When parents look around the landscape of youth organizations, they want to be confident that their kids will have fun. But the parents also want to get a return on their investment — that their kids develop some skills that will prepare them for adulthood. Scouting is one of the best investments they can make.

Chester County Council, BSA is the No. 1 non-sports, youth development, and leadership program chosen by parents in Chester County.

“In 2024, Chester County Council will serve even more youth and their families with innovative and modern programming that will prepare them for meaningful careers for tomorrow’s future and become faithful leaders in their communities,” said Ben Wheeler, the Chester County Council’s Scout Executive/CEO.

Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives.

The Boy Scouts of America provides youth with programs and activities that allow them to:

• try new things
• provide service to others
• build self-confidence
• reinforce ethical standards

While various activities and youth groups teach basic skills and promote teamwork, Scouting goes beyond that and encourages youth to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community.

Scouting provides youth with a sense that they are important as individuals. It is communicated to them that those in the Scouting family care about what happens to them, regardless of whether a game is won or lost.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, peer pressure can be resisted, and the right choices can be made.

Since 1910, Scouting has helped mold the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes and, through more than a century of experience, understands that helping youth puts us on a path toward a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

Scouting, with programs for young men and women, helps meet these six essential needs of the young people growing up in our society:

• mentoring
• lifelong learning
• faith traditions
• serving others
• healthy living
• building character

Here are some highlights of the impact our Scouts have in Chester County:

• In 2023, 191 Scouts earned their Eagle Scout rank. These Eagle projects combined provided more than 29,000 hours of service to the community.
• Our annual Scouting for Food initiative collected more than 28,000 pounds of food around Chester County.
• As we continue to serve more youth, two new female-serving troops were established: one in Spring City and one in Kennett Square.
• More than 2,900 Scouts attended a summer program at the Horseshoe Scout Reservation.

When the entire community embraces annual giving, it serves to strengthen an institution’s culture of philanthropy. These gifts have a profound impact on our youth, and your investment will help the lives of many families in Chester County.

Give a gift to Chester County Council, BSA to help create Leaders for a Lifetime. For more information, please e-mail development@cccbsa.org.