GOOD TURN FOR AMERICA FAQ

What is Good Turn for America?
Good Turn for America is a national call to service by the Boy Scouts of America to address the issues of hunger, homelessness, and poor health in our nation. In this effort, the Boy Scouts of America is working with some of the nation's most respected service organizations, including The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and the American Red Cross. These organizations and thousands of others will work to provide opportunities for youth and volunteers to fight hunger and homelessness, and teach the habits of healthy living. Youth and volunteers are looking for ways to serve their communities. At the same time, service organizations need dedicated volunteer help. By working together, we can improve our young people, our communities, and the nation.

How is this different from Scouting for Food?
Scouting for Food is a once-a-year effort focusing on one area of need. Good Turn for America is a year-round initiative that addresses hunger, inadequate housing, and health issues in our communities. Good Turn for America may include any of a broad array of activities on a council, district, or unit level.

Are we required to work with national organizations such as The Salvation Army to participate?
No. Local Boy Scouts of America service centers and their affiliates are free to work with any organization they choose.

How will our service projects and hours be tracked?
You can record information about service projects and service hours completed by your units on the Web site, goodturnforamerica.org. Each unit has been issued a unique login name and password that will allow you to enter information about your service projects.

Who reports services hours for my unit?
While your unit has only one Good Turn For America #, it can have multiple User ID’s. Any adult or Eagle Scout can log in with your unit’s Good Turn For America # and create a User ID. Get your unit's Good Turn for American Unit ID Number here.

How will the results be communicated?
The Boy Scouts of America will report the total number of service hours and projects to the nation each year during Scouting anniversary month. Our council will report on total number of service hours and projects on our web site and in the Pathfinder.

Are there recognition items?
Yes! Any unit that participates by recording service hours and projects on the Good Turn for America web site will receive a ribbon for the unit flagpole. These ribbons will be distributed at district roundtables starting in September 2004.

Units also have the option of purchasing Good Turn for America patches for their members through the Scout Shop.

Units who participate will also be recognized in the Pathfinder and other council publications.