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,
Dr. John Bright Cage
President
Jack B. Turner
Chairman of Trustees
Clay Bright President Elect
Carolyn Rambo Treasurer
Carl Haley Jr.
Chairman of Board
Andrew Wall Assistant Treasurer
Karen Bengtson Council Commissioner
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
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
399
11,818 Scouts were mentored by 4,358 youth protection trained adult volunteers in 399 neighborhood centered units. Cub
Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, STEM Scout Labs, Explorer Posts
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.
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.
Citizenship in the Society - 533
First Aid - 417
Swimming - 346
Communication - 334
Top 10 Merit Badges
Citizenship in the Community - 316
Citizenship in the Nation - 298
Leatherwork - 298
Personal Fitness - 296
Camping - 295
Wood Carving - 287
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.
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.
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.
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.
