Scouts kick off 'Friends of Scouting' campaign Jan. 20

For over 100 years, the mission of Scouting has been to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. As Scouting moves past its great milestone, it must not only look back on its rich history, but also lay the foundation for a strong future.

The 2011 Friends of Scouting Campaign will kick off at Cantigny at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20 at LeJardin Restaurant, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

“Scouting remains strong in Three Fires Council with the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturing, and Exploring program services being provided to over 37,000 youth with help from almost 8,000 volunteers,” said Matt Ackerman, Scout Executive for the Three Fires Council. “343 of young men earned their Eagle Scout Badge – Scouting's highest rank.”

Eagle Scouts alone conducted 55,200 hours of community service or $1,146,750.00 (based on $20.85 Independent Sector value of volunteer time). Scouts also canvassed over 125,000 homes with a fire safety awareness campaign last fall. Communities will never outgrow the need for thoughtful, responsible leadership.

Through the Friends of Scouting Campaign, the Boy Scouts of America, Three Fires Council spends approximately $150 per Scout each year to ensure high quality programs for all of its members. One hundred percent of the funds raised stay local; 77 percent of the annual fund is spent directly on Scout programs and activities, while only 23 percent goes to fundraising and management.

The Friends of Scouting Campaign provides support for the operation and maintenance of camping properties: Camp Big Timber, Camp Freeland Leslie, and the partnership with the Scout Adventure Camp in Rochelle with Des Plaines Valley Council, the Scout Service Center in St. Charles that provides staff support to local units and leaders, two Scout shops, activities and events with affordable fees such as camporees and summer camp programs, adult leader training to ensure that every youth in the Council can have a quality trained leader, and paid accident and liability insurance coverage for all youth and adult leaders.

Friends of Scouting donations can also be made online at: https://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=iwKWJ9NXJxF&b=407757&en=fjKKI6OJI8LTL3NFIlL4KiPQJcJNJZMFJiK2KgNPIlK9E

The Three Fires Council serves over 37,200 youth throughout Kane, DuPage, Kendall, DeKalb, and parts of Will and Cook counties. Its mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. For more information, visit www.threefirescouncil.org.