Cyberspace offers a wealth of information for the Scout unit, O.A. Lodge or the individual Scout to get involved. A number of agencies have websites, or at least email, and can be reached via the Internet. Many of these organizations have programs specifically for Scout groups. A few of the programs, like Colgate’s Youth for America campaign, will award cash prizes for Scout troops with unique and exceptional service programs. You’ll also find that many of these destinations have links to other volunteering and service-related sites.

America’s Promise

America’s Promise connects those that can, like corporations, with those that do, like volunteers and grass roots efforts. Their efforts serve our nation’s at-risk youth, by offering better access to five fundamental resources: mentors, safe places, healthy start, marketable skills, and returning service to the community. Chaired by Retired General Colin Powell, this is the national organization that BSA has responded to with a pledge of more than 200 million hours of community service. Additional information on the initiative can be found at www.citizenservice.org/digital/ which describes the President’s Summit launching the America’s Promise effort.

Colgate’s Youth For America Campaign

Every year, the Youth For America program awards hundreds of cash prizes to Scout troops who perform outstanding acts of community service. The Youth for America program is sponsored by Colgate, and is now in its 26th year, since starting in 1972.

Colgate provides monetary grants to those packs & troops whose projects are the most innovative and successful. The projects must have been done between March 1, 1998 and March 1, 1999. A one-page summary of your project must be submitted by March 15, 1999. Winning troops will be announced on June 1. Judges include famous Americans like Scott O’Grady, Alex Trebeck, Dionne Warwick & Ethan Hawke. In addition to the Boy Scouts, the program is also open to Girl Scouts USA, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Girls Inc., Camp Fire Inc., and the National 4-H Committee; six youth groups in all. The top prize for each national organization is $1,000, but there are six levels of prizes, and all entering units receive a certificate & other recognition.

Winning projects have included adult literacy campaigns, environmental preservation projects, community restorations, senior citizen assistance, and anti-substance abuse programs.

Scout Service Centers should have nomination forms on hand but additional copies can be ordered by contacting the Youth for America Campaign.

Do Something

An organization dedicated toward inspiring young people to believe that positive change is possible. They help train, fund, and mobilize them to become leaders who can help strengthen their community.

Kindness and Justice Challenge

This is a national contest to rally schools and youths to perform meaningful acts of service. They offer prizes for the students who perform and record the most acts of kindness in each state. There are also national prizes.

National Make A Difference Day

USA Today Weekend, which is a part of millions of Sunday newspapers has sponsored the annual National Make A Difference Day for over ten years. Groups can receive cash prizes, plus participating newspapers work with USA Today Weekend to provide lots of publicity and recognition for the event. One of the great things about this site is the huge database of neat project ideas that have been done in the past. Included in the mix are dozens of past submissions from Cub Scout Packs, Troops, and Explorer Posts. One of the projects was performed by Troop 924 of Livermore California. Last year, they organized 175 volunteers to create community awareness and distribute to every household a brochure about the four “R’s” of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Rot.

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