The annual Mayor’s Breakfast for Scouting was conducted Wednesday. The event is aimed at raising awareness and encouraging donations to sustain local Scouting activities.
The Boy Scouts of America was renamed “Scouting America” and celebrated 115 years this year.
Mark Allen, Unit Commissioner from the Boy Scouts of America, presented on the impact and needs of Scouting in Crawfordsville and surrounding areas. While highlighting the positive growth of youth involved in Scouting, Allen pointed out the decline in membership and support over recent years.
“The Scout program used to enjoy a lot more support,” he said. “We’ve had issues over the years that various people have decided they would or would not support the Scouts. And as of January, we lost a significant portion of our membership because of policies, but that’s just the way it work.”
Allen explained that the Crossroads of America Council currently serves 26 counties in central Indiana, with about 17,000 Scouts and 5,000 volunteer leaders. Despite these numbers, the council faces financial struggles, as fundraising efforts contribute only about 6% of the total budget. The event aimed to raise awareness and generate donations for local Scouting, with a broader goal of raising $7,000 for the program.
“All the leaders are volunteers,” Allen said. “They pay to volunteer and mentor young people. We need dollars to cover the physical costs associated with the Scouts.”
Allen emphasized the importance of Scouting’s high-adventure activities and their impact on youth development.
“Scouts grow through their experiences, through their interactions,” Allen said. “We provide four high-adventure bases across the country for those experiences.”
In Crawfordsville specifically, two Cub Scout packs and several Boy Scout troops remain active, including Troop 365, with 17 registered members.
Allen also discussed the Scouts’ ongoing commitment to community service. In 2024, local Scouts contributed approximately 300 hours of service.
Mayor Todd Barton supported the event by proclaiming March 19 as Crawfordsville Day of Scouting, recognizing the ongoing significance of the program in the community.
To make a donation or learn more about the Scouts, reach out to Mark Allen at mallenBSA@att.net.
