The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.

Specifically, the BSA endeavors to develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have personal values based on religious concepts; have the desire and skills to help others; understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation’s role in the world; have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society.

Here in Colquitt County, the United Way provides Scouting an avenue with the annual allocation it gives. The allocation helps the Suwannee River Area Council (Tallahassee, Fla.) maintain its main camping facility, Wallwood Scout Reservation. The reservation contains 603 acres on Lake Talquin in Quicy, Fla. Many facilities include modern air-conditioned bunk houses, air-conditioned dining hall, health lodge, boat dock and tent campsites. Two of its main attractions are a swimming pool and a high ropes course. Wallwood is attended yearly by Colquitt County Scouts for a long-term camping experience in June and Cub Scout Family Weekends held twice a year.

With the United Way support, the council is able to provide assistance to local units with training, resource materials, local and national tour permits, on-line rechartering of units and on-line advancements. A paid scouting professional works directly with Colquit County Scout units to ensure that the youth receive a fun-filled and quality program. We also provides adult leaders and scouts a fully functional retail scout shop where they can purchase uniforms, books, crafts, camping equipment and ranks.

Many youth in Colquitt County reap the benefits of the core values of Cub Scouting, Scout Oath and Law. The Cub Scouting program involves young people with the kind of friends you would like them to have, working with adults of good character who will be positive role models to them. Scouting teaches respect for other people, respect for oneself, and respect for God and country — all vital to our nation’s future. Cub Scouting is a home- and neighborhood-centered program designed to support and encourage quality family involvement for boys in the first through fifth grades. Each Cub Scout learns to respect his home, country, and other people. The program also helps boys this age to:

• Learn new physical skills through sports, crafts, and games.

• Learn how to get along with others through group activities.

• Develop new mental skills such as writing and calculating.

• Develop personal independence.

• Learn to make values-based decisions that assist them throughout their adult life.

Boy Scouting is a year-round program for boys age 11-17. Boys who are 10 may join if they have received the Arrow of Light Award or have finished the fifth grade. Boy Scouting is a program of fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities, and a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests, all designed to achieve the BSA’s objectives of strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship.

Then make a decision: Is Scouting worth your family’s time? I know you will make the same decision that many have made before you, and enroll your son in America’s finest youth program.

Now is your chance to get your son involved and signed up for Scouting!

For more information visit www.suwanneeriver.net or call Kevin McMurrian at The Boy Scouts of America in Tallahassee, at (850) 576-4146 to get a listing of your local Scout units.