The United States Virgin Islands District–officially USVI, Boy Scouts of America (BSA)–represents the islands of St. John. At the close of 2016, the District was serving 225 youth through the dedication of 79 registered adult leaders and the support of one part-time Scouting professional. Local Scouting members had performed 150 community service hours, including collecting 1,750 lbs. of non-peris
hable items during Scouting for Food for donation to Lighthouse Mission, a nonprofit on St. Croix that helps individuals and families during times of intense need. The District is currently finalizing details for the launch of USVIsion 2020: Scouting Forward, a three-year initiative to increase participation in BSA youth programs to 1,000 young people (males age 7-21, females age 14-21) by 2020. For more details on how to get involved with and support this effort, please email [email protected]. Nonprofit/For-Profit Organizations: Interested in offering life-changing experiences for youth in the USVI? Become a Chartered Organization! For more information: http://scoutingwire.org/marketing-and-membership-hub/new-unit-development/chartered-organizations. Below are five main BSA programs for youth (males age 7-21, females age 14-21):
• Cub Scouts (packs): A family- and home-centered program for boys in 1st-5th grade, or ages 7-10. Cub Scouting's emphasis is on quality programs at the local level, where the most boys and families are involved.
• Boy Scouts (troops): A year-round program for boys ages 11-17 that provides fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities, and a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests.
• Venturing (crews): A program for males and females age 14-20 that includes challenging high adventure activities, sports and hobbies for teenagers that teach them leadership skills and provide opportunities to teach others.
• Exploring (posts): A career education program for males and females age 14-20. Exploring provides an ideal link between the academic environment and the real world.
• Sea Scouting (ships): A program for males and females age 14-21 that promotes better citizenship and improved members’ boating skills through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor, social, service experiences, and knowledge of our maritime heritage. Individuals (Adults): Interested in being a positive role model for local youth? The BSA relies on dedicated volunteers to promote its mission of preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Through the dedication of these many volunteers, the BSA remains the foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training in America. No previous experience in Scouting? No problem. BSA has online and localized training opportunities! Visit www.scouting.org/Volunteer for general information. Email [email protected] for local information and opportunities.
