SCOUTING AIMS TO SERVE MORE BASTROP COUNTY YOUTH IN ‘25
Rebrand reflects efforts to welcome everyone to experience Scouting’s benefits
 
(BASTROP) – Scouting in Central Texas has a new year’s resolution: to welcome more boys and girls and their families into a fun program that helps produce successful and valued community members. 
 
Bastrop County is part of the Capitol Area Council in Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America). The name change formally goes into effect on February 8, which is the 115th anniversary of Scouting in the United States.  
 
“We want to make absolutely certain that every family understands that they have a place in Scouting,” says Kurt Lemke, Capitol Area Council Board President. “Although Scouting America is a new name, the adventure, values, and lessons for life that have always been a part of Scouting remain the same.”
 
The name change also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Scouting America currently serves more than 176,000 girls and young women across all programs, including more than 6,000 who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
 
Scouting America builds on the organization’s ongoing goal of providing young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, foster their growth and future outcomes as leaders, and be prepared for life. At the same time, values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.
 
Scouting currently provides the following programs in Bastrop County and surrounding areas: Cub Scout Packs 142 (Lexington), 180 (Bastrop), 182 (Elgin), 183 (Smithville), 204 (La Grange), 471 (Elgin), 1441 (Bastrop), and Scouts BSA Troops 98 (girl troop, Bastrop), 142 (boy troop, Lexington), 182 (boy troop, Elgin), 183 (boy troop, Smithville), 204 (boy troop, La Grange), 472 (boy troop, Elgin), 473 (girl troop, Elgin), 1423 (boy troop, Bastrop), and 2010 (boy troop, Bastrop). Cub Scouts is open to boys and girls in Kindergarten through 5^th Grade. Scouts BSA is open to boys or girls in 6^th through 12^th Grades.
 
To learn more about and join the Scouting program in Bastrop County, please visit www.BeAScout.org and find the Scouting unit closest to you. If you have questions or need additional information, contact BJ Stiles at 512-638-7723 or Bruce.stiles@scouting.org.