Q&A with
Boy Scouts Pacific Coast District Chairman, Stewart Walton WHAT IS THE HISTORY BEHIND THE BOY SCOUTS ORGANIZATION? The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 in the District of Columbia by William D. Boyce. WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE PACIFIC COAST DISTRICT? WHEN WAS IT STARTED? The Pacific Coast District was formed in 2000 from the Tecolote District, but scouting in the North County coastal area goes back at least to the ‘40s. The Ecke Building at the present San Diego Botanical Garden started out life as the Scout Building on the Larabee estate. The District presently serves 1,400 youth in 45 units. Most of the members are boys but Venturing Crews can be co-ed. WHAT IS THE OVERALL MISSION OF BOY SCOUTS? In my words, we help young people grow into responsible adults by providing fun and challenging activities, with adults serving as guides and models. The official version states, “The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.” The Scout Oath reads, “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” The Scout Law: “A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS DISTRICT CHAIRMAN? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS ROLE? The district chairman is a volunteer position; I recruit other volunteers to support scouting and coordinate the overall functioning of the district from recruiting to training to camping. I have been chairman for three years. WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF BEING THE DISTRICT CHAIRMAN? Seeing scouts have a great time at a rainy campout, interviewing prospective Eagle
Scouts, and listening to former scouts reminisce about their scouting career. WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR BECOMING INVOLVED WITH BOY SCOUTS? My sons were interested and I always loved the outdoors. Then I read books about the importance of the outdoors on the development of young men and I got hooked. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EXCITING PLANS THIS YEAR FOR THE BOY SCOUTS INVOLVED WITH THE PACIFIC COAST DISTRICT? We are planning a two-day Camporee in the spring to bring all the Boy Scout and Venturing Crew units together in Ramona with games and challenges. One other item is that we are realigning the boundaries of all the Boy Scouts of America districts and the Pacific Coast District will grow to include a larger part of Carlsbad. Those interested in learning more should visit www.beascout.org. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH FOR THE PACIFIC COAST DISTRICT’S PROGRAM THIS YEAR, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I wish for the chance to bring our program to more boys and girls. Most people don’t realize that girls ages 13 to 20 can be part of a high-adventure scouting program called Venturing Crew. WHAT IS THE MOTIVATION FOR A BOY TO BECOME PART OF A BOY SCOUT TROOP? Make friends, do challenging things, go camping. Have fun. HOW DOES ONE GO ABOUT JOINING A TROOP? ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS AS TO WHEN SOMEONE CAN JOIN? Go to www.beascout.org and find a pack, troop, or crew near you. Or ask a scout that you know. You will fill out an application that your parents will sign. The minimum age for Cub Scouts is seven years old or in first grade. For Boy Scouts, the minimum age is 10 years old or in sixth grade. For Venturers, the minimum age is 14 years.
At-A-Glance
Pacific Coast District, District Chairman Stewart Walton Name: Stewart Walton Community: Encinitas Education: BSEE from Stanford University, M.S. from USC Hobbies and Interests: Scouting, cycling, camping, reading Favorite Scouting Memory: Time with my sons and their friends in the Sierras on a quiet lake above the tree line.
At-A-Glance
Pacific Coast District Boy Scouts District Name: Pacific Coast District, San Diego Imperial Council Number of Boy Scouts: 1402 Number of Troop Leaders: 556 Areas Served: Carlsbad to Carmel Valley, and east to Rancho Santa Fe and Fairbanks Ranch Phone: 760-815-4173 Website: www.pacificcoast.sdicbsa.org Email: swalton.scouts@gmail.com Overall Mission: Help young people grow into responsible adults by providing fun and challenging activities, with adults serving as guides and models.
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