Scouting thriving in the Corridor

By Travis Christopher

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One of the benefits of my job is I get to meet with people in service clubs, meeting rooms and parks throughout the Corridor. I always am asked some variation of this question: “How is scouting ‘doing'?”

In my short time here in Iowa, I am happy to report we are better than ever with youth advancing in our programs while working alongside parents and some of the most committed adult role models instilling character, values, and citizenship in thousands of future leaders.

Over the last few weeks, the national discussion has clouded, and even obscured, the subject of what local scouting actually does for the benefit of youths and families in Eastern Iowa. The Hawkeye Area Council, based in Cedar Rapids, serves more than 7,500 youths in a seven-county service area through the assistance of thousands of adult volunteers. Our organization is chartered by the national council of the Boy Scouts of America to deliver and support our timeless programs.

Part of this charter includes adhering to program policies and youth protection guidelines set forth in that agreement.

With such a large population of families in Eastern Iowa involved in scouting, one of our program strengths is the diversity of backgrounds, skills, viewpoints and beliefs. I have often said that the heart of scouting is in Eastern Iowa.

I make this claim because our scouting membership has been on a steady increase over the last few years. We ended June in the top fifth of all 300 Boy Scout councils nationwide for member growth. We have experienced fundraising growth matched by volunteer oversight and community involvement in our fiscal management.

With a small staff of 14 year-round employees, local community input is invaluable. To illustrate, we are responsible for raising all funds to support local scouting, to the point where our popular fall popcorn sale has a 70 percent return to local scouting.

We have added services that adapt to the modern, changing family, including accident and sickness insurance for scouting families, the addition of a camp for youths with special needs that occurred just this week, and sustained scouting programs in the central neighborhoods of Cedar Rapids, to name a few.

We recently purchased land in Linn County that remains undeveloped to offer our youths an outlet to the outdoors. In addition, we recently added tornado-safe rooms at our camp to promote the safety of our youths.

Our program outcomes remain superior in their delivery with youths in local communities staying in scouting longer than the national average, enabling them to experience the long-term benefits of scouting, such as stronger relationships with family and peers, support of “school ready” academic skills, and program advancement.

Through surveys to scouting parents and caregivers, we have heard the positive results from our adult customers on what local scouting brings to the family unit. For example, initiatives started within the last 18 months, including our campout on May's Island and our growing Trailblazers project, have enabled us to deliver scouting into all communities.

These efforts are all made possible because of you, our Corridor neighbors. We continue to hear the message that LOCAL Scouting is making a difference in our area. Through new partnerships and evolving programs, scouting is here to stay in the corridor.

From our youngest Cub Scout who signs up today to members in our co-ed Venturing program, we say thank you to our volunteers, staff and local supporters!

Travis Christopher of Cedar Rapids is scout executive/CEO of the Hawkeye Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Comments: tchristo@

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