Boy Scouts are as much a part of our country’s culture as apple pie.
Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America is the largest scouting organization in the United States with nearly 2.3 million youth members and 1.1 million registered adult leaders. These members make up the 120,382 local Scout units.
With so many benefits, the organization continues to attract youth and families.
It all begins with Cub Scouts (ages 7-11) and progresses to Boy Scouts (ages 11-17).
VIDEO: Boy Scouts: Build character with fun
Along with the fun is the ideal of character growth, citizenship training and personal fitness. Scouting is a great way to experience new things as a family. Scouting believes in involving the family in the training of youth and having fun together.
There are so many activities a scout can do — camping, fishing, hiking, and community service. Not to mention making new friends who have the same interests.
A great thing about scouting is it still allows boys to participate in other organizations and activities such as school sports. They don’t have to choose. The Boy Scouts work with you to make it sure your son can be a successful scout and athlete.
The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.
Scouting offers young people responsible fun and adventure. It instills lifetime values and develops ethical character, while training young people in citizenship, service and leadership. It serves communities and families with its quality, values-based program.
In addition, the Erie Shores Council has access to one of the premier scouting camps in the nation.
Camp Miakonda recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Purchased and built in 1917, Camp Miakonda is the sixth oldest in the United States. It has 160 acres at the DeVilbiss Scout Reservation in Toledo. The first building erected still stands. The camp from the late 1930s through the early 1950s is considered by some to have been the greatest Boy Scout camp in the country during that period. Its facilities were legendary with the world’s longest swimming pool and tree house campsite.
The Erie Shores Council of Boy Scouts provides outstanding scouting programs to the youth of northwest Ohio in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Wood counties and the town of Swanton in Fulton.
Now is the perfect time to sign up for scouting. Learn more about area Boys Scouts or join by visiting erieshorescouncil.org.
First Published September 19, 2017, 4:00 a.m.
