Year in Review 2023
From the Council Key 3 This Year in Review is one of the benefits of membership in the Garden State Council, BSA. It is prepared for our charter partners, volunteers, supporters, and families of Scouting and Exploring in South Jersey so that you can see how your partnership and support have helped us better serve youth in all of the programs the Garden State Council, BSA, offers. Thank you for your valued membership and active participation in the what we think are the greatest youth development programs on the planet! Your Council strives 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 2023, thanks to your positive involvement, the Garden State Council, BSA, enjoyed a successful year. Together, we finished the year serving 4,635 youth. That number includes a second consecutive year of Cub Scout growth, along with growth in Venturing and Exploring. Together, we finished the year serving 226 units, +2 over last year. Together, we expanded our ScoutReach program, serving 313 youth in 13 programs. Thanks to your continued support through Friends of Scouting, these Packs and Troops are supporting families that otherwise would not have access to the programs of Scouting. We look forward to expanding ScoutReach into other geographic parts of the Council, where we strive to serve currently underserved families. Together, we executed the Council’s signature service project, Scouting for Food, which resulted in 100,000+ 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, and the creating of new innovative summer programs such as Trek Liberty, Marksmanship Specialty Camp, and Kuweike Trek Camp. 2024 is the 11th anniversary of the Garden State Council, BSA 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 the 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 the youth of South Jersey. Your efforts are recognized, admired, and appreciated! We couldn’t do what we do without you!
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
Program Team
Admin Team
Development
Properties Team
Scout Shop
One Council, one team in service of Scouting. Welcome Colby Broaddus, Scoutreach District Executive!
Connect With Us GardenStateScouting.org/about/staff-directory
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 much-needed 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 2023: Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey’s Apprenticeship Education & Training Fund 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 ABC NJ’s support of Scouting and of our efforts to fight hunger in South Jersey.
100,000 100 20,482
Number of items reported as donated in 2023.
Number of units reporting participation in 2023.
Total number of volunteer hours dedicated to this event.
Save the dates for 2024 Nov. 9: Door Hanger Distribution | Nov. 16: Donation Collection Dates subject to change scoutingforfood@gardenstatescouting.org GardenStateScouting.org/service/scouting-for-food
Scouting for Food
Youth Members by Program At the end of 2023, 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 increased 1.25% in 2023 to 11% of our membership. Female Youth
Male Youth
2,500
4,635
2,000 1,500
Total youth enrollment at the end of 2023
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 Continues to Grow 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 Scouting program in a non-traditional way in order to engage families in underserved communities. This year, we welcomed Colby Broaddus to our team as the Scoutreach Executive. He and his program aides are delivering Scouting to 313 youth in 13 units.
100% Growth of youth enrolled in ScoutReach in 2023 GardenStateScouting.org
Fun & Adventure The Council and its Districts provided fun, handson adventures for Scouts of all ages in 2023. Scan the QR code to visit our calendar and see what we have in store for 2024.
Council Calendar
Klondike Derbies Fun Scout Skills Competitions for Scouts BSA. 560 Scouts competed across 3 Klondike Derbies, a 17% increase over 2022 participation
Summer Camps Cub Scout Day Camps and Scouts BSA Resident Camps National Parks theme for Cubs in 2023; Specialty Camps premiered for Scouts age 14+ Trek Camp hike, bike, canoe challenge returned
Cub Fun Day Annual field day for Cubs and their friends. 3rd Sunday of October annually; More than 1,000 people attended in 2023
GardenStateScouting.org/calendar
More Fun in 2023
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
University of Scouting First Saturday in February Enrichment programs for volunteers in every program. Rank-required courses for Venturing youth.
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
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.
1,978 Total Scouts BSA youth enrollment at the end of 2023
152
Number of Eagle Scouts in the class of 2023
In 2023 we honored the previous year’s Eagle Scouts and connected them with career mentors. This year’s event is scheduled for April 14th and will feature a keynote by 6ABC anchor John Paul. For event details, including sponsorships, scan the code.
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.
National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
Mark Brody Jason Miller Duty to God Founders Award Scott Bickhart Thomas Scott Milton Smith
Woman Scouter of the Year Pat Leth Crossroads District Committee
Hovnanian Family Foundation awarded 29 $20,000 The scholarships to Scouts in the class of 2022. GardenStateScouting.org/resources/awards
Celebrating Community Leaders We honored distinguished citizens throughout South Jersey with the Good Scout award to celebrate those who live the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law in their everyday lives.
Burlington County Brad Denn Padden Cooper Lee Bealuk Scouts BSA Troop 2020
Cape May County Dave and Monica Coskey The Mullock Family
Cumberland County Honorable John A. Casarow Municipal Judge, Retired
Salem County Chloe Williams B.R. Williams, Inc.
Lifetime Achievement Award Richard Morris Jr. For service to Scouts at Roosevelt Scout Reservation
GardenStateScouting.org/support
Celebrating Community Leaders We honored distinguished citizens throughout south Jersey with the Good Scout award to celebrate those who live the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law in their everyday lives.
Gloucester County Tim Guim PCH Technologies Lisa Morina Cooper Hospital Foundation
Women of Achievement Kristi Howell - Burlington County Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce Lavinia Awosanya - Camden County Food Bank of South Jersey Camille E. Fitzmartin - Cape May County Pennoni Tyrese Gould Jacinto - Cumberland County Native American Development Corp. Catherine Allen-Carlozo - Gloucester County HFM Investment Advisors Sue Ann Leighty - Salem County Habitat for Humanity of Salem County
Woman Scouter of the Year Pat Leth is included on Page 11
GardenStateScouting.org/support
Fun for a Cause Our long-running annual golf and sporting clays tournaments help foster community partnerships, raise crucial funds to support the mission, and let everyone have fun in the process.
Riggins Bridge Golf Outing The Legacy Club at Woodcrest, Cherry Hill The Riggins-Bridge Golf Tournament is a decades-long tradition that honors two local Scouting legends while raising crucial funds that serve the future of the movement. The event includes a light lunch and awards dinner. The 2023 event even featured a golf ball cannon! Scan the QR code for details and a link to photos. Save June 17, 2024, and join us on the links!
Information Page
13th Annual Shoot for Scouting Sporting Clays Classic M&M Hunting Preserve, Pennsville This tournament is open to everyone aged 16+, from first-timers to seasoned pros. The day includes a light lunch and BBQ dinner. Scan the QR code for event details, link to photos, and more. Save the date for the 14th Annual Shoot for Scouting on Oct. 4, 2024.
Information Page
Annual Vacation Raffle Win a trip worth $6,000! Vacation Raffle
GardenStateScouting.org/support
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