Greetings fellow Scouters,

 As we near the end of a great Scouting year and get ready for an exciting summer of camping and unit activities, we want to bring you up to speed on a developing opportunity for the Revolutionary Trails (RTC) Council. Working with the Otschodela Council (OC), we began a comprehensive and detailed feasibility study to examine the possible consolidation of our two Councils into one. On two previous occasions the Councils conducted similar feasibility studies and concluded that the timing was not right. Given the current landscape of Scouting and the unique situations of OC and RTC it was decided that now was the time to give the matter further consideration. We would like to share the genesis of this idea, how the feasibility study is being conducted and planned next steps. Although the schedule is fast and the movement is significant we are still looking for input.  

How did this idea come about?

Both Councils are in a unique position. Last December, following a comprehensive year-long evaluation process, the RTC Executive Board voted overwhelmingly in favor of selling two of its three Scout camps to ensure a sustainable camping program at Camp Kingsley for both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. The OC long-time Scout Executive is retiring this summer after a remarkable tenure of service. Additionally, the OC has begun a $2.1 Million capital campaign to further develop its excellent scout camp - Henderson Scout Reservation. These actions have left both Councils looking to maximize efficiency, to get more youth to camp and to develop exciting new programming for the youth they serve.

 At the Area 3 Sustainability Conference, representatives from the OC heard about the RTC camp sale decision and approached them about sending RTC Scouts to Henderson. With declining membership nationally, both councils were looking for ways to boost attendance at their respective camps. Given the difficult RTC decision to sell two camps and retain as many youth as possible at their remaining Camp Kingsley, the RTC declined the offer. However, this discussion set in motion further dialogue leading to the suggestion of a new and combined Council. By consolidating two strong councils, both would be able to retain youth at their camps while leveraging the significant financial resources of both Councils for new programming.

The Feasibility Study Process

To analyze this consolidation, there are MANY issues that need to be explored. Both Councils spent the last month looking at the challenges and opportunities. The National BSA office was contacted and provided comprehensive guidelines and resources for use in the study. As part of the study, representatives from both Councils formed five committees to look at  the feasibility and practicality of this consolidation. The number one consideration - will this consolidation provide a better Scouting experience for our youth?  The committees are working independently of each other, and are represented on a weekly conference call to provide status updates to the entire group. The five committees are: Camping, Governance/Administration, Commissioners, Finance and Communications/Marketing. Each Committee operates from a task list of items provided by the National office. These comprehensive task lists ensure that every facet of a proposed consolidation is looked at in detail prior to moving forward.

Summer camp is the catalyst for this discussion. With enrollment down, the Councils need to offer an exciting camp opportunity for Council Scouts. The initial idea is to have Boy Scouts attend Henderson Scout Reservation (currently the subject of a $2.1 Million capital improvement campaign), while Camp Kingsley could continue to be utilized as a Cub Scout camp as well as a Specialty Camp for the many new program features that the RTC has envisioned offering in the future. This would enable us to leverage the unique features and advantages of each property, and could dramatically increase attendance at both camps to allow for a great Scouting experience.

Next Steps

The leadership of both Councils have met with their Board or Executive Committee and voted unanimously to conduct the feasibility study. Both Councils are 100% behind this exploratory process and understand that this is the first step in future discussions. Each of the five committees will present their findings to the entire workgroup. At that point, it will be determined whether or not we continue to pursue the initiative. More information is needed before final recommendations can be made.  As the committees follow the guidelines provided by National, we can be certain that the decisions reached will be well researched and thought out. In anticipation of the work group progress the Revolutionary Trails  Council will be conducting a meeting to provide information to our Scouts, Scouters, Chartered partners and interested community members.  This meeting will take place as part of the Annual Program Launch scheduled for June 25, 6:30 - 9:00pm at the Westmoreland Central School. Additional meetings will be scheduled based on level of interest.

Final Thought

There will be those who see this discussion as strangely coincidental given the decision by the RTC to sell two camps; some will say that "this was the plan all along". Nothing could be further from the truth. This is simply an opportunity that arose out of a discussion between the two Councils on how to create a better Scouting experience for youth. If the feasibility study recommends a positive result, then the potential benefit to our Scouts will far outweigh the possible poor timing of this initiative.  

Mergers and acquisitions often happen when a distressed entity is absorbed by a more successful one; however, that is not the case here. Both Councils are financially healthy with strong endowments. A consolidation may allow for greater cost efficiency, shared best practices and a more robust experience for our Scouters.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either Steve McEwan (StevenK.McEwan@scouting.org) at the Revolutionary Trails Council or Tom Wright (ThomasL.Wright@scouting.org) at the Otschodela Council.

Yours in Scouting,

William Kline, Revolutionary Trails Council President                  

Rick Bamberger, Otschodela Council President

Unfortunately, we will be cancelling Cub Scout Summer Family camp that was to be held June 13-14 at Camp Kingsley. If you have any questions, please click here to email Cory Jenner.

Display Cases and Bulletin Boards

Materials: Pack calendar with contact names and telephone numbers, photographs, awards, pinewood derby cars, ribbons and any other exciting visuals.

Timing:  Promotion of Cub Scouting at the beginning of the school year is very important. This is the time of year when most families decide to join new activities. If possible the display should be maintained year-round and changed monthly.

Steps: Seek permission from the library, school, church, recreation center or other organization to use the display case. Many schools have such cases near the entrance doors. Have a person from your pack responsible for setting up the display and changing it once a month during the year.  

Each month should have a monthly theme with catch phrases to attract attention. The display items should go along with the monthly theme. The display should be fun and informative and create a sense of excitement about the Scouting program. If access to display case all year round is not possible, using it in the beginning of the school year would be the best time.