PEORIA MAGAZINE July 2023

“This anniversary highlights the commitment the community and the three previous councils had to ensure that Scouting survived and thrived,” he said. “When times were difficult, they came together and said, ‘What we are doing is too important. Let’s join forces and we can do it better.’” AS RELEVANT AS EVER When the W. D. Boyce Council was formed, no one could have predicted how dramatically Scouting would change over the ensuing decades. But even with fewer members (3,524 in 2022, down from 7,978 in 2017 and even higher in the 1970s), changing family dynamics and competition for young peoples’ attention, Blumenberg insists the ideals and aims of the program are as relevant as ever. “The program components have evolved, but the emphasis on leadership and character development, citizenship, and physical, mental and emotional fitness have always been the core of Scouting,” Blumenberg said. Mike Stobaugh, a long-time adult volunteer, agrees: “Baden-Powell said Scouting is a game with a purpose. The games kids played in the early 1900s were a lot different from what they are today, but the purpose remains the same.” The game has continued throughout Stobaugh’s life, a testament to the staying power of Scouting in central

Illinois. He earned the Eagle Scout as a youth and continued to be involved in the program, including time as Cubmaster and Scoutmaster when his son was involved. He currently is a member of the Scouting Historical Society of Central Illinois (http://shsci. blogspot.com), which works to preserve and document Scouting in the region. ALL IN THE FAMILY One major change in Scouting was opening membership to girls and young women starting in 2019. The BSA’s Ex plorer program accepted girls as far back as 1969, and Venturing allowed young women age 14-20 to join its ranks since 1998. Four years ago, the traditional Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs, rebrand ed as Scouts BSA, began allowing girls on an equal footing with boys. Today’s Scouting encourages full family participation in all programs, with increasing leadership responsibilities being placed in the hands of youth as they get older. In 2022, the Council presented 115 male and female members with the Eagle Scout badge, the most prestigious rank. “Scouting caters to families partic ipating together at every level,” said Blumenberg. “It’s the only activity you can do with your kid where you wear the same uniform and do the same activities. “In Scouting, everybody plays. That makes a huge difference.”

K-5) attend Summer Day Camp in each of the Council’s four districts. Older Cub Scouts and their families attend weekend resident camp at ISR. The Council also maintains Cache Lake Camp, a wilderness fishing and watersports outpost just across the Canadian border in Ontario. Ben Blumenberg, scout executive and CEO of the Council, said the anniversary is a significant milestone for the youth the Council serves and the communities where those young people and their families live. SCOUT OATH “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” SCOUT LAW “A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.” SCOUT MOTTO “Be Prepared.”

Troop 155 Scoutmasters Eric Hipple (right) and Therry Adcock play wood flutes at the Heartland and Wotamalo Spring Camporee at Sommer Park in Edwards

Scouts perform tasks during their weekend campout

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