Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel James “Jimmie” Dyess was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. He is one of only nine known Eagle Scouts to receive the Medal of Honor and the only American to earn both the Carnegie Medal for civilian heroism and the Congressional Medal of Honor. In 1929, he received the Carnegie Medal for saving two swimmers off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1928.

The Dyess First-Year Scout Program is a fully immersive, weeklong experience designed to give new Scouts a strong foundation for their Scouting journey. Participants spend all six daytime program sessions working toward requirements from Scout through First Class, completing nearly all rank requirements that can reasonably be accomplished at summer camp. Scouts also work toward and earn the First Aid Merit Badge as part of the program.

This is an active and challenging program—not simply an introduction to Scout skills. Scouts are organized into patrols and experience the patrol method firsthand as they develop skills in camping, first aid, navigation, outdoor living, teamwork, leadership, and other fundamental areas of Scouting. Along the way, they are challenged to work together, solve problems, build confidence, and develop resilience.

The week includes several special experiences:

• On Thursday evening, Scouts participate in an overnight at the First-Year site, camping in tents (provided by Knox) that they erect themselves and enjoying a special campfire program.
• On Friday, participants complete a 5-mile hike around camp and finish the day with swimming instruction and testing to work on rank advancement requirements.

Although Dyess is a full-day program, first-year Scouts remain an integral part of their troop’s summer camp experience. They attend the camp’s opening and closing campfires, return to their unit each evening, and have opportunities to enjoy Fun After the Sun activities, special programs, fellowship, and cracker barrels. With the exception of Thursday’s overnight, Scouts sleep in their troop campsite each night.

Scouts who successfully complete the Dyess First-Year Scout Program are recognized at Friday’s Closing Campfire, where they receive a certificate of completion and a commemorative Jimmie Dyess patch honoring the hard work, determination, and Scout spirit they demonstrated throughout the week.

Please Note: Completion of the Dyess program does not automatically confer Scout through First Class ranks. Certain requirements cannot be completed at summer camp, and all rank advancement remains subject to the requirements and approval process of the Scout’s home unit.