Year in Review 2022
Message from the Council Key 3 This Annual Report is a benefit of membership in the Garden State Council, BSA. It is prepared for the charter partners, volunteers, and families of Scouting and Exploring in South Jersey. Thank you for your valued membership and active participation! Your Council aims to support your units and the youth you serve. Youth can only benefit from the programs of Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring with your involvement and leadership. Thank you for bringing these programs alive! Looking back on 2022, thanks to your positive involvement, the Garden State Council, BSA enjoyed a successful year. Together, we finished the year serving 4,683 youth, which represents 2.36% growth over last year, the largest year-end growth in Council history. Together, we welcomed 20 new units, the most started in Council history. Together, we executed the Council’s signature service project, Scouting for Food, which resulted in a record 160,000+ pounds of food donated to those in need. Together, we delivered dynamic District and Council programs resulting in attendance of 1,000+ at Cub Fun Day and 750+ at Paul Bunyan Day, just to name a few. 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Garden State Council, and we know that together, we can continue to bring our mission of quality character education to a growing number of young people, deliver fun adventures for families, and provide our communities needed service projects. Most importantly, together, we are providing our communities with future leaders of character. People who live by a Scout Oath and Law. People who will make quality parents, employees, and citizens. Scouting prepares young people for life. Thank you for your on-going investments of time, talent, and treasure in service to young people. Your efforts are recognized, admired, and appreciated!
Council Commissioner Al Garcia, Council President Debra Rosen, Scout Executive Patrick Linfors GardenStateScouting.org
Our Mission Scouting is adventure, family, fun, character, leadership, and so much more. In Scouting, boys and girls start with their best rightnow selves and grow into their very best future selves. Fun, handson learning and achievement puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today -- and for life.
Our Structure Scouts are at the top of the organizational structure of the BSA because the youth and their experience is of primary importance. Garden State Council, BSA, is chartered by the National Council, BSA, to provide program and administrative support for the Scouts and units within the council territory, which serves communities across South Jersey.
GardenStateScouting.org
Your Council Team Scout Executive / CEO Field Team
Admin Team
Properties Team
One Council, one team in service of Scouting. Welcome Nelson (Scoutreach District Executive) and Maurice (Pinelands District Executive)!
Connect With Us GardenStateScouting.org/about/staff-directory
Program Team
Development
Scout Shop
Scouting for Food The Scouting for Food Drive began as a National Good Turn in 1988 and the tradition continues every year at the Garden State Council! The food drive, which collects non-perishable items, provides muchneeded resources to help fight food insecurity in our communities. One out of five children and one out of every twelve households with seniors go hungry in New Jersey and an estimated 900,000 people rely on food banks just to survive. All Scouting units are encouraged to participate in the annual Scouting for Food Drive community service initiative. New for 2022: Sunpower LLC served as our title sponsor, providing the funds for a printed door hanger that each participating unit distributed throughout their community, as well as the participants' patch. We appreciate Sunpower's support of Scouting and of our efforts to fight hunger in South Jersey.
162,559 Number of items donated in 2022 nearly doubled over 2021 with a 97% increase.
160% Increase in participating units from 40 in 2021 to 104 in 2022.
Save the dates for 2023 Nov. 11: Door Hanger Distribution | Nov. 18: Donation Collection Council Staff Advisor: Michael Perry scoutingforfood@gardenstatescouting.org GardenStateScouting.org/service/scouting-for-food
Scouting for Food
2022 by the Numbers We continued to build back strong in the second year after the pandemic shutdown. All in-person events drew strong participation by our Scouting families -- and also from Scouts in neighboring Councils.
Record-Setting Growth Youth membership grew 2.36% over 2021, which is the largest year-end growth in Garden State Council history. Part of that growth is 20 new units that started in 2022, the most started in a single year for this Council.
Record-Setting Diversity We are reaching new groups in our community. The number of African American youth members increased by 37.1%; AAPI youth members increased by 18.7%; and Hispanic and Latino youth members increased by 23.1%. Three years into total gender inclusion across our programs, female youth comprise 9.74% of our membership.
Record-Setting Engagement The numbers of Scouts engaging with Council- and District-hosted events and activities hit new highs, reinforcing the demand for in-person, handson fun. Cub Scout Day Camp attendance increased 29%, Scouting for Food participation increased 160%, and outdoor programming events drew crowds from multiple Councils.
GardenStateScouting.org
Youth Members by Program At the end of 2022, Cub Scouting (Packs) continued to be our largest program. The orange bars at the top of each column represent the female youth registered in each program. Female youth comprise 9.74% of our membership. Female Youth
Male Youth
2,500
4,683
2,000 1,500
Total youth enrollment at the end of 2022
1,000
50.8%
500
Pa ck s
Tr oo ps
Po st s
Cub Scouts made up just over half of our youth enrollment in 2022
C re w s
&
Sh ip s
0
ScoutReach Engages New Members In 2022, we made a commitment to increase our investment in ScoutReach, and that investment is showing good results. ScoutReach is a program from Garden State Council that delivers a traditional Cub Scouting program in a non-traditional way in order to engage families in underserved communities. To fuel this effort, we welcomed Nelson Lopez to our team. He and his program aides are delivering Scouting to 153 youth in Camden city and they plan to expand the program to Burlington City, Pemberton, and more areas of South Jersey. Watch this video profile of Cub Scout Pack 3270:
537.5% GardenStateScouting.org
bit.ly/cubpack3270
Growth of youth enrolled in ScoutReach in 2022
Fun & Adventure The Council and its Districts provided fun, handson adventures for Scouts of all ages in 2022. Scan the QR code to visit our calendar and see what we have in store for 2023.
Council Calendar
Klondike Derbies Fun Scout Skills Competitions for Scouts BSA. In 2022, 480 Scouts attended 3 Derbies in-Council; Opportunity for Scouts in different units to meet; Derbies provide focus for skills training.
Summer Camps Cub Scout Day Camps and Scouts BSA Resident Camps Magic of Scouting theme for Cubs in 2022; 29% increase in day camp enrollment; Trek Camp premiered for Scouts age 14+.
Cub Fun Day Annual field day for Cubs and their friends. 3rd Sunday of October annually; Nearly 1,000 people attended in 2022
"My favorite activity was when we got to go to camp for a week. I got to learn about nature, shoot bow and arrows, and go fishing. On Friday, we got to roll on the ground in the mud. It was so fun!" -- Saylor L., Cub Scout Pack 1025, Millville GardenStateScouting.org/calendar
More Fun in 2022 Merit Badge Colleges Two events in 2022 helped 500 Scouts launch 1,462 merit badge adventures!
Paul Bunyan Day 50th Anniversary 450 Cubs and Cub-aged youth enjoyed legendary challenges at this favorite annual event.
Fishing Derby Youth of all ages competed to catch the most fish. Merit badge counselors were on hand for Scouts working on badges.
Welding and Crime Prevention Merit Badges In-person merit badge opportunities throughout our region enabled Scouts to get away from screens and explore.
Philmont Scout Ranch Trek The Council organizes a trip to New Mexico every other year. Nearly 50 conquered Philmont in 2022. The 2024 experience is now open.
"My favorite part about Scouting is getting out of the house and doing something, instead of lounging around doing nothing, and meeting friends I never wouldve met." -- Austin S., Scouts BSA Troop 3096 Barrington GardenStateScouting.org/calendar
Training is Fun, Too Every Scout deserves a trained leader. Garden State Council offers a robust catalog of annual and semiannual trainings for adult leaders, adult volunteers, and youth members. Scan the QR code for the current list of training opportunities.
Training Events
Membership Accelerator Growth Workshop Held at Pine Hill Scout Reservation Attended by 100 members; Four sessions designed to inspire unit volunteers; Scheduled in 2023 for April 22.
District Roundtables Monthly Meetings in Each District Get updates on the Scouting program; Meet fellow volunteers in your area; Trade ideas for serving your unit.
FIND YOUR DISTRICT
Wood Badge BSA's Advanced Leader Development Course Open to adult leaders of all programs; Focused on leadership strategies, not Scout skills; Open to all experience levels; The 2023 course registration is open now!
Trained leaders exhibit a knowledge and confidence that is picked up by people around them. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, safety, and a whole lot more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be! GardenStateScouting.org/resources/training
More Training in 2022 University of Scouting First Saturday in February
Position-Specific In-Person Training Available online anytime; more fun in-person!
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (ITOLS) Required for uniformed leaders in Scouts BSA
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) Advanced youth leader training for Scouts BSA and Venturing
Den Chief Training Scouts BSA and Venturers learn how to mentor Cub Scouts
"Scouting allows young men and women to obtain knowledge not taught in school, making them wellrounded members of society. They also learn how to work for and with others, instilling principles of teamwork and selfless service. Scouting is an excellent way to shape the next generation of leaders." -- Bella T., Scouts BSA Troop 7234 Williamstown, NYLT class of 20222 GardenStateScouting.org/resources/training
Eagle Scouts & Alumni The mission of the Garden State Council Eagle Scout Alumni Association is to give back to Scouting and to enhance the Scouting program for future Eagle Scouts. The Association holds fun networking events throughout the year to connect Eagle Scouts in the community as well as to raise funds in support of its scholarship program and the annual Eagle Scout Career Dinner.
2,105 Total Scouts BSA youth enrollment at the end of 2022
158
Number of Eagle Scouts in the class of 2022
"Scouting is an amazing place where anybody can grow as a person and leader by having a safe space to make mistakes. Scouting has helped me learn how to stay organized and composed under stress." -Griffin P., Scouts BSA Troop 2013, Bordentown, Eagle Scout, OA Lodge Chief Examples of past events hosted by the Garden State Council Eagle Alumni Association
Top Golf Axe Throwing Sporting Clays Thunder Baseball Eagles Watching Eagles and more...
For Alumni Association Info: Scan the QR code or contact: Justin LoMonaco, Eagle Alumni Staff Advisor alumni@gardenstatescouting.org
GardenStateScouting.org/eagle-scout-alumni-association
Volunteer Appreciation People are the heart of Scouting. Each year, the Garden State Council honors its volunteers with District Awards of Merit, Silver Beaver Awards, Woman Scouter of the Year, National Outstanding Eagle Scout Awards, and more. Each District holds an annual awards event and the whole Council comes together in the spring for our Volunteer Recognition Awards dinner. Bookmark Scoutingevent.com/690-councildinner for details and registration each year.
James E. West Fellows
National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
In Memory of Glenna Bishop Tim Guim Robert and Sandy Gundlach In Memory of John Laielli Charles W. Jaxel in honor of Susan McGowan Ed Lynes Chris McGuigan in honor of CJ and Sean McGuigan Jason Miller John Reiter Pete Reiter In Memory of Raymond Skradzinski The First National Bank of Elmer
Ian Gill James M. Latimer Duty to God Founders Award Robert Bardsley David Chasen Michael Little
$20,000
Woman Scouter of the Year Kristine Pepe (shown with 2021 honoree Vivian Badon)
The Hovnanian Family Foundation awarded 29 scholarships to Scouts in the class of 2022.
GardenStateScouting.org/resources/awards
Community Support We ran a robust calendar of events designed to engage Scouting alumni, parents, and the community at large to support our efforts to grow Scouting in 2022. Scan their QR codes for details and annual updates.
Riggins Bridge Golf Outing Running Deer Golf Club, Pittsgrove A tradition of more than 40 years.
Information Page
Shoot for Scouting Sporting Clays Classic M&M Hunting Preserve, Pennsville Open to all skill levels age 16 and up. Information Page
Distinguished Citizen Awards Honoring community leaders in each of the six counties we serve Burlington Camden Cape May Cumberland & Salem Gloucester Women of Achievement Information Page Vacation Raffle Win a trip worth $6,000! Vacation Raffle
GardenStateScouting.org/support
Friends of Scouting President's Circle Reception to thank donors who gave $1,000 or more to our Community FOS fund.
Friends of Scouting
Engage and Promote Help up reach even more youth in South Jersey by engaging with us on social media and sharing the good things Scouts are doing in your community and beyond.
Facebook Pages Garden State Council's main page: facebook.com/gardenstatebsa Garden State Council Eagle Alumni Association: facebook.com/gscesaa Garden State Council Scout Shop: facebook.com/GSCScoutShop Garden State Council Venturing: facebook.com/gscventuring Order of the Arrow Lenape Lodge 8: facebook.com/lenape8
Facebook Groups Crossroads District Group: facebook.com/groups/crossroadsGSC Osprey District Group: facebook.com/groups/ospreyGSC Pine Hill District Group: facebook.com/groups/pinehillGSC Pinelands District Group: facebook.com/groups/pinelandsGSC Duty to God Garden State Council Group: facebook.com/groups/dutytogodGSC
Instagram Garden State Council's main account: instagram.com/gardenstatebsa Garden State Council Venturing: instagram.com/gscventuring Order of the Arrow Lenape Lodge 8: instagram.com/lenape8
linkedin.com/company/garden-state-council-bsa
The Knapsack weekly email: bit.ly/join-knpsack
Website
YouTube
GardenStateScouting.org
bit.ly/gsc-youtube
GardenStateScouting.org
New Year, New Adventures, New Friends! 2023