More than 3,600 youth between the ages of 7 and 21 are currently registered and actively participating in Scouting’s programs in Kitsap County.  From Tiger Cubs (age 7) to Boy Scouts (11-17), to Venturing and Exploring (14-21).

A wide range of local organizations sponsor the 163 Scouting units in Kitsap County operating today, including churches, schools, and fraternal and civic groups.   As sponsors, these organizations see Scouting as way to further their own efforts to improve the lives of youth and make a difference in the community.

The mission of Scouting is just as relevant today as it was a century ago – to prepare young people to make ethical choices throughout their lives by instilling in them the values outlined in the Scout Oath and Law.  The Scout Oath challenges scouts to do their best, for themselves, for their God, and for their country.  The Scout Law commits scouts to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.  Imagine the difference in a community when these character traits are embraced and followed.

In Kitsap County, there are two scouting Districts, Sinclair (covering Bremerton, Port Orchard, South Kitsap, and Belfair) and Orca (Silverdale, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Kingston, and North Kitsap).  Both Districts are part of the Chief Seattle Council, headquartered in Seattle.   The focal point for scouting activities happens at the local unit level – Cub Scout Pack, Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team, Venturing Crew, or Exploring post.  The latter two programs are coed for youth age 14 to 21.

The Chief Seattle Council provides program support and facilities to help Kitsap County Scouting units achieve their objectives and provide outdoor adventure.   Formal camps owned and managed by the Council include Camp Parsons (located on the Hood Canal), Camp Pigott and Camp Brinkley (near Monroe in the Cascade foothills) and Camp Sheppard (also located in the Cascade foothills).  These facilities, along with the terrific hiking and camping opportunities available on the Olympic Peninsula, afford Kitsap County Scouts unique outdoor experiences that rival the best available throughout the U.S.

In an effort to reach out to youth who may not otherwise take advantage of Scouting’s formal structure of Cub packs and Boy Scout troops, BSA developed a new program recently, called Scoutreach.  The goal of Scoutreach is to instill the principles and excitement of the Scouting program directly to disadvantaged youth who might otherwise not have an opportunity to participate.  The Scoutreach program is very active in Kitsap County, partnering with the Boys & Girls of the South Puget Sound with sites in Port Orchard, Bremerton, and north Mason County, as well as the Bremerton Salvation Army and Bremerton’s Parks and Recreation department.

Scoutreach is an example of how the scouting program continues to evolve and maintain relevancy, while staying true to the original mission of preparing young people to become leaders and responsible adults.  The scout motto, “Be Prepared”, means preparation for life, not just everyday living.

[Scouting in Kitsap County Today - Kurt Wiest -  Feb 2010]

From Baden Powell: