The World Organization of Scouting Movement’s (WOSM) Messenger of Peace Program (MoP) was initiated within BSA in 2012 and revamped in 2023. The Messengers of Peace program encourages Scouts worldwide to contribute positively to their communities and to make the world a better place. This unique service-oriented endeavor aims to promote a culture of peace and dialogue for mutual understanding, promote service initiatives led by Scouts, support the development of young people affected by conflict situations, provide further connection to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and connect Scouts around the world in a global network of 20 million Messengers of Peace. All members of Scouts BSA – both youth and adults – are eligible to participate at various levels of engagement: personal for individual achievement, Champion for those who create and run an MoP project, Ambassador for those who create and run a project in partnership with another organization, and a few select projects of extraordinary accomplishment, called the Distinguished Service Project, awarded at the National level. There is also a Unit MoP award for Units having at least 60 percent of their registered members participate in a service project suitable for the age level of the Scouts.
These are the first awards granted by the National Capital Area Council since the revised program entered into effect. The two Scouts who earned these awards are Tariq G., who earned MoP Champion, and Kiernan E., who earned MoP Ambassador.
Tariq G. is an Eagle Scout in Troop 1137B, Sully District, and a senior at Centreville High School in Clifton, Virginia. He completed his Eagle Scout and Messenger of Peace Champion Award Project at The Middleridge Park in Fairfax, Virginia. The Project was community based and entailed removing invasive plant species and spreading native seeds to replace the lost foliage. The targeted species were not eradicated, but significant progress was made in reintroducing native plants as the dominant group in the area. His project reduced the number of Boxwood and Wisteria plants, which will give much-needed real estate to native saplings and shrubs. He led 113 people, including BSA Scouts, BSA Scouters, other youth, and adults, over four days and 432 hours. His project enabled 10 BSA Scouts & Scouters to earn their Messenger of Peace Ring.
Kiernan E. is an Eagle Scout in Troop 1137G, Sully District, and a junior at Centreville High School in Clifton, Virginia. She completed her Eagle Scout and Messenger of Peace Ambassador Award Project at The Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) in Centreville, Virginia. The Project was community based and entailed removing invasive plant species in three phases. Phase three had an educational component and was incorporated into the Nature Station at the annual Sully District Twilight Camp held at the IWLA. She led 125 people, including Cub Scouts, BSA Scouts, BSA Scouters, parents, and siblings over seven days and 272 hours. Together, they removed 134 Autumn Olive Trees and 57 bags of other invasive plants. Her project enabled 35 BSA Scouts & Scouters to earn their Messenger of Peace Ring.
