Dear Parents,

Similar to many educational and charitable organizations, the Boy Scouts of America collects dues and fees that fall appreciably short of actual costs.  Most of the dues and fees you pay cover the troop’s direct costs, Boys’ Life subscriptions, or National fees.  The Capitol Area Council employs a professional staff to support troop and pack leaders, provide program and training materials so that your sons have trained leaders, and funds the operation and maintenance of its Scout camps such as Wolf Mountain, Lost Pines and Green Dickson.

We’ve camped at both Wolf Mountain and Lost Pines over the past several years at no charge to the troop and have benefited from using the climbing tower and shooting ranges.

Maintaining these camps and supporting other activities amount to more than $200 for each Scout and a contribution to Friends of Scouting is a means of helping to ensure those activities can continue.  One hundred percent of your contribution stays within the Capitol Area Council.

Troop 410 has a history of generous support for the Friends of Scouting.  The number of contributors also is important when the Council solicits funds from businesses and foundations:  if Scout Parents won’t support Scouting, why should anyone else?

I will be at the next Troop meeting handing out pamphlets with further information on Friends of Scouting and will be available to provide information and collect donations through the end of April. You may visit www.bsacac.org to make an on-line donation to Friends of Scouting using a major credit card.  Please be sure to provide the requested information, and make sure you designate the contribution to Troop 410.

I know economic times are tough but the Boy Scouts depend on your generous donations to support the local operations. Boy Scouts is making a real difference in the lives of our boys.  Please join me in supporting Friends of Scouting.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sincerely,

Keith Arnold
Friends of Scouting Coordinator
Troop 410