2023 MTCBSA Annual Report

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Dear Leaders and Friends of the Middle Tennessee Council, We want to thank the over 4,000 Middle Tennessee Council volunteers for leading their Scouting programs to a very successful 2023. The Scouting program in Middle Tennessee is, and always has been, successful because of the many great volunteers and the small cadre of staff working together to make Scouting programs successful.

In this annual report, you will see some of the metrics that show the areas of progress and success and other areas that show where more focus is needed. 2020 and 2021 were difficult years for the Middle Tennessee Council, as they were for all youth serving organizations. COVID-19 was a challenging time for everyone, and we are continuing to make positive steps forward post COVID-19.

We have rebuilt many of our Scouting units that were not able to meet during this period but there is still work to do. Our Cub Scout summer camping programs were up over 30% and our Scouts BSA Summer Campaign programs were up 8%. Our Cub Scout membership was down but our Scouts BSA membership was up compared to 2022. The Council had a balanced budget in 2023 and we were able to invest in much needed capital improvements at Boxwell Reservation.

This country has a crisis in mental health for so many of our youth. Scouting is one of the unique programs in Middle Tennessee that provides the ability to help mitigate this crisis and help them become the leaders of tomorrow. Our Scouting leaders have clearly seen an improvement in the youth that have chosen to add Scouting as a part of their life.

Our youth need the benefits of Scouting programs now more than ever. The future of Middle Tennessee Scouting programs is both bright and vitally important. We sincerely thank you for your work and support in making these programs possible.

Yours in Scouting, 3

Dr. John Bright Cage President

Clay Bright President Elect

Carl Haley Jr. Chairman of Board

Karen Bengtson Council Commissioner

Jack B. Turner Chairman of Trustees

Carolyn Rambo Treasurer

Andrew Wall Assistant Treasurer

Robb Harvey Jack Stringham Council Attorneys

Vice Presidents Trey Harwell............................................ Administration Ben Whitehouse.............................................. Camping Eric Strickland................................... District Operations John H. Roe Jr.............................................Endowment Samuel J. Belk................................................... Finance Pete Williston................................................. Manpower Dan Mohnke................................................... Marketing Landon Gibbs............................................. Membership Robert Guisinger.............................................. Program Mark Buchanan............................................. Properties Patrick Sheehan................................Risk Management Howard C. Gentry Jr.....................................Scoutreach J. B. Baker............................................ Special Projects Summer Bryan...................................... Special Projects

Andrew W. Byrd.................................... Special Projects John Chobanian................................... Special Projects William R. DeBerry............................... Special Projects Harris Haston........................................ Special Projects Jay Hollomon........................................ Special Projects Hank Ingram......................................... Special Projects Teresa Kingery...................................... Special Projects Kevin Monroe....................................... Special Projects Gary Parkes.......................................... Special Projects Joe Russell........................................... Special Projects Fant Smith............................................ Special Projects Bob Van Cleave.................................... Speical Projects Ken Weaver.......................................... Special Projects Cy Fenton.............................................................STEM

National Council Representatives Karen Bengtson Dr. John Bright Cage Carolyn Rambo Ken Weaver

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Tim Acree Tom Adkinson Clark Akers Roy D. Alexander Chuck Allen Michael Anastasi Rick Archer J. B. Baker Tom Baker Craig Becker Sam Belk Karen Bengtson Chad Blackburn *Chuck Blackburn Steve Blackmon W. P. Bone, III William Braddy III Alex Brandau Tyler Brandes Clay Bright *Rev. Dr. Bryan Brooks Lattie N. Brown Matt Brown Stuart Brunson Summer Bryan John S. Bryant Jim Bryson Mark Buchanan Eric Burk Tod Burnham Andrew W. Byrd John Bright Cage Greg Cashion *Patrick Charles John Chobanian *Robert Churchwell

Dan Cochran Bill Cody Russ Connelly *Isaac Connor Robert E. Corlew, III J. B. Cox Stephen Crawford Justin D. Crosslin Andy Daniels Jim Darter Joseph Day Jerry Deal William R. DeBerry Dan Dellinger Steve Dix Jim Dyer John Eakin Mark Emkes *David Emery Pete Ezell Jim Felch Cy Fenton Harry Fisk Wyatt Foutch Mark Freeland Abe Gaskins Howard Gentry Sharon Gentry Landon Gibbs *David Green Mark Green Robert Guisinger Bill Hagerty Carl Haley John Harney Howard Harris

Robb Harvey Trey Harwell Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr. Harris Haston Don Haynes Scott Heard William B. Hickman Adam Hicks James Hildreth David Hill Damon T. Hininger Rick Holladay Jay Hollomon Hank Ingram Julius Johnson *Winston Justice Stephen Kalb Paul Ketchel Bill Ketron D. J. King Teresa Kingery Tab Kirkland Hunter Kitchens Paul Kleine-Kracht Kurt Kowalski John Langsdon Jim Larson John W. Lea Joe Lester Kim Looney *John Lowry Randy Lowry Scott Lynn Bob Mackie Brad Marks Hill McAlister

Robert A. McCabe, Jr. John McDearman Don Miller Dan Mohnke Kevin Monroe Rob Mortensen Roland Myers Adam Nuse Richard Olszewski Mike O’Malley Larry Papel Gary Parkes Lauren Patten John Pearce *Mary Ann Brown Peugeot Chuck Pierce Dan Pomeroy *Jon Price Cary W. Pulliam David Raiford Carolyn Rambo Mark Raulston James A. Reed *Troynell Reese Jason Ricciardi John Richardson John H. Roe, Jr. Robert Rogers Ian Romaine Joe Russell Dan Ryan Craig Salazar Dexter Samuels Gary D. Sasser Patrick Sheehan Jerry Shelton

Fant Smith *Keith Smith Rick Smith Montee Sneed Garrison Snell Chris Snoddy James W. Spradley, Jr. George Stadler Tyler Staelin Lelan Statom Joe N. Steakley Chuck Steiner Solomon Steiner Linda Stinson Eric Strickland Jack Stringham Nathaniel Summar Hoover Sutherland Hugh C. Tanner Jorge Tarajano Isaac Thompson Jack B. Turner Bob VanCleave Bradford Vieira Andrew Wall Giles Ward Ken Weaver Philip Welker Joe Wheeler Pete Williston Beth Winstead Charles Womack Walt Wood * New Board Member

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11,818 Scouts were mentored by 4,358 youth protection trained adult volunteers in 399 neighborhood centered units.

Cub Scouts ........................7,957 Scouts BSA .......................3,433 Venturers ..............................103 Explorers ..............................157 STEM Scouts .......................168

399 Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, STEM Scout Labs, Explorer Posts and Venturing Crews chartered to churches and community organizations: Cub Scout Packs .................. 186 Scouts BSA Troops .............. 175 Venturing Crews ..................... 19 Exploring Posts ...................... 14 STEM Labs ............................... 5

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Scoutreach Program The Scoutreach Initiative is the MTCBSA’s outreach mission that enables low income and underserved youth and families to participate in Scouting programs by providing financial assistance for registration and fees, program aid support, program material support and scholarships for long-term camps and other Scouting opportunities.

In 2023, 217 adult volunteers mentored 551 Scoutreach youth to develop confidence, self-reliance and other life skills that enable them to reach their full potential.

In 2023, youth in the Scoutreach emphasis areas earned 249 rank advancements.

The Council invested $433,274 in the Scoutreach Initiative in 2023.

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STEM & Exploring Programs STEM & Exploring are thriving in the Middle Tennessee Council! As a newly formed district, all STEM Labs and Exploring Posts have been consolidated into a council-wide area.

This past year, our district more than doubled in membership. A brand-new committee was formed and filled with John Richardson as our District Chair, and Holli Byrd as our District Commissioner. Exploring has expanded outside of the traditional areas of emergency services and started the first aviation program in the Middle Tennessee Council. We are excited to continue expanding our programs to serve more youth in the Middle Tennessee area, as well as introduce new opportunities to our current members!

Community Service

36,308 hours of service in projects at churches, schools, and other local nonprofit organizations were completed by Scouts and leaders. Those service hours translate into almost a $1,154,594 investment into Middle Tennessee communities. Many of these hours were part of the 285 Eagle Scout service projects completed in 2023.

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Top 10 Merit Badges Citizenship in the Society - 533

Citizenship in the Community - 316

Camping - 295

First Aid - 417

Citizenship in the Nation - 298

Wood Carving - 287

Swimming - 346

Leatherwork - 298

Communication - 334

Personal Fitness - 296

MTC, BSA owns and operates four camping facilities: Boxwell Reservation on Old Hickory Lake Grimes Canoe Base on the Buffalo River Latimer Reservation on the Cumberland Plateau Parish Reservation at Rock Island Each camp provides a unique outdoor experience, but all offer opportunities for Scouts and families to explore, learn, have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime.

10,401 Scouts participated in programs at one of the Council’s four camp properties.

9,752 Merit Badges eaned by Scouts while learning skills in science, skilled trades, civic service, patriotism and bussiness at Camp.

3,148 Scouts and leaders participated in programs at Latimer Reservation.

2,310 youth attended MTC Cub Scout and Scouts BSA Summer Camp.

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On October 28, 2023, Grimes Canoe Base celebrated its 50th anniversary with over 120 Scouts and their families. The day began with the staff and volunteers gathering at the tranquil waters of the Buffalo river to welcome the guests. As the first rays of sunlight painted the sky, the celebration began a day full of adventure and lasting memories.

Grimes Canoe Base holds a special place in the Middle Tennessee Scouts and families hearts, and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones with our community.

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The Campaign for Boxwell Reservation had a very productive year in 2023. Most of the priority projects for the campaign were completed and we are especially proud of the new Roy Grindstaff Skilled Trades Center that opened to Scouts at summer camp. More than 350 Scouts BSA took hands-on classes in automotive maintenance, electricity, home repair, painting, plumbing and welding, as well as earning merit badges in American Business and architecture in a classroom setting. The building is located in Camp Parnell, just down the hill from the STEM Center. Having access to these facilities makes it possible for Scouts to earn merit badges that may not have been possible for them to do on their own.

Other projects completed in 2023 include the last three of six new shower houses. Scouts continue to benefit from the renovations made to Craig Dining Hall and the Albert Menefee Shotgun Range.

We look forward to a very exciting 2024, as we will complete all campaign projects with the building of the new Aubrey Harwell Leadership Center, that will replace Stahlman Dining Hall, and the new Family and Staff Lodge.

The Middle Tennessee Council would like to thank the many volunteers and staff who have worked tirelessly to make much needed and significant contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the redevelopment of Boxwell Reservation. Your investments in facilities and programs are making a positive difference in the lives of our Scouts.

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William Schroeder, Wolf, Pack 503 During a visit to his grandparents, William’s grandfather had a massive heart attack. With his Scouting knowledge, Willam stayed calm and helped his grandmother with CPR and continued to do compressions for over four minutes until first responders arrived. William’s actions were instrumental in saving his grandfather’s life.

Liam Alexander, Eagle, Troop 407 A passion for service has led Liam to choose citizenship as his Eagle Scout project which included a blessing box for food items, a flag retirement box, a free library, inspirational notes, landscaping, lighting, a table, and a mural that reads, “Do a Good Turn Daily.” Liam’s service earned him the President’s Service Award.

Kendall Beard, Life, Troop 621 and Sea Scout Ship 2910 Kendall has been an active member of the FFA Chapter at Stewart Creek High School and was elected Secretary for the region. Kendall was selected for TN Governor School for the Agricultural Sciences, and also spent part of the summer at UT Martin taking college courses. He supports his church’s efforts providing food boxes and served in the Health Ministry in logistics/traffic support for their Health Fairs and periodic distribution of Flu and COVID shots. Kendall was also a summer camp lifeguard at Boxwell.

Kaitlyn Brown, Eagle, Troop 1581 Kaitlyn comes from a Scouting family. She is a founding member of Troop 1581, the first Eagle Scout in her troop and in the Elk River District. Kaitlyn is a leader in Order of the Arrow and is the Civil Air Patrol Squadron Cadet Commander and achieved the Earhart Award. She is a youth leader at church and sings in the choir. Kaitlyn volunteers her time with HorsePlay, Inc, and completed her Eagle Scout project establishing a Communications Board allowing verbal and nonverbal riders the ability to communicate how to handle the horse.

Ephraim Rodenbach, Eagle, Troop 367 and Venturing Crew 197 Ephraim currently serves as secretary of Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge. He is President of Beta Club, Vice President of the Interact Club, former Class President, and a teaching assistant in broadcasting class at Smith County High School. He works for the local web-based news site, The Smith County Insider, producing articles and live streaming public community meetings. He was chosen as a broadcaster for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and will memorialize his trip in a video blog for the members of the Smith County American Legion Post.

Samuel Rumbley, Eagle, Troop 1204 and Venturing Crew 1 Samuel has served in leadership positions within his Troop and Venturing Crew and helped with service projects such as food collection, recycling, and volunteering with Cub Scouts. He has been on Boxwell summer camp staff and treks at Philmont and Sea Base. He has completed National Youth Leadership Training and National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience. He received the Founder’s Award as Lodge Chief of the Order of the Arrow. Samuel participates in his church’s service projects including helping to build a church in South America.

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Scouting Investments Statement of Operations - Year Ending December 31, 2023 Income

Expenses

Total Support and Revenue: $6,669,100

Total Expenses: $6,260,966

25.1% 82%

43%

16.2%

15.1%

12%

6%

.6%

wFriends of Scouting (Net)............................................$2,869,193 wCamping and Activities...............................................$1,676,010 wScout Shop & Product Sales......................................$1,077,176 wSpecial Events, Investment Income & other...............$1,008,019 wUnited Way......................................................................$38,702

wProgram Service........................................... $5,133,992 wFundraising Support........................................ $751,316 wManagement & General................................... $375,658 15

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