Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown Hosts Boy Scouts at City Hall
The Cradle of Liberty Council Shares Scouting’s Impact on Philadelphia Youth with Philadelphia City Council
PHILADELPHIA (October 16, 2017) — The Cradle of Liberty Council, Boy Scouts of America (COLBSA) recently presented “Scouting’s Impact on Philadelphia Youth” during a special briefing for members of the City Council of Philadelphia. Councilwoman At-Large and Majority Whip Blondell Reynolds Brown hosted the City Council briefing in the Caucus Room at City Hall. “It was our pleasure to partner with the COLBSA as they shared the positive impact their youth programs are making in districts throughout the City of Philadelphia,” said Councilwoman Brown.
Brian Wallace, Eagle Scout, a long-time Scouter, and Principal of the Morton McMichael Elementary School in Philadelphia kicked off the presentation with his personal Scouting story. “Boy Scouts helped shape me into the leader that I am today,” said Wallace. “Partnering with the COLBSA to bring Scouting to youth at my school was an easy decision. I am pleased to afford my students the same opportunity to build character and citizenship that I had as a young person growing up in the city.”
City Council representatives also had the chance to hear from some of the young Scouts representing the Cub Scouts, the Boy Scouts and the COLBSA’s two co-ed programs – Exploring and Venturing. Young people like Erick Day, a Boy Scout from Troop 303 at Zion Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, offered their unique perspectives on the benefits of Scouting. “Scouting helped me to develop as a leader, learn to serve others and grow personally,” said Day. “I’ve also made lots of new friends in Scouting; we all have fun hanging out together.”
COLBSA Scout Executive/CEO Dan Templar recognized the work being done by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, the City Council of Philadelphia, and all 
departments of city government to support Philadelphia’s youth. “We want to continue collaborating with you to bring Scouting’s 107 years of experience equipping young people with the life skills, character, and self-confidence necessary to succeed in life,” said Templar. “We currently serve 4,000 youth in Philadelphia. Together we can grow that number exponentially and make great strides in the journey of transforming Philadelphia from a city of poverty to a city of promise.”
Templar also extended an invitation to City Council to see Scouting in action at the 5th annual Philadelphia Encampment, a local camping event full of exciting outdoor activities that takes place each year at Lighthouse Field in Kensington.
About the Cradle of Liberty Council: The Cradle of Liberty Council serves more than 16,500 young boys and girls throughout Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties in nearly 500 Scouting groups chartered to civic, faith-based, and educational community organizations. It provides youth with dynamic outdoor programs that build character, foster participating citizenship, and encourage personal fitness. For more information, visit www.colbsa.org. Connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/colbsa, Instagram at www.instagram.com/colbsa and Twitter at www.twitter.com/colbsa.
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