During the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have observed that it has become increasingly difficult for youth to connect with non-profit organizations to provide service, such as for an Eagle Project or to complete Religious Award requirements. Some youth have contacted multiple organizations, churches, non-profits, community centers, trying to find an individual to assist in coordinating an Eagle Scout service project, only to be frustrated in the process. The problem is that many organizations have closed, or no longer have office hours or the ability to respond to emails and phone calls or coordinate volunteers.
In response to this very real need, the Vanguard International Scouting Association (Vanguard) hopes to create over time a national database for all Scouts to connect with organizations that would be willing to accept service. Once this database is up and running, a youth will be able to reach out to an organization and coordinate with a specific individual who is responsible for service projects. We hope to go live in the first quarter of 2021. If you have contacts at organizations that you believe we should invite to be part of the database, please reach out to us at info@vanguardscouting.org
Until then, we encourage Scouting youth to contact their local Scouts BSA Council for project ideas. Another great source of local projects is https://www.justserve.org/. This website is maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and allows volunteers from any organization to advertise their service projects or to find service projects near them to assist with. Some of these projects could fulfill Religious Award requirements or inspire an Eagle Project. This website would also serve as a location for Scouts to identify local organizations they might work with to identity future Eagle Projects.
We thank you for your participation in Scouting and hope that all who are looking to make a difference through service can find a project that meets their needs.
Vanguard Leadership Team