"80% of a typical audience have some connection with Scouting," Assistant Scout Exec Bob Frederick for the Mobile Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America reported at the September meeting of "Men's 710 Second Tuesday. Bob ought to know, given his tenure of 30 years in Scouting. Youngsters are attracted by fun and adventure and programs like the Battleship Alabama campout which alone will draw 2000 Cub Scouts this fall. Across the USA 2 Scouts out of 100 will earn the rank of Eagle. In Baldwin County numbers are twice as high. The Mobile Scouting Council, comprised of Scouts in Baldwin, Mobile, Washington, and Clark Counties, generates 10,000 hours of Eagle service projects each year--all in projects not relating specifically to Scouting. These projects benefit the communities in which Scouts reside. The Scouting "good turn" to neighbors begins back in the Cubs; Bobcats need to do a good turn before they can even wear their pin insignia right. The success of Scouting locally accounts for 20% of our youth being involved in Scouting in the area.
There is a positive impact on our communities in the Mobile Scouting Council through adult training programs such as the Wood Badge program which provides the leadership training for the local Scouting programs. And, the local programs are growing. Just in Bay Minette, interest in the Cub Round-Up increased from 12 new Cubs last year to 64 this year. In Fairhope the interest was 54 new enrollments last year and now 107 in 2004. Because volunteers in Scouting are trained, people are ready to deliver positive programming for our youngsters.
Whether men of today went to Camp Pushmataha in their youth or are involved with Camp Mobila today, Scouting remains viable and not just alive in 2004, but growing and vibrant, training adult leaders for today and giving young men the leadership skills needed for tomorrow. Bob suggested that Cub Leader Pete Midgarden (251 945-5319) would be a potential information source for Scouting in the Silverhill area. And yes, for old-timers, Camp Pushmataha is still there and still serving the Scouts.
Bob Frederick began his professional career in his hometown of Macon, Georgia, and ultimately has served throughout the South in places like the Blue Grass Council in Lexington, Kentucky, and the Andrew Jackson Council in Jackson, Mississippi. He has served as Scout Executive in the Yocona Area Council in Tupelo, Mississippi, and the Sequoyah Council in Johnson City, Tennessee. Most recently before Mobile, he served the Flint River Council in Griffin, Georgia. He currently supervises the recruitment and direction of the Mobile Area Council Professional Staff. This graduate of Georgia College was a high school teacher and coach prior to becoming a professional Scouter. One of his two married daughters is married to a Scouting Field Director in Orlando, Florida. Bob will discuss a variety of topics relating to local Scout activities, programs, and recruitment.
Robert "Bob" S. C. Frederick can be contacted at the Mobile Area Council, BSA, at 251 476-4600. A quick Scouting update needed? Try www.bsamobile.org.
