Scouts Unite for Massive Campout

([ Portland], [Or], [04/16/04])-Over 350 Scouts (approximately 15 units) and adult Scout mentors will unite at Butte Creek Scout Ranch during the weekend of April 30-May 2 for the annual Columbia Gorge District Camporee. Scouts spend the weekend outdoors sharing fellowship, friendly competitions and the Scouting spirit. Scouts from the Columbia Gorge District of the Boy Scouts of America, Cascade Pacific Council live and provide community service in east Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, and surrounding areas.

Campout events will be offered that teach skills designed to challenge all Scouts of all levels. The camporee will include high adventure and competitive activities. Since Boy Scout troops are organized under the leadership of senior youth leaders, young people gain experience to be positive mentors.

Youth, ages 7 - 17, interested in joining Scouting are encouraged to attend. Scouting families are invited to 'shop around' and find the unit that best meets their needs. There are Scouting programs for boys 7 - 20 years of age and for girls 14 - 20. There will be displays on Scouting activities, and Scout representatives will be present to provide information on meeting nights, locations, and exciting summer camp programs.

Currently, over 1,300 Scouts are served by the Columbia Gorge District, and they belong to over 85 different units. Acting as advisors to these Boy Scout programs are over 860 registered adult mentors who provide character education and citizenship training to youth through weekly activities or meetings. On average, the Columbia Gorge District produces over 18 Eagle Scouts per year.

Families wanting more information are urged to call the local Scout office, contact District Executive Jeff Aradine at 360-693-1741 or jaradine@cpcbsa.org. For more information, visit the web site at www.cpcbsa.org.

 About the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America

The Cascade Pacific Council ranks among the nation’s largest Scout councils (out of 319) in terms of membership. The Cascade Pacific Council serves more than 47,889 youth in 18 counties in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and is supported by more than 15,902 adult volunteer mentors.

Local Boy Scouts of America Accomplishments

This last year (2003) Scouts of the Cascade Pacific Council reached out to the community and achieved the following outstanding accomplishments:

 Goodwill/Good Turn – Scouts collected 362,895 pounds of usable clothing and household goods for Goodwill Industries in 2004. Over the past ten years, 4.2 million pounds have been collected.

 Camping Program – The Cascade Pacific Council has one of the strongest outdoor camping programs in the country, camping 11,000 boys at seven summer resident camps and ten day camps last year.

 Scouting for Food – Scouts collected 519,766 pounds of food for local hunger relief agencies through the Scouting for Food drive in December 2003.

 Guy Miller Tree Plant – Over 2,500 youth and family members planted nearly 37,500 tree seedlings in our forests and neighborhoods in support of the Guy Miller Tree Plant program. Since 1977, this program has accounted for the planting of more than 2 million trees.

 Violence Free Spring Break – In partnership with the Portland Police Bureau, the Police Activities League, Multnomah County, Boys and Girls Club, and other organizations, the Cascade Pacific Council has planned, coordinated and staffed special events like “Violence Free Spring Break.” Over 375 youth were served for this event alone. These events use Scouting facilities and curriculums to deliver positive, values-based programs.

Outreach – Over $29,930 in scholarships was awarded to over 536 youth members for summer camp.

Boy Scouts of America - Connecting youth with communities and families.