In 1909, American businessman William D. Boyce was lost in a thick London fog when he stopped a young man for directions.  The boy, forever memorialized as the Unknown Scout, led him to his destination to ensure he didn’t become lost again.  When offered a tip for his service, the young man refused it, explaining to Boyce that it would negate the good deed he had done and go against the Scouting code.

Understandably, Boyce was impressed that such a young man could be so steadfast in his values, and inspired to meet with Lord Baden-Powell.  Fascinated by his Scouting program, Boyce was determined to bring it back to America.  On February 8th, 1910, in Washington, D.C., official papers establishing the Boy Scouts of America were signed and the program we know and love was founded.

The Unknown Scout became the core of our program here in the United States.  Of course, the Scouts BSA motto remains “Do a Good Turn Daily,” and in the years since 1910, we have honored this story in many ways.  American Scouts erected a statue of the Unknown Scout in Gilwell Park in London, and our Silver Buffalo Award statue is inscribed with the words, “To the Unknown Scout Whose Faithfulness in the Performance of the Daily Good Turn Brought the Scout Movement to the United States of America.”