Good Turn for America Award

Good Turn for America is a collaboration between the Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, and thousands of other community organizations that focuses the power of volunteerism on important community issues. The three main issues addressed are: hunger, lack of adequate shelter, and poor health.

Good Turn for America goals include the following:

• Inspire youth and adult leaders in and out of Scouting to higher levels of service and volunteerism.
• Provide additional program experiences to help youth members learn qualities of good citizenship and gain a sense of belonging to and being needed in their communities.
• Build service collaborations with community organizations across every community in the country.
• Affirm the BSA as the nation's leading collaborating organization in community service.
• Heighten our nation's awareness of BSA's service commitment to all communities and citizens.

1. Scouting for Food Activities in Collaboration With The Salvation Army or Other Local Organizations. As unbelievable as it may seem, hunger remains a significant problem in the United States. In fact, one in five children in this country faces hunger. Hungry children, even those who experience only mild malnutrition during the critical stages of their development, may suffer irreparable harm.
   The BSA is concerned about hunger and helping community agencies provide food for the needy.
2. Scouting for Shelter Activities in Collaboration With Habitat for Humanity or Other Local Organizations.
   The Urban Institute estimates that 3.5 million people in the United States, 1.35 million of them children, will experience homelessness during the course of a year. The need for simple, decent housing continues to grow in American communities.
   The BSA is concerned about shelter to the needy and improving the quality of life of those who must live in group homes or shelters.
3. Scouting for Healthy Living Activities in Collaboration With the American Red Cross or Other Local Organizations.
   Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. It is a major risk factor for the number one cause of death: heart disease. Heart disease can be reduced by proper exercise and diet. Our children are being raised in an increasingly sedentary society, and obesity is a major health concern for youth. One out of five obese youth develops diabetes. Some researchers predict that today's children will be the first generation of Americans whose life expectancy will actually be shorter than that of their parents. The culprit, they say, is the health problems associated with obesity.
   The BSA is an organization that has always been concerned about the physical fitness and good health of Americans.



It takes a bit of work to ge through the 'paperwork' to receive the patches for this award.



• One designated person in each unit should contact a local council executive to get a unit-specific ID number. This ID allows the unit to access the www.goodturnforamerica.org web site and enter project hours.


• Once project data is entered, the unit designee prints a certificate from the web site.


• The certificate is presented to the local Scout Shop to allow the unit to purchase appropriate patches and segments.


• The patches are presented to scouts at an appropriate ceremony.




See GoodTurnForAmerica.org - (replaced by Journey to Excellence site)