A Year of Celebration Requirements

A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference

By completing three of the five requirements, Boy Scouts can earn each of five award ribbons. A Year of Celebration will be in effect from Sept. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010.

Leadership

• Identify someone from your Scouting experience you think is a good leader. Ask them what makes them an effective leader and then talk to your parent or Scoutmaster about what makes a good leader. Write 200 words on the leader you chose and share with your troop leader.
• Teach a Scout a rank requirement and help them to a successful completion.
• Serve in a troop or team leadership position for three months.
• Serve as a youth staff member for a unit, district, or council event or camp.
• Serve as a Den Chief for a Cub Scout or Webelos den for three months.

Achievement

• Talk to a family member or family friend who used to be in Scouting or a Scout leader and ask about their favorite Scouting achievements. Write 200 words and share with your troop leader or parent OR fill out your family's Scouting Family Tree at www.Scouting.org/100years.
• Advance to Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, or Eagle rank, or earn two merit badges.
• Earn the religious emblem for your faith.
• Attend 90 percent of your troop or team meetings for three consecutive months.
• Earn one of the following awards: BSA Lifeguard, Mile Swim, BSA Emergency Preparedness, or BSA Physical Fitness.
• Attend an event at an Adventure Base 100 Tour site. Invite and bring a friend with you.

Community Service

Over the years, the Boys Scouts of America has partnered with several national organizations to accomplish some great service projects. If you are looking for service project ideas, consider the following options:

Nothing But Nets Scouting For Food Habitat for Humanity Our National Parks

American Red Cross Arbor Day Foundation Take Pride in America The Salvation Army

Cell Phones for Soldiers Preserve Our Waterways 2010 US Census

* MAKE SURE THAT ALL SERVICE HOURS ARE RECORDED ONLINE FOR GOOD TURN FOR AMERICA.

• Participate in Scouting for Food or another food drive by spending at least one hour placing bags, collecting bags, distributing food, or spreading the word about food collection.
• Volunteer to plant trees or landscape an area around a church, synagogue, or other place of worship or a not-for-profit organization that is not the Boy Scouts of America.
• Provide two hours of service in a group community service project approved by your Scout leader.
• Recruit one new boy or adult leader into Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts.
• Provide two hours of volunteer service at a hospital, senior citizen or veteran's facility, or another facility approved by your Scout leader.

Character

• Participate in a flag ceremony, in uniform, for a non-Scout organization.
• Earn one of the Citizenship merit badges.
• Present a written record of your daily Good Turns for a period of 30 consecutive days, verified by your parent, guardian, or Scout leader.
• Provide two hours of assistance at an activity conducted by a Cub Scout pack, another troop or team, or other youth-serving organization approved by your Scout leader.
• Conduct a family project (such as the examples found in the Family Life merit badge pamphlet) approved by your Scout leader.

Outdoors

• Earn Hiking, Camping, Backpacking, Canoeing or Wilderness Survival merit badges.
• Attend a Scout overnight campout and practice the principles of Leave No Trace .
• Attend a full session of council summer camp, participate in a council or national High Adventure program, or earn the 50 Miler award.
• Participate for at least two hours in an outdoor conservation project approved by your Scout leader.
• Participate in a Scout backpacking trip separate from Requirement 2.