Dear new Scout Parents,

 

Thank you for choosing Scouting and welcome to the Cherokee  Area Council.  We are glad you have chosen this fun, exciting, and worthwhile youth program.  This page is meant to provide some helpful background information to those new to the Boy Scouts of America.

 

Membership Cards and Boys' Life - Your membership card is being processed and will be sent to your unit leader for proper presentation to you. If you signed up for the Boy’s Life magazine, which provides exciting and important news on a monthly basis, please be patient. It sometimes takes up to two months for you to receive an issue. Should you not receive either within the next 60 days, please contact either our registrar or your district executive.

 

Leaders - By now you should know who your scout unit’s leaders are and be in contact with them regarding upcoming meetings. If the communication has not occurred, please let your District Executive know so he/she can assist in you receiving information about the Scout unit you joined.  Your District Executive can be found here (Council Contacts).  As your District Executive spends much time in the field helping units like yours, please feel free to leave a message and he/she will do his/her best to get back to you as soon as possible.

 

Leader Selection and Youth Protection - The adults involved in your scout unit are usually other parents just like you who are concerned about a quality program for their youngster. They have volunteered and provided an application with your chartering organization or parents' committee, and are doing their best to provide a program for their youngsters along with yours. You are encouraged and expected to participate with these adults in providing the program as they cannot do it all themselves. Your son's safe and happy participation depends on your involvement. It is your responsibility to get to know the other parents and leaders. The Boy Scouts of America leads the nation in youth protection programs. We request that you read the front of your son's Scout handbook for more information about these programs designed to protect against child abuse and participate in one of the monthly youth protection trainings occurring in your community. Also, please choose from the many other training programs available.

 

Friends of Scouting - You may occasionally hear the term "FOS" or "Friends of Scouting."  It simply is the annual campaign used to provide the funds necessary to keep programs funded for all those who wish to participate.  It actually costs $285 a year to provide the camps, Scout Shop, accident insurance, utilities, and support services necessary for your son's/daughter's involvement.  The $15 annual registration fee registers your son or daughter with the Boy Scouts of America.  You also have uniform, Boys' Life and program costs, depending on your level of involvement.  We hope, too, when you are asked to support the overall operations of the program during the year, that you will also "do your best" to help.

 

Cherokee Area Council and Your District - You have joined a Boy Scout troop, Cub Scout pack, or Venture crew that is part of the Cherokee Area Council.  For ease of support our Council has been divided into districts to better provide local support through a District Executive.  The Council operates camps, a Scout Shop, professional support and a myriad of other functions to help the districts and help local Units.  The ultimate program delivery for the benefit of youngsters occurs at your Unit level.

 

Again, thank you for joining Scouting and enjoy the fun and adventure it has to offer!