Scout’s fund ‘drive lagging this year
Published 10:36 pm Saturday, June 9, 2012
Tying knots, shooting arrows and exploring caves are just a few of the things that Boy Scouts get to experience with their packs and troops at camp. To the dismay of the scouts in the Central Alabama region, some scouts may not have the same opportunities in scouting this year due to lack of funding.
The Boy Scouts of America in the Tukabatchee Council, or more specifically the Crane District that serves the tri-county area of Dallas, Perry and Wilcox, is short on funds more so than in years past.
“We are down about $14,000 right now and we are looking for donations of any size — just whatever someone would be able to give to support scouting,” Leith Wilson, Senior District Executive said.
Friends of Scouting, the group’s main fundraising effort, is a program to seek donors who give money to the scouting program. The funds are used for things like training, record keeping and Camp Tukabatchee.
Those who donate, known as Friends of Scouting, are people who are directly involved in scouting, such as parents, or even just people in the community who want to support scouting with their contributions.
Wilson said they raise money from Friends of Scouting from January to the end of June. The total raised thus far is $35,000 against a goal of $49,000.
“We are down more right now than we have been at this time in the past,” Wilson said. “We have had a low turnout for campers in years past because the financial need here is greater than in a lot of other areas.”
Scouts attend summer camp annually and Wilson explained that scholarships for camping, or “camperships,” are needed to send some scouts. The average cost for camp for one scout is $440 but the scouts only have to pay $220 because of the funds raised by Friends of Scouting. Money raised through other fundraisers goes toward the camperships, dropping the price of camp down an additional $100.
Wilson said he thinks the Boys Scouts in the Crane District are an important cause to give to.
“I’m a product of scouting. Growing up and becoming an Eagle Scout— I know what it meant to me in my life and the opportunities I’ve had,” Wilson said. “I see that in so many others that have been in scouting and I would like to offer that to more of our boys and give them something positive as well.”
The Crane District serves over 800 youth annually in Dallas, Perry and Wilcox Counties. They currently have 36 Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops and Venturing Crews that are supported by 170 adult volunteers in the area. In the 70 years that this Boy Scout District has existed, over 750 Boy Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout Award.
Wilson said because of the Boy Scouts of America and the money raised by fundraisers and The Friends of Scouting, these young men can learn things like responsibility and self-reliance.
“We can give them an outlet to learn and grow and be good citizens,” Wilson said.
Contributions can be mailed to 816 Selma Ave. Room No. 5, Selma, AL 36701.