scout sailing trek in the Florida Keys offered a powerful reminder of what happens when young people disconnect from screens and reconnect with the world around them.

A unique hobby is turning into a hands-on history lesson for one Ohio freshman. Ben Beers, a 14-year-old freshman at Canfield High School, recently joined Venturing Crew 1944, a Scouting America program focused on World War II history. The group meets monthly at the MAPS Air Museum at the Akron-Canton Airport, immersing members in authentic living history.

A young Scout in Las Vegas is being honored with the Scouting Medal of Merit after his quick thinking helped save his father during a medical emergency. Just over a year ago, nine-year-old Greyson and his younger brother were waiting for their father, Jared, to take them to school when Jared suddenly suffered an epileptic seizure. The boys had never witnessed a seizure before..

Scouting alumnus Tim Willis offers a clear example of growth, perseverance, achievement, and service. Blind by age 10 due to Coats disease, Willis competed in cross country and track using a simple tether system with a guide runner. He wrestled in high school, ran in college, and became the first blind athlete to compete in NCAA Division I cross country at Georgia Southern University. An Eagle Scout, he approached athletics with the same emphasis on preparation, teamwork, and self-reliance familiar to many in Scouting.

Congratulations to retired Navy Captain Royce Williams, an Eagle Scout and naval aviator, who received the Medal of Honor last night during the State of the Union address in recognition of his extraordinary heroism during the Korean War. In a 1952 air battle, Williams shot down four Russian MiG-15s in a 35-minute dogfight, an achievement unmatched at the time and still rare in the jet age.

As Southern New England dug out from this week’s blizzard, Scouts stepped up. In Cranston and across the region, the Narragansett Council of Scouting America launched “Operation Blizzard 2026,” challenging Scouts to grab their shovels and serve neighbors in need. The response exceeded all expectations. To earn the Operation Blizzard 2026 patch, Scouts assisted elderly and disabled residents by clearing walkways and removing snow from fire hydrants to support first responders.

On January 21, 2026, 21 Scouting alumni gathered in Flagstaff to reconnect, share stories, and welcome one another back to the campfire. The group reflected the full spectrum of Scouting’s impact. Three Eagle Scouts from Illinois met for the first time and bonded over Midwest memories.

At its best, Scouting prepares young people not only to lead, but to care deeply for others. That commitment is on full display in the work of Piper Jackson, a sophomore at Troy High School who recently completed an Eagle Scout project focused on mental health awareness and support.

A freshman at Perrysburg High School in Ohio is proving that leadership has no age limit. Fourteen-year-old Caleb Blaine, working toward his Eagle Scout rank, has launched the Present Pantry at Mercy College of Ohio to support students who are also parents. Caleb recognized that while the college already offered a food pantry, another need remained unmet. Some students are balancing coursework, jobs, and raising children.

Fifty-five years of service. Let that sink in. Bill Hicks, a proud member of the Piedmont Council of Scouting America, was recently recognized for 55 years of dedicated Scouting leadership in Iredell County. Serving the Mt. Mourne community, Bill has impacted more than 1,500 Scouts. From leading the Pack at Fairview United Methodist Church to supporting countless Camporees, he has helped shape generations of young people.

As Camp Horseshoe approaches its 100th anniversary, a race against time is underway to preserve nearly a century of Scouting history. Sixty-seven down, 30 to go. Scouting America historians Andrew Coe and Steve Miller are working to collect every staff list from the 97 seasons of Camp Horseshoe in Rising Sun, Maryland, ahead of its centennial in 2027. So far, they have recovered 67.