Friends of Scouting Kicks Off in Four Communities

A lot of work has already gone into our Friends of Scouting campaigns.  A large number of packs, troops, team, and crews have conducted presentations with the rest to occur in March.  In this, our anniversary month, the community campaigns are beginning to kick off as well.

The past two weeks have seen the campaigns kick off in Hays, Manhattan, Junction City, and Salina.  All four have had greater attendance and generated greater support for our Scouting programs.  The keynote speakers for these kick-off events each  brought their own perspective of the Scouting program and what it has meant to them during their formative years.  All from modest beginnings, these leaders in their respective careers show great examples of what Scouting can do for the development of character, service, citizenship, leadership, and environmental stewardship.

The  list of Keynote Speakers include:

• Hays:  Skip Yowell - Co-Founder of JanSport and Eagle Scout.  His impact on camping love of outdoors was fostered through Scouting.  He is a native of Grainfield.
• Manhattan:  Kirk Schulz - President of Kansas State and Eagle Scout.  He credits listing Eagle Scout on his resume as helping him get his first job.
• Junction City:  LTG Promotable James D Thurman - Deputy Chief of Staff US Army and Eagle Scout.  He still has his Scout handbook and states, "Everything he needed to know about leadership he got in Scouts."
• Salina:  US Congressman Jerry Moran - Kansas First District.  He reached the rank of Life Scout in Troop 109, Plainfield, Kansas.  He also has his Scout handbook in his congressional office.  "Across our country, there is a strong desire for change. But the change we need takes place in our hearts not with the leader of our country.  Scouting can bring that change one heart, in one person at a time."

The Coronado Area Council would like to thank the speakers and all the supporters who attended these kick-off events.  The funds raise will help us make Scouting the greatest experience in our youth this year and for the next 100 years.