Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Greetings from the Suwannee River Area Council!

We are pleased to provide youour 2017 Suwannee River Area Council, Boy Scouts of America Annual Report. The quality of our Scouting program remains strong, as we continue to serve 1,937 youth. 2017 marked the 94th year the Suwannee River Area Council has been serving youth in 13 Counties: Seminole, Decatur, Grady, Thomas, Colquitt, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Franklin, Leon, Gadsden, and Liberty.

The values found in the Scout Oath and Law have become the compass that guides young people along the path to responsible adulthood. These values are needed now more than ever. In our culture and our world, these values become the foundation needed to overcome everyday challenges. Truly, these values are the foundation for a successful life.

Scout Oath
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.

Scout Law

The Scout Law has 12 points. Each is a goal for every Scout. A Scout tries to live up to the Law every day. It is not always easy to do, but a Scout always tries.

A Scout is:

TRUSTWORTHY. Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you.

LOYAL. Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.

HELPFUL. Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.

FRIENDLY. Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.

COURTEOUS. Be polite to everyone and always use good manners.

KIND. Treat others as you want to be treated . Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.

OBEDIENT. Follow the rules of your family, school, and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.

CHEERFUL. Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. Try to help others be happy.

THRIFTY. Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.

BRAVE. Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.

CLEAN. Keep your body and mind fit . Help keep your home and community clean.

REVERENT. Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others.

2017 Accomplishments:

Membership:
• 1,937 youth participated in programs this year.
• 960 adult volunteers served as role models for our youth members.
•There were 85 units registered this year – Packs, Troops, Crews, and Posts.
• 69 Scouts earned their Eagle Scout award and completed 8,262 service hours.

Finance:
•Ended the year with a deficit in operating income.
•Hosted a successful 2017 Golden Eagle Community Dinner.

•Conducted the Council’s 5th Boy Scout Sporting Clays raising $8,000 for Scouting Programs.

•The Council Popcorn salegrossed $114,900 in sales.

•The Council’s Camp Card Program sold 2,000 cards, grossing $20,000 for Scouting programs.

Scoutreach:
•Scoutreach is outreach Scouting targeting at-risk, urban, rural, and other under-represented populations.
•Scoutreach insures that Scouting is for everyone – 10% of Suwannee River Area Council members are minority (5.7% African-American and 2.7% Hispanic, Asian and other) and 5.8% are female.
• 19 at-risk youth members participated in the Scoutreach Program in 2017.

Learning for Life:
• 71youth participated in Exploring, our worksite-based Career Education program, in 5 units.

Quality Programs and Training:
• 60% of top adult leaders have been completely trained for their position.
•49% of Scouting units have earned the National BSA Quality Unit recognition.

Camping and Activities:
• 577 youth and adult volunteers participated in programs at Wallwood Scout Reservation.
• 204 Boy Scouts attended 2-week-long Summer Camp sessions at Camp Wallwood.
•141 Cub Scouts attended Cub Scout Day Camp in the Suwannee River Area Council.
• 286 Cub Scouts and their family members participated in 2 Cub Family Weekends at Camp Wallwood.
•Scouts collected over 13,500 pounds of food for local food pantries during our Annual Scouting for Food Drive.