Shenandoah Area Council's Centennial Plans in the News

The Journal from Martinsburg WV posted this article today online.  Thanks to John McVey for his permission to repost here.

Boy Scouts 100th anniversary plans continue to be made

By John McVey, Journal Staff Writer



WINCHESTER, Va. - Local Boy Scouts continue to plan for the 100th anniversary of Scouting next year, organizing events and programs that will kick off early in 2010.

The Boy Scouts of America was founded by William Boyce, a Chicago publisher, who incorporated the outdoor-oriented youth organization on Feb. 8. 1910, in Washington. The BSA grew out of the Boy Scout program founded in England by Gen. Robert Baden-Powell in 1907 and other similar groups operating in the United States at that time.

"The 100th anniversary celebration is ever-growing and its planning is ongoing," Mark Pennington, assistant scout executive for the Shenandoah Area Council, explained at a recent meeting of the council's 100th anniversary public relations committee.

The Shenandoah Area Council includes Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties as well as six counties in Virginia.

"The point is to let the public know that Scouting is alive and well," Pennington continued.

One of the programs now being organized is the BSA Alumni Connection, he said, which is designed to reconnect former members with Scouting and the council.

"The BSA Alumni Connection is to draw back in the millions of people who were in Scouting," Pennington said.

The Alumni Connection program will begin in January. Some events that might be planned for next year include an alumni dinner, a Camp Rock Enon staff reunion, Order of the Arrow reunion and a Call to Eagles.

Rock Enon is the council's camp located near Gore, Va. The Order of the Arrow is a special camping group to which Boy Scouts are elected by their peers. Eagles are Scouts who have attained the highest rank in Scouting.

The BSA Generations Connection, also in the planning stages, is envisioned as a program to inspire individuals to explore the heritage of Scouting in their families. Events recognizing families that have handed Scouting down through the generations are expected to be held during 2010.

Information will be released at a later date explaining how Scouts, their families and former Scouts will be able to participate in the BSA Alumni and Generations programs.

The Shenandoah Area Council History and Museum committee soon will release "100 Years of Scouting in the Shenandoah Valley," highlighting Scouting's heritage throughout the region.

The council's official 100th anniversary celebration will be May 21 to 23, 2010, when the Shenandoah Area Council Scout-a-Rama will be held at the Shenandoah County, Va., Fairgrounds.

Open to the public, the Scout-a-Rama will combine an old fashioned Scout show, camporee, Cub Scout family camp and Venturing/Explorer extravaganza, showcasing Scouting's past and present skills.

Displays, exhibits and demonstrations are expected to be presented by Scouting units from across the council as well as camping, cooking and competitions.

More than 7,000 youth belong to about 185 Scout units in the Shenandoah Area Council. About 2,000 volunteers provide quality Scouting experiences for the members of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Venturing crews and Explorer posts.

Headquartered in Winchester, the council has 10 full-time, year-round employees, consisting of five professional Scouters, four office staff and a year-round camp ranger.

More information about Scouting, the BSA's 100th anniversary and the Shenandoah Area Council is available by calling (540) 662-2551 or visiting www.sac-bsa.org.