Boys’ Life Archives
Scout Life magazine has partnered with Google Books to archive more than 100 years of Boys’ Life magazine. You can view nearly every issue from March 1911 to December 2012 at the following links:
- 1911-1919 issues
- 1920-1929 issues
- 1930-1939 issues
- 1940-1949 issues
- 1950-1959 issues
- 1960-1969 issues
- 1970-1979 issues
- 1980-1989 issues
- 1990-1999 issues
- 2000-2009 issues
- 2010-2012 issues
Once you find the issue you’d like to read, just click on the “Preview this magazine” link. You can also search within a particular issue or across all issues.
What About Issues Since 2012?
Many articles published since 2012 are available here on the Scout Life website. You can also find recent issues of the magazine on the Scout Life app.
Is anyone else having trouble seeing the wayback machine? The actual viewing area for the magazines is blank? Any advice, Boys’ Life?
I believe that in an issue of Boy’s Life there was a contest to win a Corvette, around a ’68 to ’72 model. I entered the contest when I was a kid but you had to be over 18 to win but I thought they would have mercy on an underage applicant and grant me the car if I won. Needless to say I didn’t win. I’d love to find a copy of contest because that’s what got me interested in Corvettes. Has anyone seen what I am talking about? I hope I don’t have the wrong magazine! Thanks in advance!
This brings back really old memories on my travels back to Gilwell.
SO COOL!
what is the March 1911 edition of boy life worth? We have one
a lot?
This is priceless!
Always wanted to read BL articles written by James West, E T Seaton, Uncle Dan Beard, and, of course, to re-read Green Bar Bill. Wow! Any thoughts about downloadable PDF, Kindle, or iPad compatible versions?
I’m trying to get info on the 1973 national jamboree in pennsylvania where I served on the amateur radio merit badge staff.
Which issue of Boys Life ran a report?
most likely the July issue
what do you mean
I wonder how they get these issues and where do they keep them,becuase of so many issues?
Where can I find plans to build the air car seen in the december 1989 boys life
Thank you so much Boy’sLife editors for putting Christianity in every issue. Don’t let anyone put a stop to that. Please aways keep it Christian. God bless BSA!
icant find the january 2010 issue. can some body help me with that
Thats because they have no 2010 decade yet and there wont be one till 2020
No, maybe next year
This is amazing!
Why dont they have any upto date issues
dear bsa we have the July 1963 issue but there is no MICKEY mANTEL ARE you sure it was that issue? we have Oct.1963/nov./july/Dec./may/Sept./Aug./June. 1964/march/feb./oct./april./aug./may/july/jan./june. 1965/jan./feb./april. thats all the issues we have. i hope this gives you an idea of what we have. ihope that someone will want any of these. if not we are going to throw them away.
i want them!
did you want all of the issues?answer as soon as possible please! we can settle on a price, after we get you reply.
I would like them!
me too
I have Mickey Mantle it is August 1959
My grandfather was an advertising artist and I have an original painting of a boys life magazine cover. I’m wondering if it was used. I’m not sure when it was done, but it has 3 boys trying to start a fire by rubbing a stick on a block of wood, and a native american smiling and handing them a lighter. Anyone ever see that one?
How do I print a copy of a cool article?
THANK YOU! There’s a story I remember reading as a kid, but couldn’t find anywhere. Many people I talked to remembered the story, but not the title or author. Some remembered that it was in Boys’ Life, and I finally found it — Mission: Survival by Curt Fischer, in the Aug. 1988 issue.
Umm, it ain’t workin’!
I’m having trouble too!
That story is wonderful
I love it! Thank you for making these available! As a Scout, I personally enjoy reading these 1911 issues more than I do the 2011 issues. On thing that impresses me is the amount of material in the old magazines. It takes me much longer to read it than it does to reading the current magazines, and that is a good thing! I throughly enjoy reading the inspiring, manly fiction, and love the practicality of the articles on useful skills. Scout Skills, Public Speaking, Survival, Fitness, and much more. I love reading how to do things much more than I do reading about other people doing them. I know you at Boy’s Life try to make the magazines to appeal to current boys, and as a Scout myself, I would like to let you know that I would love it if you would make the current Boy’s Life magazines more like the old ones. I have some experience in writing and am the Senior Patrol Leader of my Troop, and if you would like, I would be willing to volunteer some of my time to write some articles. Please reply if you are interested. I know that there are others Scouts as well who would really appreciate the return of some of the old-style content. I don’t mean outdated, rather up-to-date but written with the same practical value and spirit of rugged adventure that the old one’s are written in. Thank you again for your hard work in making these available.
we werewondering if the 1963 nov. issue is worth any money? we have it and its in aone condition! please let me know. thank you.
we have several different issues from 1963)64}65.are there any collectors out there?
how much are the issues?
I noticed there are people buying and selling older issues of Boy’s Life on ebay. I’ve bought a couple from there.
I need July 1963 issue with an ad for Mayfair photos showing Mickey Mantle. Got it????
BSA im pretty sure we do. i have them put away i will check tomorrow and let you know!!!!!
id like them
probably about $5
I am definitely interestd in the Nov 1963 Edition. It brings back memories. Please let me know.
Kinda useful
Woww! These old issues are just golden history. It’s great that they are available..
Yes they are!
Danny awesome could you let me know more about theyre worth? thank you.
Us old scouts remember those great black and white illustrated Boy’s Life reprint pamphlets we use to devour as kids.
This site reminds me of what a treasure trove of great stuff is in these back issues….Green Bar Bill, W. Ben Hunt, Whittlin’ Jim’s Slide of the Month.
What a resource that isn’t being tapped by national…get the presses rolling guys!!!
This is kinda boring…..
some parts are, but the ‘think and grin’ and the hitching rack and the comics isn’t.
that’s why I skipped some ywars, and started reading from jan 1947