Growing up is hard — always has been, always will be.
Every generation faces a different set of challenges & temptations.

The more complicated the times, the more complex the growing up years can be for young people, their parents and their communities. Today’s youth face a myriad of opportunities to make choices, both good and bad — choices that can affect the rest of their lifetimes.

Young people, and their families, have always known they can depend on the Boy Scouts of America to help them grow and develop academically, socially and ethically. Since 1910, our programs have adapted to the changing times while remaining true to our core values — building character, mentoring, serving others, healthy living, faith traditions, and lifelong learning.

Families in the greater Portland area are part of the Cascade Pacific Council. Our Council is the seventh largest geographic council in the country. Currently we serve more than 48,000 young people from 18 counties in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. These youth are served by more than 15,000 adult volunteers.

A recent Harris Interactive survey released in May of this year, reported that more than one in 10 boys in the United States is currently an active Scout. When the survey included past Scouts, the numbers increased an additional 23%. Boys that are, or had been, involved in Scouting were typically involved for an average of at least five years.

The full scope of Scouting’s outreach is reflected in the numbers—by adulthood, 54% of American men have been involved in a Scouting program at some time in their lives. The values and skills learned as a Scout carry with them into their adult lives with 83% of former Scouts reporting that “the values I learned in Scouting continue to be important to me.”

Men who participate in Scouting during their youth are statistically more likely to attain higher levels of education. According to the most recent Harris survey, 98% of Boy Scouts graduate from high school and 40% graduate from college. As they move into adulthood, Scouts secure higher paying jobs, purchase their own homes, attend religious services on a regular basis, and vote in all elections. Our communities clearly benefit when strong Scouting programs influence the values and actions of citizens and leaders.

Using Mother Nature’s laboratory for life lessons
Although we support a variety of activities and programs throughout the year, the association of Boy Scouts to outdoor camping remains the most popular. In the Cascade Pacific Council, we are blessed to be surrounded by nature’s bounty. We operate and maintain 10 different camp facilities, three lodges on Mt. Hood and the Scouters Mountain site in the Portland area. We are recognized nationally for having the best camping programs in the country.

Using the great outdoors as a laboratory for teaching skills and instilling values is a trademark of the Scouting experience. Scout camp facilities and camp staff meet rigorous standards of national training and accreditation. We take full advantage of the opportunities presented while living in a camp setting. Camp is a special time to reinforce the lessons in character building and positive sense of self-worth that we consider the cornerstones of healthy youth development.

Scout troops organize weekend camping outings throughout the year, but the highlight of the camping program has always been an annual weeklong Summer Camp. During the summer months of 2005, 11,038 boys in our Council gathered their gear, packed backpacks and headed with their troop to their designated campsite for a full week of learning and outdoor recreation. The Council also sent the second largest contingent to the BSA National Jamboree, a special camping program that is only offered every four years. (See separate story on 2005 National Jamboree)

Experience of a lifetime
Oregon Scouts attend Jamboree

On July 21, Brian Allen rolled from bed before daylight. He had been planning and preparing for this morning for two years. The excitement and anticipation, having built to a peak, was too great to allow much sleep.

Allen, together with 503 fellow Boy Scouts from the greater Portland and surrounding areas, was set to embark on a journey that would take him across the country and back in time. He would join thousands of Scouts from every corner of the nation during the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree. The National Jamboree has been held 16 times since the first gathering in 1937.

This summer, the Cascade Pacific Council sent 14 troops; each troop was comprised of 36 boys and four adult leaders—the second-largest contingent in the nation.

Scouts from Cascade Pacific Council toured Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas for four days before the Jamboree.

After their whirlwind days of touring, the Oregon troops were eager for Jamboree to begin. As they arrived at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, they saw Scouts’ faces pressed to the windows on hundreds of buses that rolled through four gates at the Army base.

In addition to 35,000 Boy Scouts and leaders, a volunteer staff of more than 7,000 men and women managed the equivalent of a small city, complete with telephone and Internet systems, a hospital, police and fire departments, post offices, retail stores, warehouses, and a daily newspaper. “Jamboree gives Scouts an opportunity to test the skills they have learned through Scouting and to try new things,” said Roy Williams, Chief Scout Executive. “However, the greatest benefit of the Jamboree is when Scouts from all over America and the world come together to share the brotherhood of Scouting.”

To uphold Scouting’s commitment of service to others, the Jamboree included three large-scale “Good Turn for America” service projects. Richard Carmona, U.S. Surgeon General and Honorary Chairman of Good Turn for America, visited the Jamboree to oversee projects that illustrated the program’s focus on health living, homelessness and hunger. Scouts participated in building a new house, a 5K run and food distribution to Caroline County food pantries.

A highlight of Jamboree is the traditional visit from the President of the United States. President George W. Bush addressed a crowd of nearly 70,000 at the Jamboree’s closing ceremonies. Allen was selected to serve in the flag ceremony and was seated near the front during Bush’s address. Each participant lit a candle to symbolize the Scouts’ commitment to the Scouting principles as repeated in the Scout Law. This same pledge and candle ceremony has taken place at every Jamboree for the past 68 years.

After eight full days of adventure, Scouts from Cascade Pacific Council were weary and ready for the flight home.

The next Jamboree will jump five years as Scouting celebrates its 100th anniversary in the year 2010. Leaders are already planning for a spectacular Jamboree anniversary celebration, and Cub Scouts just now seven years old are learning that they might get to go to the next National Jamboree like their older brothers.

senator smith chosen to receive leadership award
The Cascade Pacific Council has selected Senator Gordon Smith as the first receipt of the Meritorious Leadership Award. The Council will recognize Senator Gordon Smith at a special dinner on February 21, 2006 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Portland. The event will bring together business and corporate leaders and provide an opportunity to learn about Scouting today and to raise funds needed to support the Council’s Scouting programs.

As a Distinguished Eagle Scout, and life-long Scouting supporter, Senator Smith has sought to live by the Scout principles as they help guide his career. He strongly believes that to do one’s duty to God and Country and to help other people at all times is a strong foundation for both life and for public service. Senator Smith was sworn in to the United States Senate in 1997 and quickly earned a reputation as a statesman with an independent streak. Senate leaders have recognized Senator Smith’s abilities and have continually asked him to serve in key leadership and committee positions. Re-elected in 2002, he has also become well known for his ability to cross party lines in the interests of his constituents.

If you would like to attend the event or need more information, please contact Mark Manchester
at 503.225.5721 or email him at mmanchester@cpcbsa.org.

You can help continue
this American tradition

Although the financial support required to maintain all our camp facilities is costly, we are ever mindful of the significant impact that the Scouting experience has on all our Scouts, their families and the communities we serve

Fundraising is vital to our Council. With your help, we can maintain the programs and activities we currently offer and develop the new programs we hope to offer in the future

Private donations, corporate donations, and in-kind contributions are important to our fundraising efforts. Donated funds have a direct impact on the Council budget. Ninety-eights cents of every dollar contributed go directly to support the activities and facilities that make Scouting, and its related programs, an option for the youth in our own communities.

For more information on how you can help, call the Cascade Pacific Council office or email to info@cpcbsa.org. You may also send donations directly to the Council at 2145 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, Oregon 97201.

Cascade Pacific Council 2145 SW Naito Parkway Portland, OR 97201 503-226-3423 info@cpcbsa.org