Archive
Gray to Join Jayhawk Area Council Staff
Scout Executive Wayne Pancoast is pleased to announce the addition of Caleb Gray as the Pony Express District Executive effective August 18, 2025. His responsibilities include membership, fundraising, and program support for Marshal, Nehama, Potawatomie and portions of Wabaunsee counties.
Caleb studied at University of Arkansas where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science. After serving numerous positions in the food research industry, the “Scouting bug” never left him, and he chose to make a career change to youth service.
Caleb is an Eagle Scout currently residing in Sabetha, KS. He has served as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 48 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas and Troop 77 in Sabetha, Kansas. As a youth in Arkansas, he was active in the Order of the Arrow Lodge receiving his Vigil Honor. He served two summer camps as staff; Camp Orr in the Westark Area Council and our own Falley Scout Reservation. While in college, he joined Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity affiliated with Scouting America serving in numerous leadership roles. He was recognized as with the E. Fay Jones Service to Scouting Award by Alpha Phi Omega.
Please welcome Caleb Gray to the Jayhawk Area Council Family.
2025 Topeka Area Friends of Scouting Breakfast
The Friends of Scouting (FOS) annual campaign in Topeka will launch on Thursday, March 13th from 6:45 – 8:00 am at the Maner Conference Center – Sunflower Ballroom. The Jayhawk Area Council hosts a community breakfast each year to kick-off the FOS campaign to raise funds to support local Scouting America programs. This event is planned, directed and conducted by volunteers who are integral to the success of Scouting in the Topeka area. Mitch Holthus, Voice of the Chiefs, will serve as this year’s keynote speaker.
Donors at or above the $1,000 level are invited to attend a VIP session immediately following the breakfast.
Financial support is crucial to providing the facilities, materials, programs, training activities and Scouting leadership for our local area. Community members are invited to attend the breakfast to learn about and support the positive impact Scouting is having on our youth locally. Please RSVP to Kelly Potter by calling (785) 276-3341 if you haven’t RSVPed with a volunteer. If you are unable to attend but would like to donate, please visit here. All contributions stay local.
Join the Falley Scout Reservation Team! Now Hiring for 2026 Summer Camp Staff
The Jayhawk Area Council is looking for dedicated and passionate individuals to serve on our 2026 Summer Camp staff who can help provide a fun and positive experience for campers.
If you are looking for a rewarding summer job, camp is the place for you! We employ around 25-30 staff for the summer, positions including directors, lifeguards, program counselors, food service, administrative staff and others. If you are a self-starter, who enjoys working outdoors as well as in part of a team environment, we would love to chat with you.
Interviews will be held the December 13th, 4-6 PM and January 17th, 4-6 PM with additional dates being added depending upon the interest. Please complete the attached Camp Staff application or CIT application and return it back to Joe Blasko at joseph.blasko@scouting.org by December 5, 2025. If you know of someone within your Unit that would be interested in joining our Camp Staff, please send us an email with their name and contact information so that we can invite them to apply.
Benefits include:
- Free food, room and board for the duration of your time on staff.
- Rewarding work in a fun, educational environment.
- Gain experience and training while building valuable job skills.
- Make lifelong friendships.
We hope you will consider joining our 2026 Camp Staff Team.
Best,
Dan Wentling, Council VP of Program
A Message from the Jayhawk Area Council Key 3
Boy Scouts of America Announces New Membership Fees
The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America has announced the new membership fees that will take effect August 1, 2023. This decision is the result of extensive work by both national council volunteers and staff with input from local councils to determine the fees necessary to operate the Boy Scouts of America.
Effective August 1, 2023, the membership fees will be adjusted as follows:
- $80 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting participants ($5 increase)
- $60 for all adult volunteers ($15 increase to provide general liability insurance and enhanced background checks)
- $25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting (Not prorated and no change in fee)
- $25 for Merit Badge Counselors (New Fee applies only for Merit Badge Counselors not already registered as leaders)
- $50 for Exploring participants Youth & Adult ($5 increase)
- $100 for a unit charter/affiliation fee (no change in fee)
- $15 for Scout Life magazine (no change)
In addition to the above fees, there will be no pro-rated fee option. For youth or volunteers joining after August 1, 2023, the annual membership fee will be due upon registration and will be due each year on their anniversary date. Those that are registered youth and volunteers prior to August 1, 2023 will annually renew in January. There will no longer be pro-rated fees to cover everyone until January and unit recharting will no longer be directly tied to the annual registration renewal process.
Please review the two documents, one from the National BSA Council and one from your Jayhawk Area Council leadership. Both will provide additional background information about this upcoming change. We also look forward to seeing everyone at your August Program Previews and where there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
We look forward to another great school year of Scouting!
Jayhawk Area Council Key 3
