ARS | Publication request: CHEMISTRY AND SCOUTING: ACS AND BSA WORKING TOGETHER FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CHEMISTRY AMONG YOUTH

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 20, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) sponsor several programs designed to provide young Americans with opportunities to explore the natural sciences. Relying mainly on volunteer leaders, the programs reach hundreds of thousands of boys and girls every year. We will describe how Volunteers in Public Outreach can use the existing BSA programs to reach youth in a wide range of age groups. Although Boy Scouting is often viewed as a traditionally male organization, this is not necessarily true. Cub Scouting (ages 7-11) stresses family activities, and Exploring (ages 14-20) is a coeducational program whose purpose is to allow youth to engage in career-related activities. In central Illinois, a partnership between the American Chemical Society local section and the W. D. Boyce Council of the BSA has been organized by local volunteers. Our main focus is an Explorer Post chartered by the local ACS section, but we will also illustrate other chemistry-related Scouting topics, including National Chemistry Week Chemistry Merit Badge day.