Scoutreach

The Scoutreach Committee gives special leadership and emphasis to urban and rural Scouting programs.

It is the BSA’s commitment to making sure that all young people have an opportunity to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background.

Today, young people are faced with many challenges as they often live in fragile families and disintegrating neighborhoods. Our Urban Emphasis programs meet the development needs of youth in urban settings throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Council. The program also focuses on the U.S. rural population, which constitutes approximately 25 percent of the total U.S. population. Some rural communities are stable and growing, but others are characterized by decentralized, low-density populations, property, or both.

Scouting, by emphasizing ethics and moral values, addresses many of the social concerns of parents and youth in our country. Scouting prepares urban and rural youth to be leaders, to accept responsibility, and to care about principles and causes beyond their own self-interest.

Out biggest asset in urban and rural neighborhoods is a well-defined program based on values, learning-by-doing, fun and positive role models.

Scoutreach Committee Mission

 Our mission is to recruit strong adult leaders and to develop solid relationships with chartered organizations in urban and rural communities to ensure that culturally diverse youth have the opportunity to join the Scouting program.

Our goal is to foster growth of community potential by working through schools, churches, and homes.

The values we strive to instill are based on those found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law. Our intent is to enable the targeted population access to the unique opportunities offered via the Scouting program. We seek to improve Scouting’s relationship with the African-American community and foster positive attitudes through the development of a more sensitive approach in addressing and accommodating the needs of this community.

The Five Unacceptables

The Boy Scouts of America have pledged to play a key role in combating five unacceptables in society; Drug Abuse, Illiteracy, Child Abuse, Unemployment and Hunger. These unacceptables are real and tragic, and they weigh heavily on our society, yet they are surmountable. Scouting in the Greater Pittsburgh Council is committed to confronting these problems facing our community and our nation.

Scoutreach Values

Respect for the Community -Treating all people with respect and dignity through honesty and openness to the needs of the community. 

Commitment - Dedicating ourselves to the mission of the BSA and the Scout Oath and Law.

Excellence - Putting forth our very best effort in support of Scouting in our service to the youth, families, and communities of America.

Urban Emphasis Strategies

• Create awareness of Scouting in the Urban and rural environment.
• Develop strategic support to ensure that emphasis is funded and pursued in the long term.
• Develop strategic partnership with potential chartered organizations in the community.
• Develop stable units.
• Increase the number of youth participating in the traditional Scouting program
• Quantify results