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  • [ May 23, 2025 ] Scout honors veterans ahead of Memorial Day, plus other news in Scouting this week Scouting Tips
  • [ May 22, 2025 ] Eagle Scout who earned every merit badge reflects on his multiyear endeavor App Feed
  • [ May 20, 2025 ] Camp Tahquitz and its all-volunteer staff mark 100 years of serving Scouts App Feed
  • [ May 19, 2025 ] Illinois Scout focuses Eagle project on helping veterans App Feed
  • [ May 16, 2025 ] Scouting America names its 2025 National Alumnus of the Year Alumni

Unsung Heroes

This is Unsung Heroes, a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. To share the news of an Unsung Hero in your pack, troop or crew:

  1. Send an email to me with the subject line “Unsung Heroes.”
  2. Include a detailed summary of the heroic act.
  3. Include any “supporting documentation” you can. Examples include links to a story in your local newspaper, paperwork for a Scouting heroism award nomination or eyewitness accounts.
  4. Include high-res photos of the Unsung Hero.
App Feed - Health and Safety

Scouters and Scouts in Action: They saved the man on the plane!

July 23, 2024 0

Scouting America’s wilderness first aid curriculum continues to save lives in places other than the wilderness.

App Feed - For Parents

Here are the two people who earned the BSA’s highest award for lifesaving in 2023

March 18, 2024 2

Only two Honor Medals with Crossed Palms were awarded in 2023, and both incidents illustrate how Scouting prepares young people to keep their calm and respond appropriately in even the most stressful situations. Here are the two Honor Medal with Crossed Palms recipients for 2023.

The Scouts of Troop 114G on their raft
App Feed - For Parents

Scouters in Action: They saved two men from drowning!

April 13, 2023 2

The Scouts of Troop 114 in Littleton, Colorado, were on an epic whitewater rafting adventure on the Arkansas River when disaster struck. A short distance ahead of them, a raft collided with a rock, dumping its passengers into the churning water.

BSA logo
App Feed - For Parents

Unsung Heroes: Scout saves friend from possible tragedy

December 8, 2022 3

It was around 9:30 p.m. when Colton, a Scouts BSA member from Texas, gathered online with some friends — each from their own homes — to play videogames. During an otherwise routine call as the boys prepared to begin, Colton began to sense that something was wrong.

App Feed - Eagle Scouts

Unsung Hero: Eagle Scout pulls driver from 18-wheeler’s wreckage

August 10, 2022 1

The programs of the Boy Scouts of America are designed to help young men and women Be Prepared to help other people at all times. Because the fact of the matter is, you just never know when someone is going to need your help.

A Scout poses with his parents.
App Feed - Scouts BSA

Unsung Hero: He quickly identified his dad’s heart attack and took decisive action

March 9, 2022 0

For smart and speedy thinking that likely saved his father’s life, Matthew received the Medal of Merit from the Sam Houston Area Council.

App Feed - Scouts BSA

Unsung Heroes: Scout, his Scouter mom rescue kayaker from possible hypothermia

February 14, 2022 4

For his outstanding service that reflects the high ideals of Scouting, Marlin received the certificate of merit from the Sam Houston Area Council.

App Feed - Outdoors

Unsung Heroes: Kayaking Scouters rescue family from drowning on fast-moving river

December 10, 2021 0

The friends had been paddling for about 20 miles when they heard a noise downriver. “Is that someone calling for help?” one of them said.

App Feed - Scouts BSA

Unsung Hero: Second Class Scout saves fellow Scout from choking on a grape

November 8, 2021 0

Scarlett still remembers the sound — “that awful noise that happens when someone can’t breathe.” After hearing it, she jumped into action.

App Feed

Unsung Hero: Scout calls 911 after grandfather has a stroke

October 14, 2021 0

When he heard a sound upstairs, this First Class Scout from Connecticut jumped into action.

Posts pagination

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Aaron on Scouting Contributors

Aaron Derr

Aaron Derr is the senior editor of Aaron on Scouting and Scout Life magazine, and also a former Cubmaster and Scouts BSA volunteer.


Michael Freeman

Michael Freeman, an Eagle Scout, is an associate editor of Scout Life and Scouting magazines.


Sheniece Chappell

Sheniece Chappell is an associate editor of Scout Life and Scouting magazines.


Bryan Wendell

Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting (now Aaron on Scouting).

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