([Vancouver], [Wa], [05/10/04])— Local Scout Troop 48 chartered by Manor Evangelical Church, located in Battle Ground, Washington will launch 40 individually hand-built Kayaks on Monday, May 24, at 7:00 p.m. at Vancouver Lake in Vancouver, Washington.

The youth of Troop 48 have worked for three months to complete the construction of the kayaks. It has taken more dedication and time than the usual weekly troop meetings. Each kayak will be custom painted and many will have an American flag theme.

Scout Troop 48 has 50 registered youth members and is led by 25 adult mentors. Several adult mentors are Merit Badge counselors who provide Scouts the opportunity to gain knowledge and skill in over 100 different areas of expertise. Troop 48 belongs to the Silver Star District of the Boy Scouts of America, Cascade Pacific Council.

“Since it was organized in 1910, Scouting has been dedicated to providing an educational program for youth that instills values, healthy living, character development and lifelong learning,” said Ron Garland, Scout Executive. “Scouting programs continue to provide outstanding service to youth, communities, and families.”

Membership in the Boy Scouts continues to grow. Locally, Cascade Pacific Council has over 15,000 adult mentors helping shape the lives of the 39,000 youth associated with its programs. Those desiring more information about Scouting programs for youth may visit www.cpcbsa.org, or call the council office at 503-226-3423.

Note: Photographs of launch available by contacting Sharon Larson at 360-693-1741 Ext. 738.

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 – TheCascade 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.