Friends of Scouting
Why Your Help is Needed:
The Gerald R. Ford Council provides to our 213 Cub Scout Packs, 164 Boy Scout Troops, 81 Venturing Crews, 15 Explorer Posts and 18 Learning for Life Units with continuous direct services throughout the Scouting year. Here are twenty-three examples worthy of your support:
- Recruitment and free basic training of volunteer leaders in your unit.
- Youth camperships to help youth in need get to Scout camp.
- Liability insurance coverage for all registered volunteers.
- Accident and sickness insurance for all Scouts and leaders.
- Year round Scout camp outdoor educational opportunities for your unit.
- Annual recognition programs for Eagle Scout, Silver Award and Arrow of Light recipients.
- Annual recruitment of over 5,000 new Scouting youth and families.
- Providing staff and programs for Gerber Boy Scout Camp, Cub Scout / Webelos Adventureland, Traveling Cub Scout Day Camp, Roving Scout Camp and DeVos Venture Base.
- Supporting almost 6,000 Scouts and leaders in Scoutreach inner city and rural programs.
- Active volunteer criminal background checks and youth protection system.
- National BSA Scout Store to serve our Scouting families and communities.
- Council Web site, resource library and monthly communication pieces for Scouting leaders and families.
- Toll free number, fax number and e-mail site for Scout, family, leader, and community contact with Council.
- All Council and District programs and activities are 100% underwritten by the Council to lower the total fees charged to all youth.
- Electronic unit recharter for your unit leadership.
- Unit and youth advancement and membership history records.
- Two-year Council calendar and unit program planning materials provided free to your unit.
- Year round operation of the DeVos Family Center for Scouting and Gerber Scout Camp as a unit resource.
- On-going community fundraising to significantly reduce actual Scouting direct service costs from being passed on to families or Scout units.
- Employment of a full time professional and support team to provide continuous support, service, guidance and growth of quality Scouting to over 27,000 youth and 7,000 volunteers annually.
- Council conducted annual popcorn sale to assist with Unit funding efforts.
- Opportunities for Scouts and Venturers to participate in National and International Scouting events (like Jamboree, Philmont, Sea Base) supported through the Council program teams.
- National Honor Scouting program – Order of the Arrow – administered locally for our Scouts and leaders meeting joining requirements.
And the absolutely best reason is: ensuring the continued growth and success of Scouting throughout our twelve county areas, so that your child and thousands of others are exposed to the values based programs and training of the Boy Scouts of America.
Download the 2009 FOS Flyer