Jayhawk Area Council

Serving Scouting in the Topeka, Kansas area

Archive

Council Klondike Postponed

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In accordance with the Jayhawk Area Council Extreme Cold Weather Policy, the Council Klondike committee has chosen to postpone our Council Klondike from this weekend until February 27-28, 2026. It will still be held at Pomona State Park.

While the desire was to hold the event, the snow expected on Friday evening and Saturday’s forecast calling  for temperatures in the teens and frigid wind chills would exceed the allowable temperatures listed in our Extreme Cold Weather policy.  The safety of our Scouts, Leaders and Volunteers must always come first.  

While Scouts are known for braving the elements, the extreme cold poses too great a risk for cold-weather injuries during scheduled activities. We understand that your Scouts were looking forward to a FUN weekend and we promise to deliver an exceptional experience on February 27-28, 2026. In the meantime, encourage Scouts who couldn’t attend this weekend to get signed up to participate. We will re-open registration to allow more youth and units to participate.

If your Unit is unable to attend the rescheduled date, you can download Event Refund Form.  Send it directly to Tara Montgomery at tara.montgomery@scouting.org. Please direct questions to Joe Blasko, Council Program Director at (785) 276-3346 or joseph.blasko@scouting.org

Gray to Join Jayhawk Area Council Staff

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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

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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.

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