The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), founded in 1910, is the largest youth organization in the United States and a significant part of Scouting's history. Over 100 million Americans have been members of the Scouts, including 18 U.S. presidents—Bush, Obama, Bill Gates, and former president Gerald Ford.

The BSA is officially chartered by Congress, with the sitting president serving as honorary president and former presidents as honorary vice presidents. The organization is led by the Chief Scout Executive, who oversees the professional staff, with the national headquarters located in Irving, Texas.

"I can say without hesitation that without the Boy Scout spirit, I would not have been a good athlete, a good Navy officer, a good senator, or a president ready for anything."
-Gerald Ford