([ Portland], [Or], [02/14/05])— The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) celebrates 95 years of service during Scouting Anniversary Week, February 6 - 12. In celebration, local Scouts across the nation will participate in special ceremonies and award presentations designed to highlight the service Scouts and Scouting volunteers provide in their communities.
“The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America has not changed since its earliest days,” said Chief Scout Executive Roy L. Williams. “That stability and clarity of mission is one reason Scouting is as successful as it is today."
“Scouting focuses on mentoring youth, service to the community, and helping young people to make better decisions throughout their lives,” said Cascade Pacific Council Scout Executive Ron Garland. “Those attributes have never been more important than they are today.”
The BSA was founded in Great Britain in 1907 by British military hero Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Two years later, William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher traveling in London, became lost in a fog. A young boy helped him find his way. When Boyce thanked the boy for his aid and offered him a tip, the boy explained that it was his duty as a Scout to help others, and he declined the tip.
Impressed with the boy’s actions, Boyce met with Baden-Powell and laid the groundwork to bring Scouting to the United States. With the help of Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, and James E. West, the Boy Scouts of America was established on February 8, 1910.
Today, more than 3 million youth enjoy the fun and excitement of Scouting. For more information about the Boy Scouts of America, please contact the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America, at 503-226-3423.
About the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America
The Cascade Pacific Council ranks among the nation’s largest Scout councils (more than 300) in terms of membership. The Cascade Pacific Council serves more than 48,153 youth in 18 counties in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and is supported by more than 15,525 adult volunteer mentors.
Local Boy Scouts of America Accomplishments
This last year (2004), Scouts of the Cascade Pacific Council reached out to the community and achieved the following outstanding accomplishments:
Goodwill/Good Turn – Scouts collected 368,507 pounds of usable clothing and household goods for Goodwill Industries in 2004. Over the past ten years, 4.6 million pounds have been collected.
Camping Program – TheCascade Pacific Council has one of the strongest outdoor camping programs in the country, camping 11,714 boys at seven summer resident camps and ten day camps last year.
Scouting for Food – Scouts collected 450,000 pounds of food for local hunger relief agencies through the Scouting for Food drive in December 2004.
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 $21,305 in scholarships was awarded to 486 youth members for summer camp.
Harris Interactive Study– Men who were Scouts for five or more years as boys are more likely than men with no Scouting experience:
- Graduate from high school (98% versus 83%)
- Graduate from college (40% versus 16%)
- Earn annual household incomes of $50,000+ (33% versus 17%).
Visit www.cpcbsa.org or call 503-226-3423 to learn more about the Boy Scouts of America.
Boy Scouts of America - Connecting youth with communities and families.
This page last modified
February 16, 2005
