BSA Expands to a Family Scouting Experience

October 11, 2017
 
Dear Scouting Family,
 
            The Palmetto Council has a proud tradition of delivering quality program experiences that develop children into productive adults who practice lives of citizenship and service to others. Please take a moment to review the press release below from the BSA National Council regarding changes to the Scouting program coming in 2018.
 
Many of our local volunteers and parents have expressed their support of this move since the conversation began last May. We look forward to conducting orientation sessions for the new initiatives as the information becomes available.  
 
            Thank you for all that you do in making a difference in the lives of children!
 
With Warm Regard,

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Greg W. Leitch
Scout Executive / CEO
 
 
Irving, Texas – October 11, 2017 – Today, the Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors unanimously approved to welcome girls into its iconic Cub Scout program and to deliver a Scouting program for older girls that will enable them to advance and earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout. The historic decision comes after years of receiving requests from families and girls, the organization evaluated the results of numerous research efforts, gaining input from current members and leaders, as well as parents and girls who’ve never been involved in Scouting – to understand how to offer families an important additional choice in meeting the character development needs of all their children.

“This decision is true to the BSA’s mission and core values outlined in the Scout Oath and Law. The values of Scouting – trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind, brave and reverent, for example – are important for both young men and women,” said Michael Surbaugh, the BSA’s Chief Scout Executive. “We believe it is critical to evolve how our programs meet the needs of families interested in positive and lifelong experiences for their children. We strive to bring what our organization does best – developing character and leadership for young people – to as many families and youth as possible as we help shape the next generation of leaders.”

Families today are busier and more diverse than ever. Most are dual-earners and there are more single-parent households than ever before [1], making convenient programs that serve the whole family more appealing. Additionally, many groups currently underserved by Scouting, including the Hispanic and Asian communities, prefer to participate in activities as a family. Recent surveys [2] of parents not involved with Scouting showed high interest in getting their daughters signed up for programs like Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, with 90 percent expressing interest in a program like Cub Scouts and 87 percent expressing interest in a program like Boy Scouts.  Education experts also evaluated the curriculum and content and confirmed relevancy of the program for young women.

“The BSA’s record of producing leaders with high character and integrity is amazing” said Randall Stephenson, BSA’s national board chairman. “I’ve seen nothing that develops leadership skills and discipline like this organization.  It is time to make these outstanding leadership development programs available to girls.”  Starting in the 2018 program year, families can choose to sign up their sons and daughters for Cub Scouts. Existing packs may choose to establish a new girl pack, establish a pack that consists of girl dens and boy dens or remain an all-boy pack.  Cub Scout dens will be single-gender — all boys or all girls. Using the same curriculum as the Boy Scouts program, the organization will also deliver a program for older girls, which will be announced in 2018 and projected to be available in 2019, that will enable them to earn the Eagle Scout rank. This unique approach allows the organization to maintain the integrity of the single gender model while also meeting the needs of today’s families.

This decision expands the programs that the Boy Scouts of America offers for both boys and girls. Although known for its iconic programs for boys, the BSA has offered co-ed programs since 1971 through Exploring and the Venturing program, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2018. The STEM Scout pilot program is also available for both boys and girls.
For more information about the expanded opportunities for family Scouting, please visit the family Scouting page.
 
 
[1] PEW Research Center survey conducted Sept. 15 – Oct. 13, 2015 among 1,807 U.S. parents with children younger than 18.
[2] BSA surveys included two external Harris surveys and four internal surveys conducted from April to September 2017. Surveys were conducted online.

Todd Davis to return to Palmetto Council Staff as Daniel Morgan Senior District Executive

Todd Davis selected to serve as the
Daniel Morgan District Senior District Executive

Starting June 1, 2017, Todd Davis will return to the Palmetto Council staff as the Senior District Executive of the Daniel Morgan District.  Todd has served on the Blue Ridge Council staff for the past two years at the Senior District Executive of the Southbounder District.  Previously Todd served as the District Executive of the Catawba District in the Palmetto Council.  Join us in welcoming Todd and his family back to our Palmetto Council Scouting Family! 


Todd Davis attended the University of South Carolina Upstate, receiving a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with focuses in Non-Profit Administration and Recreational Management.

Todd has been involved in Boy Scouts for 32 years as a youth and an adult. In that time he earned the Arrow of light, Eagle Scout with three palms, Exploring Gold Award, and Religious Award.  He previously served as the District Executive for the Catawba District in the Palmetto Council for the past 3 years and Senior District Executive for Southbounder District in Blue Ridge Council.

Before starting work with the Boy Scouts Todd served as the Aquatics Director for the Pine Street / Thomas E Hanna YMCA in Spartanburg for 5 Years.

Todd is a member of the Order of the Arrow as a Vigil member and has received the Founders Award. Other Boy Scout history includes Wood Badge (Bear Patrol), has attended Philmont Training Center twice (once for NJLIC and once for COPE instructor/inspector school), Camp School for Ecology and Conservation, Third Asst. Scout Master to Sea Base and 1997 National Jamboree.

Originally from Leavittsburg, Ohio, Todd moved to South Carolina in 2001 after living in Florida for a year. 

Palmetto Council NESA Chapter Honoring 2017 National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) Class

2017 NESA National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) Reception 

The Palmetto Council NESA Chapter requests the honor of your company as we present Luther W. Dasher, Wes Hayes and Daniel Malphurs with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award.  Please join us for a reception in their honor at Grace Lutheran Church (426 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29730) at 6:00 PM  on Saturday, June 24, 2017.  An RSVP is required to attend the reception.  Please RSVP via this website or by calling Morgan Hawkins at (864) 585-4391.  

Fall Recruitment Sign-up!

This fall the Palmetto Council will our annual recruitment campaign.  The council will approach the schools as normal inviting potential Scouts to join.  The joining meetings will be held at each elementary school.  Joining nights will vary by school district.  In August we will have training at Roundtable.  Please list your recruitment contact and pack information below so we can send you more details as they become available.  Pack should submit this information by July 1, 2017.