Your Impact
From every walk of life, you, our donors and volunteers, come together to make Scouting happen in your neighborhoods. Police detectives to astronauts, philanthropists to entrepreneurs… Newark to Los Angeles, you work together to make sure kids have the chance to push themselves, build self-confidence and discover their futures. You are helping families build memories and communities strengthen their bonds. You make it happen. Thank you for letting the Foundation be a part of your vision.
What do a NASA astronaut and a Newark, New Jersey Police Detective have in common? They are both helping young people develop the leadership skills necessary for successful futures through the Exploring program. Learn more about Exploring
You inspire careers
“Exploring teaches a kid time-management skills and provides working opportunities. You see them come in at the age of 14 and leave at 18, they are a completely different kid. These kids have a home here with the Boy Scouts of America and the Exploring program."
– Detective Anthony Roberts, Newark Police Department- Exploring Post 2808
We know you are shaping young people’s careers, and here’s the proof! In 2018, Clemson University and the BSA Foundation concluded a three-year study to show the importance of mentorship, volunteering and career preparation.
more likely to participate in out-of-school activities to prepare for their careers
more likely to do volunteer work to prepare for their careers
Explorers indicated that the immersive experiences and structure of Exploring provided them with support from leaders, ignited or stoked their passion, and promoted leadership skills in a particular career path.
Exploring Summerfest Investigation (2018) Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
Preparing for the future
"Youth today must be equipped with the proper tools, adaptive thinking processes, and skills that will be needed in our rapidly changing world. My mission remains clear, to help young people successfully enter adulthood with the perseverance, confidence, and skills to meet our planet’s future needs: a mission I proudly share with the Boy Scouts of America."
- Gregory H. Johnson, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships Advisor, BSA Foundation and Distinguished Eagle Scout
We now know the positive impact of the time you invest with young people carries through into their adult lives. Thanks to 2018 research from Cal Baptist, we know how.
Evidence is showing young people in Exploring are:
Twice as likely to be employed full-time
Almost 5 times as likely to be earning over $45,000 per year
Three times more likely to have completed a Bachelor’s degree
The Social Impact of Public Safety Exploring (2018) California Baptist University, Riverside, CA.
The Herb Family, Pathway to Adventure Council
"We have spent the past five years investing in ways to engage middle- school aged girls with Scouting out of a grass roots desire for young girls to have the Scouting experience that our boys had enjoyed.”
- Tom and Wendy Herb, Troop 21, Barrington, IL
Because of you, Tom and Wendy Herb, girls now experience the adventure of Scouting. Thank you for your vision.
Seventeen years ago, Jake was a new Tiger cub and Tom and Wendy Herb were new Tiger parents. Tom asked the simple question, “How can I help?” It didn’t take long for the Herb family to grow and with it their Scouting involvement. With three older brothers, the Herb’s only daughter went on campouts and closely followed her brothers’ Scouting adventures. How did Jessica find adventure in Scouting?
Ahead of the Curve
The Herb’s have had a long-standing passion for connecting girls to adventure. In 2014, the Herbs funded a test program to encourage middle-school age girls to experience the adventure of Scouting. Their hope was to encourage girls to feed into the venturing program. Their test was a success and perfectly coincided with a historic shrift in the Scouting movement.
Tom and Wendy were thrilled when the BSA began welcoming girls into all programs. Their transformational gift was inspired by this historic moment. The question now becomes, Tom and Wendy Herb “How can we thank you?” We are honored Scouting is a part of your family. Because of your tireless efforts and philanthropy all kids can have a Scouting adventure. Thank you for trusting the Foundation as a partner in your philanthropy.
Tyler Brennan, Troop 350 Evansville, IN
“When it comes to summer camp, we rely on fundraising efforts and camperships as it can get very expensive for all of our kids to go every summer. Sometimes, not everyone can go. ”
- Pat Brennan, dad and Scouting volunteer
Because of you, Craig and Mary Fenneman, kids like Tyler continue their Scouting journey at summer camp. You are helping families build their Scouting legacies.
Seven years ago, Craig and Mary Fenneman made plans to help Scouts in the Buffalo Trace Council in Indiana have a chance to go to summer camp. Craig grew up in Indiana and has a heart for the council where he and his brothers were Scouts. In 2018, as in years past, Craig and Mary funded camperships from their donor advised fund at the Foundation. Craig had no idea how this gift would come full circle.
A unique twist to the story
The Brennan’s are a Scouting family of six. Pat’s son, Tyler, was excited to hear he was receiving a campership to attend the Roy C. Manchester Camp in the summer of 2018. Swimming has been a challenge for Tyler and he was eager to practice his skills at camp. Thanks to the Fenneman’s generosity, Tyler is another happy Scout who will create summer memories to last a lifetime.
The unique part of the story is, Craig had no idea a Scout who received one of the camperships was a member of the Troop his grandfather founded in 1914 in Evansville, IN. The Troop where Craig and his three brothers earned their Eagles.
In the past 100 years, Troop 50 has moved around Evansville. Today, it is Troop 350 chartered to Bluegrass United Methodist Church. Because of you, Craig and Mary, Scouts can have summer adventures and know they are a part of a Scouting legacy.
Greg Cox, San Diego County Supervisor
“Scouting’s program combined with this camp facility will create a perfect outdoor classroom to instill the values of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law in our communities’ young people.”
- Greg Cox
Because of you, Greg Cox and Dianne Bashor, San Diego County will have a $10 million outdoor adventure and camping complex for all to enjoy - Camp Bashor Otay Lakes.
Greg Cox developed his passion and respect for nature and the outdoors as a Cub Scout. Decades later, he is in a position to connect the land he loves to Scouting. For almost 25 years, Greg’s goal has been to provide all families in San Diego County with more open spaces and parks. Greg had a big vision to transform 68 acres of land into an outdoor adventure and camping park capable of hosting 400 families- complete with zip-lines, archery range and campsites.
How did Greg do it?
To bring the dream to life, Greg started conversations with those he knew well in the San Diego community. First stop was the San Diego Imperial Council. Scouting knows how to run camps and steward the land- a natural partner. Understandably, Scouting was an eager partner.
Next Greg reached out to a treasured San Diego philanthropist, Dianne Bashor. Dianne, a Girl Scout as a youth, and her late husband Jim, a former Boy Scout, know the value of youth development programs. Mrs. Bashor made a transformational gift to bring Cox’s vision to life. Mrs. Bashor states, "My hope is this center will create a space and opportunity for children of all ages and backgrounds to have life-long memories and values that Scouting instills in each individual.”
Thank you Greg Cox and Dianne Bashor for your vision to bring outdoor adventure and Scouting to all families in San Diego County in the form of Camp Bashor at Otay Lakes. The Foundation is proud to play a role in bridging a partnership that will impact thousands of families for decades to come.
Learn more about how your council can partner with the Foundation.
Scoutmaster Gorlitsky with Troop 2131, Los Angeles, CA
"All Scouts are equal in uniform, but we know all things are not equal at the starting gate. These kids are Eagle-worthy. You give them the opportunity to soar."
- Dr. Kendra Gorlitsky
Because of you, thousands of Scouts like Kendra's have a chance to discover what they can be through Scouting. The scholarships you fund transform lives.
When Kendra Gorlitsky talks about her Scouts’ activities, it’s with the conviction of knowing the alternative. Kendra is the Scoutmaster of Troop 2131 in Los Angeles. For 13 years, Kendra has devoted her time and her heart to making sure her Scouts have the same Scouting experience as her own children. For over 5 years, scholarships have allowed Kendra to take her Scouts to summer camp at Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation, Lake Arrowhead or Camp Cherry Valley, Catalina Island. For many, it’s their first time visiting their local mountains, or traveling across the bay to Catalina Island. Most of their families don’t even have cars.
See how you and Kendra are making a difference
Kendra watches with pride as she sees here Scouts help each other swim for the first time and the excitement as they watch pods of dolphin and whales. Scholarship funds raised help her Scouts go to camp, learn to swim, fish, ice skate, and ride horses. They do service projects, go to Law and Architecture Merit Badge Days and learn life-saving skills. Without Scouting, Kendra knows their futures might take a darker course and be recruited by one of the many gangs prowling their streets.
Kendra says, “With your support, inner-city Scouts hone the arduous tasks required for professional and civic development, avoiding the dangerous and treacherous path so easily available to them.” Kendra’s spirit coupled with donor support makes Scouting a reality for her kids. Together you are making a difference in each Scout’s life. The Foundation is proud to partner with the Greater Los Angeles council to ensure scholarships continue to make Scouting possible for Scouts like Kendra's. Thank you.
© Boy Scouts of America
