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The '''Boy Scouts of America''' was founded on February 8, 1910, under the laws of the [[District of Columbia]], by W. D. Boyce.<ref>[http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/Founders.aspx Founders], scouting.org.</ref> The Boy Scouts of [[United States of America|America]] is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations, in existence for nearly a [[century]], the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun activities. The Boy Scouts of America believes that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.<ref>[http://www.scouting.org/About.aspx About the BSA]</ref> The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.<ref name=overview>[http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/OverviewofBSA.aspx Overview of Boy Scouts of America]</ref>

The '''Boy Scouts of America''' was founded on February 8, 1910, under the laws of the [[District of Columbia]], by W. D. Boyce.<ref>[http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/Founders.aspx Founders], scouting.org.</ref> The Boy Scouts of [[United States of America|America]] is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizationsIt combines educational activities with fun activities.<ref>[http://www.scouting.org/About.aspx About the BSA]</ref> The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.<ref name=overview>[http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/OverviewofBSA.aspx Overview of Boy Scouts of America]</ref>

==Programs==

==Programs==

Many presidents have praised and addressed the Boy Scouts over the years.  President [[Calvin Coolidge]] said this to a group of Boy Scouts in 1924:  

Many presidents have praised and addressed the Boy Scouts over the years.  President [[Calvin Coolidge]] said this to a group of Boy Scouts in 1924:  

{{Cquote|The three fundamentals of scouthood are reverence for nature ... reverence for law ... and reverence for God. It is hard to see how a great man can be an atheist. Doubters do not achieve. ... No man realizes his full possibilities unless he has the deep conviction that life is eternally important, and that his work, well done, is part of an unending plan.}}

{{Cquote|The three fundamentals of scouthood are reverence for nature ... reverence for law ... and reverence for God. It is hard to see how a great man can be an atheist. Doubters do not achieve. ... No man realizes his full possibilities unless he has the deep conviction that life is eternally important, and that his work, well done, is part of an unending plan.}}

During a 2009 Boy Scouts of America awards ceremony, of which [[Rush Limbaugh]] was invited to and attended, he said this about the BSA and how it pertains to America's greatness:

 

{{Cquote|The United States of America is a great nation at risk in a dangerous world. It is the traditional values, institutions that have defined the greatness of this country that will save it. The values, the love of country, the recognition that as human beings our rights, our freedom, our essence, our yearning to be free come from our creator, from God, not from a government, not from other men, is what has made this country great. And the Boy Scouts of America ... [it] is a microcosm of what made this country great. And the traditions, institutions, and values that have defined this country's greatness are what make the Boy Scouts of America. [...] And the people involved in instilling those values in the young people of America who it's been said accurately are 'the future of the country,' deserve applause. They deserve recognition, and they deserve to be inspired and motivated. Not only the kids doing it but the adults inspiring them. I am proud of all of you involved in the Scout program, wherever you are.<ref>Rush Limbaugh. [http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_111309/content/01125106.guest.html Rush and Roger Ailes Speak at Boy Scouts Awards Dinner], RushLimbaugh.com, November 11, 2009.</ref>}}

[[Rush Limbaugh]] said the Scouts are "a microcosm of what made this country great." <ref>Rush Limbaugh. [http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_111309/content/01125106.guest.html Rush and Roger Ailes Speak at Boy Scouts Awards Dinner], RushLimbaugh.com, November 11, 2009.</ref>}}

==The Scout Oath & Law==

==The Scout Oath & Law==