By Brenden Curry

The Chester County Council, Scouts BSA is optimistic as it heads into the home stretch of its fundraising efforts for its forthcoming Program, Activity, and Resource Campus (PARC) in Exton. The new building will be named the Daniel Tabas Family Program Center, named after the man and his family who donated the property.

“It was a perfect match because we can construct a building that we need on the property, as well as utilize the property around it for outdoor programs,” said Jeff Spencer, the Chester County Council’s Scout Executive.

Spencer said that, out of 262 councils across the country, Chester County’s is “pretty unique” in what it is doing. Whereas most councils have to travel to find outdoor space for summer camps, PARC will host them.

“I can’t speak for every council, but most don’t have 28 acres of the outdoors in a suburban setting to utilize,” Spencer said.

Valeri Boclair, the Vice President of Marketing for the Chester County Council, said that the Scouts need to raise another $1 million within the next year to reach their vision of completing the $5.8 million project.

IMC Construction has been selected as the general contractor for the building, and construction is expected to begin early in 2020 and be completed later in the year.

“We are building for the future,” Boclair said.

Spencer indicated that a portion of the $1 million will come from selling the old property in East Goshen Township. The rest of the funds will come from donations and fundraising efforts by the Scouts. He said that any donation to the PARC project will help the Chester County Council accomplish its mission of preparing young people to make moral and ethical choices in their lifetimes. Also, PARC will make Scouting visible in the community and attract new people to the program.

“By investing in PARC, you enable us to continue and even enhance our ability locally to provide Scouting to as many youths as possible,” he said.

The Chester County Council’s aging facility in East Goshen Township outgrew the evolving needs of the local troops.

Boclair is thankful for the people who’ve already invested in the project. To her and the Scouts, it says a lot to the commitment they have received from the community, as many have bought into the vision of PARC.

PARC will include retail, meeting, and administrative spaces for the Chester County Council in the middle of a 28-acre property surrounded by wetlands. Ultimately, the facility will be an all-purpose venue open to all Chester County residents and organizations to utilize. Business professionals who are training employees on leadership are an example of the multiuse potential this project will bring to the county.

The second floor will be the Dick and Carol Vermeil Leadership Center, a space dedicated for STEM learning and named after the former Eagles coach. The new home of the Chester County Council will also form partnerships with local schools.

Click here to make a donation to help make PARC a reality.