100 YEARS OF SCOUTING IN THE UTAH (LDS CHURCH)—A TIMELINE Young Men are organized by Junius F. Wells on June 10. To be called “Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association.” Contributor magazine becomes voice of new Y.M.M.I.A, 1879. 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 5 th Dragoons to become more self-reliant. First Utah Scout unit is formed by T. George Wood in the 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. It sets the pattern for other organizations wanting 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 1919 Congressional Charter granted to the Boy Scouts of America on June 15.
Transcript
100 YEARS OF SCOUTING IN THE UTAH (LDS CHURCH)—A TIMELINE
Young Men are organized by Junius F. Wells on June 10. To be called “Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association.”
Contributor magazine becomes voice of new Y.M.M.I.A, 1879.
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 T. George Wood in the 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. It sets the pattern for other organizations wanting 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 and 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. 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. At this time, 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.
WW2 brings much hardship, but also allows for many good turns. 18- year-old young men are drafted, so Explorer Scouts are now ages 15-17.
Deseret Recognition Award is created for Explorer Scouts in the Senior Scout Program.
Scouting entry age drops to 11 in 1949. 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 1949Explorer units now called POSTS. Program includes a new green uniform and the Ranger Advancement Program.
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 the Primary’s Direction.
Duty to God Award created for boys 12-18; correlates Scouting and priesthood responsibilities.
‘Exploring’ replaces the old Explorer program with a new logo 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 leaders begin June 5-11, 1963.
“Recommittal to Scouting” is made by the church. 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 first woman to serve on a national Scout committee. In 1976, she is the first woman to get her Silver Buffalo Award.
BSA’s Career-Emphasis Exploring Program now includes girls.
Venturing is created in the church to meet the needs of young men ages 14-15, who register with the BSA as Explorers. Priests, ages 16-18, register as Ensign Explorers.
Duty To God Trail Award program begins.
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M.I.A. is put under the Presiding Bishopric.
Then, in 1977 the name is changed to YOUNG MEN and a Young Men’s presidency is reinstated.
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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
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Webelos Rank replaces Lion in an attempt to hold the interest of older Cub Scout boys.
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1951 1952 1954 1957 1959
“On My Honor” Award for Scouts ages 12-18 is introduced. Duty to God Scouting requirements are removed to help youth outside the U.S.
1970 1974 1977 1978 x
Blazer Patrol replaces the Guide Patrol (11-year-old Scouts) in the primary in 1970.
In 1971, the NEW ERA replaces the Improvement Era.
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Consolidated Meeting Schedule puts religious instruction on Sunday and allows more time during Mutual for Scout activities.
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BSA Diamond Jubilee (75 years of Scouting). Church celebrates with special broadcast and a National Jamboree patch.
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1990 1991 1998
Duty to God, Aaronic Priesthood Program, emphasizes both Scouting and quorum requirements, has a separate book for each quorum, and a nice medallion.
Primary replaces its Faith In God Award with new requirements (medal is gone).
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Budget allowance helps units. Church now pays for activities and registration, excluding long-term camps.
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New BSA Venture Program replaces Exploring program, February 9. Its roots go back to old Vanguard and 1940s-1950s Exploring programs, 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.
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100 years of World Scouting is celebrated with a World Jamboree in England and a unique patch in many languages: “One World, one promise.”
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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.
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“Fulfilling My Duty to God” replaces 2001 program. One book for all quorums; more individual goal setting; Learn, Act, Share emphasis.
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2001 2007 2010 2013
Faith in God Award, announced in 1978, recognizes Cub Scout boys in the Primary. Duty to God Trail Award program ends 1982.
Explorer Leadership Conference (E2). Directed by General YM Pres. at Philmont. Run by Great Salt Lake Council from 1986-93. Taylorsville Stake runs 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.
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100 Years of Scouting in the LDS Church is celebrated with a yearlong display at the Church History Museum and a commemoration program in October.
The Thomas S. Monson medallion is awarded to Scouts of all denominations at the 2013 National Jamboree, as well as at Centennial Encampments at other locations throughout the country.
