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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA IS CHANGING ITS NAME TO SCOUTING AMERICA
The new name reflects the continuing efforts to welcome everyone to experience the benefits of Scouting.
Topeka, KS (May 7, 2024) – The Boy Scouts of America today announced that it will be changing its name to Scouting America. This change reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcoming every youth in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The name change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th birthday.
This announcement also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Boy Scouts of America currently serves 176,234 girls and young women across all programs, including more than 6,000 who have earned Eagle Scout status.
“Though our name will be new, our mission remains unchanged: we are committed to teaching young people to be Prepared. For Life,” said Wayne Pancoast, chief executive officer of the Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. “This will be a simple but very important evolution as we seek to ensure that everyone feels welcome in Scouting.”
Scouting America builds on the organization’s 114 years of helping America’s youth. Its ongoing goal is to provide young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, fostering their growth and future outcomes as leaders, and be prepared for life. At the same time, values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.
Since 1918, the Jayhawk Area Council has served the counties of Coffey, Jackson, Jefferson, Lyon, Marshall, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee and the northern half of Greenwood counties. Headquartered in Topeka, the Jayhawk Area Council operates Falley Scout Reservation, also known as Camp Jayhawk, a 340-acre camp in Oskaloosa.
More than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting programs since its founding in 1910, and currently, more than 1 million youth, including both men and women, are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. To date, more than 2.75 million youth have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.
In addition to supporting the nation’s youth, Scouting America will continue to be an important asset to strengthen our communities, having provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer services for community improvement and other projects across the country.
About Scouting America
Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”
Scouting America welcomes all of America’s youth into its programs. Our goal is to give them fantastic experiences in the outdoors, and elsewhere, where they can grow with us in a safe environment. More than 130 million Americans have been through our programs since our founding, and currently more than 1 million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, visit Scouting.org.
About Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America
Headquartered in Topeka, the Jayhawk Area Council serves an eleven-county area sharing the fantastic benefits of Scouting to over 2,500 youth and 600 volunteer adults annually. The Boy Scouts of America continues to prepare young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Learn more about the Jayhawk Area Council at www.jayhawkcouncil.org.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Why Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18.
Who should know Mental Health First Aid?
Teachers, School Staff, Coaches, Camp Counselors, Youth Group Leaders, Parents, and any adult that works with youth.
Mental Health First Aid from National Council for Mental Wellbeing is offering a FREE class. This class will cover:
- Signs/symptoms of youth mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactive disorder
- Common sings and symptoms of substance use challenges
- How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis
- How to connect the youth with help
- Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying
This is a 2 part self-paced online session in advance of in-person class and a 5-hour in person training being held Saturday May 18, 9 am – 4 pm at Topeka Shawnee County Public Library.
For more information:
Popcorn Training Academy 2024: Preparing Scouts and Leaders for a Popping-Good Sale!
The Jayhawk Area Council is thrilled to announce the 2024 Popcorn Training Academy, a dynamic event designed to equip Scouts and adult leaders with the tools they need for a successful popcorn sale. Whether you’re a seasoned popcorn pro or a first-time seller, this academy promises valuable insights, practical strategies, and a whole lot of fun!
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, July 27th, 2024
- Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Location: Falley Scout Reservation
Training Highlights
Popcorn 101: The Basics
Scouts – Earn your Popcorn Seller Certification. Learn about the following to have a successful popcorn sale:
- Goal Setting
- Salesmanship
- Selling Methods: Show-N-Sale, Door-to-Door, & Online
Adult Leaders – Earn your Popcorn Kernel Certification. Learn about the following to take the stress out of popcorn season:
- Designed for new Unit Popcorn Kernels, Committee Chairs, and Treasurers.
- Lay the groundwork for a successful popcorn sale.
- Gain fundamental knowledge before the popcorn arrives.
- Chock-full of helpful tips!
Afternoon Fun
Once Scouts have earned their popcorn seller certification then they will have the opportunity to enjoy a couple of hours of fun activities at camp.
Why Popcorn?
- Fund Your Entire Year of Scouting: The popcorn sale is more than just a fundraiser; it’s an opportunity for Scouts to earn their own way. With the right training, your unit can fund its entire year of Scouting adventures!
- Technology & Online Sales : Increase potential sales by utilizing the Trail’s End technology and online platform.
- Learning Opportunity: Popcorn sales aren’t just about dollars; they’re about character-building, salesmanship, and learning practical skills. Scouts can learn these important skills while supporting their unit.
- Turn-Key Fundraiser: We handle the back-end work, so you can focus on Scouting. From logistics to resources, we’ve got you covered.
Contact Information
- Council Popcorn Staff Adviser: Ian Lamb, ian.lamb@scouting.org
Join us at the Popcorn Training Academy 2024 and let’s make this year’s sale the best one yet!
Register Now – Cub Scout Summer Camping Opportunities
Why do kids attend summer camp? Fun, Friendship, and Lasting Memories. Why do parents want their kids to go to Summer Camp? Meaningful Experiences, Advancement thru the Cub Scout program, and Grow in skills a classroom cannot teach.
Our Cub Scouts Akela Camp is a 3 day camp taking place June 29 – July 1, 2024, at the Falley Scout Reservation located in Oskaloosa, Kansas. Activities will include swimming, shooting sports, science experiments, fishing, handicrafts, hiking and nature exploration.
Our Cub Scouts Resident Camp is a 5 day 4 night camp taking place June 29 – July 3, 2024, at the Falley Scout Reservation in Oskaloosa, Kansas. Activities will include the classic summer activities such as swimming, shooting sports, handicrafts and nature exploration.
Our Webelos Resident Camp is a 5 day 4 night camp taking place June 29 – July 3, 2024, at the Falley Scout Reservation in Oskaloosa, Kansas. Activities will include the classic summer activities such as swimming, shooting sports, handicrafts, STEM and nature exploration.
Each of the above sessions includes a t-shirt, patch, program supplies and food for the registered Scout. A parent or unit leader must also be registered as well.
Our Fun with Family Session is a one day event taking place on July 13, at the Falley Scout Reservation in Oskaloosa, Kansas. and includes an optional overnight option for an additional $10 per family. Activities include the classic summer activities swimming, archery, fishing, shooting sports, and handicrafts. Families choosing the overnight option are responsible for bringing their own food.
Units should plan for their own leaders for the Cub Scouts Akela, Cub Scouts Resident Camp or Webelos Resident Camp. Questions regarding the various camps? Contact Joe Blasko at 785.276-3346 or joseph.blasko@scouting.org
BSA Announces Membership Fee Changes
Effective April 1, 2024, the Boy Scouts of America will eliminate the $25 one-time joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting. They have also increased the regular annual registration fees by $5.00 for youth in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts along with a $5 increase for all adult volunteers. Below is the new fees structure that will take effect on April 1, 2024.
- $85/yr for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouting participants ($5 increase)
- $65/yr for all adult volunteers ($5 increase)
- $25/yr for Merit Badge Counselors (No change in fee. Only for Merit Badge Counselors not already registered as leaders*)
- $50/yr for Exploring participants Youth & Adult (No change in fee)
- $100/yr unit renewal/affiliation fee (No change in fee)
- $15/yr for Scout Life magazine (No change in fee)
*Those adult volunteers that are registered in a unit, district or council position do NOT need to pay an additional $25.00 to be a merit badge counselor. Only those who are solely registered as a merit badge counselor pay the $25.00 annual registration fees. This is to cover annual background checks.