ScoutReach
WHAT IS SCOUTREACH?
ScoutReach gives special leadership and emphasis to urban and rural Scouting programs. ScoutReach is the Boy Scouts of America's commitment to making sure that all young people have an opportunity to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background.
SCOUTREACH MISSION
Our mission is to recruit strong adult leaders, to develop solid relationships with churches and civic organizations in urban and rural communities, and to ensure that culturally diverse youth have the opportunity to join the Scouting program.
SCOUTREACH VISION STATEMENT
ScoutReach reflects the diversity of the urban and rural neighborhoods and communities that it serves and uses that strength to enhance customer satisfaction and enrich the Scouting experience.
SCOUTREACH VALUES
Respect for the Community:
Treating all people with respect and dignity through honesty and openness to the needs of the community.
Commitment:
Dedicating ourselves to the mission of the BSA and the Scout Oath and Law.
Excellence:
Putting forth our very best effort in support of Scouting in our service of the youth, families, and communities of America.
SCOUTING, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY CHILD
Today, young people are faced with many challenges including fragile families and disintegrating neighborhoods.Scouting, by emphasizing ethics and moral values, addresses many of the social concerns of parents and youth in our country. Scouting prepares urban and rural youth to be leaders, to accept responsibility, and to care about principles and causes beyond their own self-interest.ScoutReach is the Chickasaw Council’s commitment to making sure that all young people have an opportunity to join Scouting regardless of circumstances, neighborhood or ethnic background. ScoutReach meets the development needs of youth in urban and rural settings through a well-defined program based on values, learning by doing, fun, and positive role models.
BENEFITS OF SCOUTING
Scouting provides youth with an opportunity to try new things, provide service to others, build self-confidence, and reinforce ethical standards. These opportunities not only help them when they are young but also carry forward into their adult lives, improving their relationships, their work lives, their family lives, and the values by which they live. Recent studies indicate that boys with at least five years of Scouting are more likely than those who have never been Scouts to:
• Assume leadership roles in clubs and school organizations
• Have higher self-confidence
• Resist negative peer pressure
• Consider the needs of others first
The study also found that 83 percent of men who were Scouts in their youth agree that the values they learned in Scouting continue to be very important to them today. Half of the group say Scouting had a positive effect on their career development and advancement, and 83 percent say there have been real-life situations where having been a Scout helped them be a better leader.
TARGET POPULATION
The Scout Reach program targets inner-city, at-risk youth ages 6-20 who come from low-income families in Memphis and who cannot afford pay for the Scouting program. In collaboration with the City of Memphis, Memphis City Schools and other private school’s personnel, youth are identified and encouraged to join. Usually identified youth are from low-income, single or no-parent families.
TARGET NEIGHBORHOODS
Memphis & Shelby County: Uptown, Parkway Village, College Park, Legend Park, Jackson Avenue Corridor, Hickory Hill, Hollywood/Springdale, Westwood, Whitehaven, St. Patrick Linden Pontotoc, Frayser, Raleigh, Glenview, Riverview Heights, Orange Mound, Bethel Grove, Hyde Park New Chicago, Vollintine/ Evergreen, Cordova, Millington, Klondike, Douglas, Mallory Heights neighborhoods and Memphis Housing Authority Developments