Strong Values, Strong Leaders Boy Scouts Still Going Strong After 94 Years

([Portland], [Or], [01/28/04])— The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) celebrates 94 years of service during Scouting Anniversary Week, February 8-14. 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 Anniversary Week activities get under way February 8 with Scout Sunday. Scout Sabbath services concludes the week's activities on February 14.

“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.

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

About the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America

The Cascade Pacific Council is the twelfth largest council (out of 319) in terms of membership. The Cascade Pacific Council serves more than 47,800 youth in 18 counties in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and is supported by more than 15,900 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 approximately 340,000 pounds of usable clothing and household goods for Goodwill Industries.

Camping Program – The Cascade Pacific Council has one of the strongest outdoor camping programs in the country, camping 11,000 boys at 9 summer resident camps and 10 day camps last year.

Scouting for Food – Over 11,000 Scouts collected 494,000 pounds of food for local hunger relief agencies through the Scouting for Food drive.

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.

Community Service – Scouts contributed more than 1.3 million hours of service to local communities last year.

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.

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