100 YEARS OF SCOUTING IN THE LDS CHURCH—A TIMELINE

Young Men are organized at the direction of Brigham Young by Junius F. Wells on June 10, called “Young Men‟s Mutual Improvement

Association.”

Contributor magazine becomes voice of new

Y.M.M.I.A, 1876.

Improvement Era replaces Contributor as

voice of Y.M.M.I.A.

Robert Baden-Powell writes Aids to Scouting to train his soldiers of the 5th Dragoons to become more self-reliant.

First Utah Scout unit is formed by Thomas G. Wood in the Salt Lake City Waterloo

Ward on Oct. 12, 1910.

Scouting for Boys, Part I of VI, hits the newsstands in January and is an instant success. Scout units

form around the world.

Brownsea Island is site of first Scout camp. Baden-Powell asked to rewrite Aids to Scouting with boys in mind and

tests theories August 1-8.

M.I.A. Scouts formed by the LDS Church on Nov. 29, following the format and activities found in Scout

books of the day.

William D. Boyce, incorporates the Boy Scouts of America on Feb. 8, thanks to a good turn from an unknown

English Scout.

Local councils created. Ogden and Salt Lake Councils are formed in 1919, and Utah County Council in 1921. Salt Lake Council‟s first Scout

Executive is Oscar Kirkham.

1875 1897 1899

LDS church joins Boy Scouts of America on May 21, 1913 as BSA‟s first Chartered Organization, setting the pattern for other organizations to sponsor

Scout groups.

1907 1908 1910 1911

John H. Taylor becomes the first LDS Scout Commissioner, serving all LDS units in the Western U.S.

War Service. Scouts perform many „good turns‟ such as planting war gardens and selling Liberty Bonds

and Thrift Stamps.

1913 1916 1917 1919Congressional Charter granted to the Boy Scouts of America

on June 15.

M.I.A. celebrates 25 years of youth programs on June 25. Special editions of the Improvement Era in

June & July.

In 1928, LDS Church names Scouting as the activity program for Deacons and teachers

(boys ages 12-16)

Vanguard Program is organized by the church for boys ages 15-16 to meet needs of older boys. The program gains National

BSA approval.

BSA is divided into twelve regions. Region 12 includes Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California.

1930 1935 1938100th Anniversary of Church founding is celebrated with a new song for youth, “Carry On”. It becomes

M.I.A.‟s theme song.

Celebration of BSA‟s Silver Jubilee (25 years of Scouting) in February. To date, there are 25,000 registered LDS Scouts and Vanguards in 22

countries.

7000 Vanguards became Explorer Scouts in June, 1935, as they merge with BSA‟s new program, based on the LDS

Vanguard program.

25 years of Scouting in the Church is celebrated June 10-12 with many events, including a huge Cavalcade of Scouting with 5000 boys

attending.

Explorer units now called POSTS. There is a new green uniform and Ranger

Advancement Program.

WW2, 1941-45, brings much hardship, but also allows for many good turns. 18- year-old young men are drafted, so Explorer Scouts are now

young men ages 15-17.

Deseret Recognition award created for Explorer Scouts in the

Senior Scout Program.

Scouting entry age drops to 11 years old. All boys 14 and older are now EXPLORERS.

BSA issues the first CUBBING Charters in 1930. Cub Scouts won‟t become part of the LDS church program for

another 22 years.

100th Anniversary of pioneers entering the valley. Pioneer Centennial Campout July 21-25. 4000 Scouts from U.S. &

Mexico attend.

1941 1944 1945 1947 1949

Church-Scouting

Relationships Committee

is announced Oct 24 by

Pres David O. McKay.

New Vanguard Program provides Scouting for boys 12-14 outside the U.S. (same name as 1928 older-boy

program).

Primary now sponsors CUB SCOUTING, and 11-year -old Scouts change to a Guide PATROL under Primary leadership.

Duty to God Award created for boys 12-18, correlating Scouting and priesthood responsibilities.

„Exploring‟ replaces the old Explorer program with a new logo, uniform (belt & leggings)

and exciting activities.

Golden Jubilee celebrates BSA‟s 50 years of Scouting

in the U.S.

1960 1963 1966 1967 1969 “50 Golden Years of Scouting in the Church” celebration held Feb. 1.

Philmont Leadership Conferences for LDS stake presidencies begin June 5-11, 1963.

“Recommittal to Scouting” is made by the Church through a radio broadcast. As part of this, a Canada-US encampment is held in Farragut, Idaho in July. 3500 boys attend. Guide Patrol Day Camps begin under direction of

Primary.

LaVern Parmley, General Primary President, becomes the first woman to serve on a national Scout committee. In 1976, she is the first woman to receive her Silver Buffalo award.

Girls can now join BSA‟s Career-Emphasis Exploring Program.

Venturing is created in the Church to meet the needs of boys age 14-15 (Teachers). They register as Explorers. Boys 16-18 (Priests) are Ensign Explorers.

In 1972, a Blazer Patrol is created for 11-year-old Scouts (Guide Patrol) in the primary. In 1971, the NEW ERA replaces the Improvement Era.

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M.I.A. is placed under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric. Then, in 1977, the name is changed to YOUNG MEN and a Young Men presidency is reinstated.

Varsity Program is developed by LDS leaders in Utah. The 1978 pilot program replaces the Church‟s Venturing Program (boys age 14-15) in 1983 and becomes a National BSA program in 1984.

.

Webelos Rank replaces Lion in an attempt to hold the interest of older Cub Scout boys.

1951 1952 1954 1957 1959

“On My Honor” Award for Scouts ages 12-18 is introduced. Duty to God Scouting requirements are removed.

1970 1972 1974 1977 1978

Consolidated Meeting Schedule puts religious instruction on Sunday and allows more time during Mutual for Scout activities.

BSA Diamond Jubilee (75 years of Scouting). Church celebrates with special broadcast and a National Jamboree patch.

.

1990 1991 1998

Duty to God. Aaronic Priesthood Program uses Quorum work only (no Scout requirements). Separate book for each quorum and a medallion. Primary replaces its Faith In God Award with new requirements (no medal).

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Budget allowance helps units. Church now pays for activities and Scouting registration, excluding long-term camps.

New BSA Venture Program replaces Exploring program, February 9. Roots go back to old Vanguard and 1940s Exploring program, with Outdoor Emphasis, Ranger and Silver awards.

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“New Scout Patrol” is created by National BSA based on Church‟s program for new Scouts. Led by a Troop Guide. Blazer Scouts are renamed 11-Year-Old Scout Patrol in 1995.

100 years of World Scouting is celebrated with a World Jamboree in England and a unique patch in many languages: “One World, One Promise.”

BSA celebrates 100 Years of Scouting with a year-long series of activities and a National Jamboree, the last one held at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. Church creates patch and George Albert Smith award.

“Fulfilling My Duty to God” replaces 2001 program. One book for all quorums; more individual goal setting; “Learn, Act, Share” emphasis.

100 Years of Scouting in the LDS Church is celebrated with a display at the Church History Museum in July and a grand commemoration in October.

2001 2007 2010 2013

Faith in God Award, announced in 1979, replaces Duty to God Trail requirements for Guide Patrol members in the primary.

Explorer Leadership Conference (E2). Directed by General YM Pres. at Philmont. Implemented by Great Salt Lake Council from 1986-93. Taylorsville Stake uses the program for 17 years as PLC - Priest Leadership Conference.

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1980 1985 198875th anniversary of Scouting in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is celebrated with a special Baden-Powell patch.

© 2013 Kathi Robertson Used by permission