Almost 100 years ago, shortly after U.S. Boy Scouting first started, a Scout could earn any of 57 merit badges, including "Ambulance," "Angling," "Automobiling," "Blacksmithing" and "First Aid to Animals."

None of those are still offered today, as there have been many changes to Scouting over the years. However, one key feature hasn't changed.

"We have not changed our values over these 100 years," said Rick Barnes, CEO of the Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America. "We're not a camping club. … We're a values organization."

But has Scouting changed? "Only the faces have changed," says Kay Godfrey, director of support services for the GSL Council. "The values are the same." The Scout Law and Oath, for example, haven't changed a word since 1910.

The Michigan-based "Century of Values" yearlong tour made its historic stop in Salt Lake City Friday to commemorate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America as part of a 45,000-mile, 350-stop road trip. The event was a kick-off to 14 months of celebrating the history and values of Scouting. The group is traveling in a specially decorated RV, fully wrapped in Scouting images. The exact BSA birthday is Feb. 8, 2010.

The mission: to visit every Boy Scout council in the United States.

On Friday, the group presented a custom centennial mural to S.L. Council leaders.

Brian Meissner, from Detroit, one of the tour members, said his group is one of 14 similar teams now touring the nation to promote the unchanging values of Boy Scouting.

"You will continue to lead us into the next century of values," he predicted of Scouting's future.

He described Scouting as one great brotherhood and said his tour's mission is to provide commemorative materials on Scouting's anniversary, promote Scouting and educate the public.

Centennial events planned during 2010 include a gala celebration at the Salt Palace on Feb. 25; collecting alumni records; launching a campaign to encourage families to pass the tradition to new generations; awarding commemorative patches; conducting anniversary food drives; holding tree plantings; gathering nominations for a National Hall of Leadership; and the creation of a time capsule.

For more information, go to www.saltlakescouts.org or call 801-582-3663.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com