The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is the largest youth organization in the United States. It was founded in 1910 as part of the Scout Movement. It is believed that over one hundred million Americans have been members. Individual units of the BSA rely largely on volunteers although at higher commercial levels of administration professionals are employed. The BSA is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
The BSA arose amidst concerns of the progressive movement in the United States from people who sought to promote the social welfare of young men. The BSA adheres to the Scout method to teach typical Scouting values such as self-esteem, citizenship and outdoorsmanship through a variety of activities such as camping, aquatics and hiking.
The BSA recognizes the achievements of Scouts through advancements in rank and special awards. It includes several membership divisions, targeted at boys ages seven through seventeen and young men and women ages fourteen through twenty-one. The BSA operates locally, through volunteer-led units generally known as troops, packs and crews.
The BSA has been both criticized and supported for its membership policies, which prohibit participation by atheists, agnostics, and "known or avowed" homosexuals; and limit participation by girls.