2021 COMBAT Mid-Year Funding: $39,518.00

in Heart of America Council’s Own Words

The Heart of America Council's ScoutReach initiative is to provide the Scouting Program to more than 3,000 youth in areas of our urban core that face unique challenges that may otherwise prevent them from participating in Scouting.

We believe Scouting should be accessible to all—regardless of demographics or zip code. ScoutReach, which served 3,643 Scouts in 2020, supports our highest need populations and we cover all associated costs for those youth. Our ScoutReach participants identify as 1% Asian, 39% Black, 5% Caucasian, 10% Hispanic or Latino, 3% Other, and 42% declined to provide identifying information. We do not ask for household income to participate in our programs, but ScoutReach sites are selected based on the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program. We operate ScoutReach exclusively at schools or community centers where more than 80% of students qualify for FRLP and most of our partners far exceed that threshold.

Scouting, by emphasizing ethics and moral values, prepares youth to be leaders, to accept responsibility and to care about causes beyond their own self-interest. ScoutReach operates the same way as our traditional units: they meet weekly, advance in rank, live by the Scout Oath and Law, and participate in field trips and campouts. However, because ScoutReach serves our most diverse and highest need Scouts, the Council covers all associated costs and hires Program Specialists to lead meetings in order to ensure they receive the best of what Scouting has to offer.

The Boy Scouts of America have been mentoring young people in the Kansas City area since 1910. The Heart of America Council is a Kansas City institution, with over 600 partner organizations such as churches, schools and civic clubs, throughout the metropolitan area. No one has more experience activating communities or mentoring young men and women. Unlike other youth development programs, our almost 20,000 youth are able to stay in Scouting from the ages of 5 to 18 (and volunteer as adults) allowing them to build long-term relationships with mentors.

As our nation looks to the future, it will be on the shoulders of today’s youth to shape the very fabric of our society. Scouting is where leaders learn to lead. Our programs help prepare all youth to be caring and responsible adults and the opportunities provided by Scouting are more relevant today than ever before.