Special to The Hays Daily News

The Boy Scouts of America celebrated its centennial anniversary Feb. 8. The largest youth organization in the United States, it has 2.8 million youth members and 1.1 million adult leaders in the programs of cub scouting, boy scouting and venturing. Since 1910, more than 111 million people have participated in the organization's traditional programs. The organization was granted a federal charter in 1916 by an act of Congress signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson.

The week of Feb. 7 to 13 was when the Scout anniversary was celebrated across America.

William D. Boyce, the founder of the Boy Scouts of America, was lost in the London fog in the early 1900s. While looking for his hotel, an English Scout helped Boyce find his way. Boyce then reached into his pocket to offer the Scout a tip. When offered, the Scout replied, "I can't take that, I'm doing my good turn daily."

Boyce was so impressed, he asked to meet Sir Robert Baden Powell to learn more about Scouting. The rest is history.