Jayhawk Area Council

Serving Scouting in the Topeka, Kansas area

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Scouts BSA Summer Camp

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Dear Scoutmasters and Senior Patrol Leaders,

Summer camp is the highlight of the Scouting year. Young men and women join Scouting to get outdoors and Camp Jayhawk at Falley Scout Reservation provides a unique setting for Scouts to interact with the Scouting program, explore nature, and learn about the world and themselves.

The Falley Scout Reservation Summer Camp Staff is committed to providing the best possible program during your Unit’s week of camp. Our goal is to be friendly and responsive to the needs of your unit, as well as set an example of what Scouting is to all those attending camp.

The Jayhawk Area Council invites all Units to place their campsite deposit now through January 6th to qualify for our Early Bird rate and select a campsite.  This initial $400 payment will be applied to the fee for the first two Unit leaders attending Summer Camp. To maintain the early bird pricing, Units will need to make the first payment of $150.00 per Scout participant by March 3rd with all final payments being made by May 5th. Units that register after January 6th will not be eligible for the Early Bird pricing and must pay the regular rate.

In addition, we are thrilled to once again offer Scouts and Leaders the opportunity to attend Camp Jayhawk, even if the rest of their Unit is not. This provisional Unit, known as the All-Star Troop, is overseen by two experienced adult leaders and the Scouts will elect their own Senior Patrol Leader and other positions as necessary. These Scouts participate in all competitions and other activities as a Unit and have proven to be quite successful these past few summers. All Scouts registered with the All-Star Troop receive the Early Bird rate.

Campership applications are due February 3rd, and on February 17th Campership decisions will be sent to those Units who have Scouts apply.

As the 2026 Camp Director, I would like to personally invite your Unit to place its deposit today and reserve your campsite for 2026 Summer Camp. Summer adventure awaits!

Yours in Scouting,

Brenden Feldt

2026 FSR Camp Director

Register Now!

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.

C.O.P.E.

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Challenging Outdoor Personal Experiences—is a Scouting program that includes group initiative games, trust events, and challenges that reach from the ground to the sky.

Jayhawk Area Council has a long history with this program, and we are excited to bring it back! Our Low C.O.P.E. Course has been inspected and is back open for scouts and non-scout groups to participate in. We have several dates available over the next year for scout groups to sign up and take the challenge. Our fall event date is August 8-9th and this event is open to all scouts ages 13 and up in our council with registration going live soon.

Our Volunteer COPE/Climbing Committee is currently in our Phase 2 of projects to continue expanding our course to it’s original size and beyond! Over the summer we will be performing repairs and improvements on our Climbing Towers and a three part High C.O.P.E. Course element (Giants ladder, Balance Beam, and Rappel) and should have them opening over the 2025-2026 year!

The Jungle Gym, Monster, and Zip Line will all be updated and reopened over the next few camping seasons, so stay tuned for updates as we bring our C.O.P.E. program back to the Jayhawk Area Council! Join us for our inaugural reopening event on August 8th and 9th!

August 8-9th, 2025

March 13-14th, 2026

May 8-9th, 2026

June 19-20th, 2026

For more information or to lock in a date please contact Kurt Garner @ Kurt.Garner@scouting.org.

Trust Fall Rebuild
Trust Fall Rebuild
Trust Fall Rebuild
Whale Watch Rebuild
Spider Web Rebuild
Square Tower Climbing Hand Hold Removal
Square Tower lower section being cleared out for Pole Replacement
August 8th – 9th
March 13th – 14th, 2026
May 8th – 9th, 2026
June 19th – 20th, 2026
Private Reservation

Theisen to Join Jayhawk Area Staff

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Scout Executive Wayne Pancoast is pleased to announce that Nicholas Thiesen has been hired as the Sojadi District Executive effective May 20, 2025.

Nick Theisen (pronounced Tyson) graduated from ITT Technical with an associate degree in Computer Aided Drafting along with some additional certifications.  He currently lives in Post Falls, Idaho and has spent the last ten years working for Buck Knives, Inc.

Nick has a combined 25 years of Scouting experience.  He is an Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and is Wood Badge trained.  He has served in numerous volunteer roles including Assistant Scoutmaster, Den Leader and Unit Commissioner. As a commissioner, he has earned his doctorate at the College of Commissioner Science and has most recently served as an Assistant District Commissioner in charge of recruiting. The den he served as den leader recently crossed into a troop. He is a District Award of Merit recipient and has earned the Arrowhead Award, Commissioner’s Key and Distinguished Commissioner.  This year, he took the inaugural online Commissioner Seabadge.

Nick is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He has served on the honor guard and held numerous roles including Grand Knight.  He is excited to join the Jayhawk Area Council.

Please welcome Nick to our council.

Scouting Adventures