Scouting America, formerly Boy Scouts of America, is the nation’s foremost youth program, providing young people with unique opportunities focused on character development, leadership, fun and outdoor exploration. The non-profit’s mission is 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. The Scout Law states that a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. The Scout Oath states, “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
Our own Gulf Coast Council serves more than 2,500 youth throughout eight counties in the Florida panhandle and three counties in Alabama.
On February 8, the organization celebrated its 115th birthday, marking a pivotal moment in its journey as it officially adopts its new name, Scouting America. The organization continues to adapt to meet the evolving needs of young people, ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to benefit from this transformative program.
For more than a century, Scouting America’s mission has remained the same: 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. Whether it’s a camping trip, a pinewood derby car race, or a trail hike, every adventure encourages personal growth by teaching youth how to set goals and achieve them with determination. As we look to the future, Scouting America is dedicated to providing young people with the values, skills, and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“Scouting America has helped instill timeless values for multiple generations of Americans,” said Roger Krone, Scouting America president and CEO. “In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the values and skills instilled by Scouting are more critical than ever, and the need for strong character, ethical decision-making, and effective leadership remains paramount. As we celebrate 115 years of service to our nation, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment where young people can develop these essential qualities, empowering them to reach their full potential and preparing them to become responsible and engaged citizens.”
Scouting America has remained committed to providing youth with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills, create lifelong memories, and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. In fact, more than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting America programs since our founding in 1910. Currently, more than 1 million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
“Scouting programs for young men and women ages 5-20 provide an exceptional opportunity for quality time for the families of the Emerald Coast,” says Steve Williams, Gulf Coast Council Scout Executive and CEO. “Scouting allows families to experience the outdoors in a safe environment, where they can strengthen bonds and build lifelong memories. These programs provide the unique ability for families to grow together.
Through Scouting, young people learn leadership skills, communication skills, civility, self-reliance, and teamwork. No other program can provide more well-rounded programming to improve schools, communities, and lives.”
Scouting America invites families, individuals, and communities nationwide to join its mission. In our area, the Choctawhatchee District, part of the Gulf Coast Council, serves Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Meetings are held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville. For more information, visit https://gulfcoastcouncil.org/council-information/lake-sands-district-2/ or contact district chairman Drew Bowman at drew.bowman@bit-wizards.com.
Perhaps you come from a family with a Scouting tradition or are considering Scouting for the first time. To learn more, visit www.BeAScout.org.
Register for the Gulf Coast Council’s 5th Annual Shooting for Scouts Series
Whether you’re a clay-shooting ace or a big fan of supporting youth in the area, this event brings together shooters and community members to benefit the Gulf Coast Council’s efforts.
This year’s series takes place on two separate days: one in Holt and another in Panama City Beach. Each event will include team-versus-team clay shooting competitions, with the top three places earning commemorative plaques. Youth competitors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and all participants must bring their own guns and ammo. Food will be prepared and served to attendees by Scouts from Troop 78 based in Milton.
Individuals and teams are welcome to register, and those who want to attend both days can select the “Complete Series” to save 15% on registration costs. Businesses and local organizations are also invited to support the Gulf Coast Council through various sponsorship opportunities for each event.
When:
Event 1 – April 5, 2025
Event 2 – April 26, 2025
Where:
Event 1 – The Element Training Complex, 4418 Cooper Lane, Holt, FL 32564
Event 2 – Bay County Shooting Range, 10900 Steel Field Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
To Register:
Event 1 – https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/773/event/627/register
Event 2 – https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/773/event/634/register
