BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA #204 BLUEGRASS COUNCIL

THE BLUE GRASS COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, SERVES 55 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL, SOUTHERN, AND EASTERN KENTUCKY. ANNUALLY, MORE THAN 10,000 YOUTH WILL BE SERVED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THOUSANDS OF REGISTERED ADULT VOLUNTEER LEADERS AND SMALL STAFF. THE GOAL OF THE BOY SCOUTS IS TO TRAIN YOUTHS IN RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND SELF-RELIANCE THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN A WIDE RANGE OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND, AT OLDER AGE LEVELS, CAREER-ORIENTED PROGRAMS, ALL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.THE CUB SCOUT PROGRAM IS A HANDS-ON, LEARN-BY-DOING, FAMILY-FOCUSED PROGRAM. CUB SCOUTS IS STRUCTURED TO ACTIVELY INVOLVE PARENTS IN TEACHING THEIR SONS VALUES, SKILLS AND CITIZENSHIP. THE PROGRAM IS FOR YOUTHS FROM FIRST THROUGH FIFTH GRADE. IN FAMILY, SMALL AND LARGE GROUP ACTIVITIES, YOUTHS WORK AT LEARNING NEW SKILLS AND INFORMATION TO EARN BADGES, BELT LOOPS AND RANK ADVANCEMENTS. EACH BADGE HAS ELEMENTS OF TEACHING/LEARNING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. THE BOY SCOUT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO BE AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR YOUTH (11-18) WHICH BUILDS CHARACTER, CITIZENSHIP AND PREPARES YOUTHS FOR LIFE. YOUTH INVESTIGATE SELF-CHOSEN FIELDS OF INTEREST, INCLUDING VOCATIONAL AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, WITH QUALIFIED COUNSELORS IN THE SUBJECTS. THROUGH THE USE OF THE "PATROL METHOD," YOUTH LEARN LEADERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING SKILLS. THE LESSONS FROM THE INDIVIDUAL, SMALL AND LARGE GROUP WORK, AND MERIT BADGE EFFORTS ARE TESTED AND PRACTICED THROUGH SCOUTING AND LIFE EXPERIENCES. PLANNING, GOAL SETTING, LEARNING, AND FOLLOW-THROUGH ARE CRITICAL ELEMENTS AS YOUTH EARN MERIT BADGES AND RANK ADVANCEMENTS. THE VENTURING PROGRAM IS AN EFFECTIVE COED YOUNG-ADULT (14-20) PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE CHARACTER, CITIZENSHIP, AND FITNESS. VENTURERS EXERCISE LEADERSHIP, CITIZENSHIP, FITNESS, AND SOCIAL SKILLS THROUGH OUTDOOR HIGH-ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ENDEAVORS. VENTURING PROVIDES A VARIETY OF CHALLENGING ACTIVITIES TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE THE REAL-WORLD MEANING OF VALUES, ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING, AND LIFE SKILLS.THE BLUE GRASS COUNCIL IS A 501C(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FUNDED WITH SUPPORT FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES. ANNUAL GIVING (FRIENDS OF SCOUTING) IS A CRITICAL SOURCE OF INCOME. GIFTS ARE RECEIVED FROM INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, SOME CIVIC CLUBS, AND PARENTS. PRODUCT SALE (POPCORN AND CAMP CARDS) IS ALSO A VERY SIGNIFICANT FUNDING SOURCE. OTHER SIGNIFICANT SOURCES OF REVENUE INCLUDE CAMPING AND ACTIVITY FEES, SCOUT SHOP REVENUE, UNITED WAY SUPPORT, AND SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDING BRAVE THE BLUE AND THE SPORTING CLAYS CLASSIC. THE COUNCIL ALSO RECEIVES SOME INCOME FROM FOUNDATIONS, LEGACIES, AND BEQUESTS, AND OUR SMALL ENDOWMENT. THE COUNCIL ESTIMATES IT COSTS $200 FOR EVERY SCOUT IT SERVES.