BSA renews alliance with National Park Service

Some of the best Scouting happens in National Park Service sites — including national parks, national monuments, national battlefields and more.

So it’s only, well, natural for Scouting and the National Park Service to become close friends.

That makes it nice but unsurprising to learn that the Boy Scouts of America and the National Park Service have signed a memorandum of understanding, renewing the groups’ commitment to educate young people about camping, the outdoors and the environment.

The BSA and the National Park Service share an impressive origin story.

In 1916, Congress established the National Park Service to preserve the country’s natural and cultural resources.

In 1916, Congress chartered the Boy Scouts of America (which was established in 1910) to provide development programs for the country’s youth.

These days, Scout packs, troops, teams, posts, ships and crews venture to NPS sites to complete advancement requirements, perform service projects and have a ton of fun.

The renewed memorandum of understanding lasts five years, with an automatic five-year renewal clause. It was signed by Jonathan B. Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, and Michael Surbaugh, Chief Scout Executive of the BSA.

Here’s what each group promises to do.

What the National Park Service will do

1. Assist local Boy Scout councils, units, and groups associated with conservation to develop projects related to national parks
2. Advise the BSA on land conservation exhibits for national and local environmental conferences, fairs, and events
3. Provide opportunities for local Scouting units to participate in the NPS improvement projects and interpretive programs
4. Participate in relevant Boy Scout national and regional conventions and meetings
5. Encourage national parks to provide local Boy Scout councils with opportunities for earning conservation-oriented awards
6. Provide recognition to Scouting units and individual Scouts participating in the NPS Scout Ranger Resource Stewardship Program

What the BSA will do

1. Make its personnel available to consult on Boy Scout program requirements and for joint development of informational materials associated with the national joint program initiative and other environmental and outdoor education activities promoting NPS leadership, mentoring, and internship opportunities
2. Promote Scout unit awareness of the Scout Ranger Resource Stewardship Program
3. Share in the publicity and marketing of the partnership and Scout Ranger Resource Stewardship Program
4. Encourage participation in NPS age-appropriate service projects for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Ventures and Scout leaders