Who are the Turtle Scouts?

Since the Turtles are so secretive, it is impossible to know how many people are involved in the society. Over the years many have boasted of their membership. Some have identified others as being members. Ages range from thirteen and up. Known members have included: Lodge Adult Advisers, Lodge officers and chairmen, Chapter adult and youth leadership, Section Advisers, Section Chiefs, Region Chiefs, Council Vice President, Distinguished Service Award recipients, Founders Award recipients, Eagle Scouts, Vigil Honor recipients, Scoutmasters, prominent businessmen, Museum curator, Council employees, Summer Camp staff, Camp Directors, Camp Program Directors, Politicians, Lawyers, and Doctors.

Many of the youth also have a parent, usually their proud father, sometimes a respected Scouter, that mentors them in how to use the power of the group. In some cases, their father or other adult mentor was a member of the (fabled) World War II drinking club, known as the International Association of Turtles, and carries over the association of that club with the Scouting Turtles. The young men that are not yet of legal drinking age use new adult converts to purchase alcohol for them for their ceremonies, rituals, and meetings. In most cases it is a high honor for the young adult members to recognize older members and tap them for membership in this prestigious group.

Some of the members take active membership very seriously. They think that being a Turtle is the highest honor they have ever received. Many of the older youth do not bother with registering with Scouting or the Order of the Arrow, once they have reached the level of Turtle. They are allowed to continue to participate at Scouting and Lodge events whether they are registered Scouters or not, because most of the people checking membership are also members of the Turtles.

It is particularly chilling that they boast that they control all aspects of Scouting. Many have said that they control Summer Camp, the Order of the Arrow, Vigil selection, Councils, and Regions. This is not idle boasting, the facts support their claims. In their rituals, they promise retribution to anyone that would turn on the group. Thus, there is only one known member that has spoken out publicly against the group. They have told several people that to succeed in Scouting, you must be a member of the Turtles.