ARLINGTON — Nearly 600 Boy Scouts of America volunteers from five counties are set to gather today at Haller Middle School to get a pep talk and some intensive training.
It’s called the University of Scouting, but the gathering also is an early celebration of the Boy Scout centennial coming in 2010.
Wayne Brock, national chief operating officer for the organization, is scheduled to talk about what the Boy Scouts of America has in store for its next 100 years.
“This is a purpose-driven celebration,” Brock said. “Not a birthday party.”
For starters, he said, Boy Scouts of America needs to do a better job of telling its story. In the coming years, people can expect stepped-up recruiting and public relations efforts.
Plans to involve Hispanic families are under way, Brock said.
Though Hispanics make up about 15 percent of the population, only about 3 percent of registered scouts are Hispanic, according to material released by the organization.
“Our research shows that Hispanic families share the same values as scouting, but few family members have been involved before. So no one is there to introduce kids to scouts,” Brock said. “Instead of using camping as the activity to get kids involved, we have a soccer program that is attracting attention among Hispanic families.”
In addition to recruitment, the organization plans to send a touring truck and staff to festivals and sporting events throughout the country. The touring group will talk about scouting from historical and current perspectives, Brock said. A national speakers bureau and a national leadership hall of fame are planned, as well.
Brock said he is proud of the work of the Mount Baker Council, which includes scout troops in Snohomish, Island, Skagit, Whatcom and San Juan counties. With 3 million members in 300 councils nationwide, Mount Baker is one of the best, he said.
Mount Baker Council executive director Duane Rhodes returned the compliment by saying he expects Brock’s address today to be inspiring.
“It should be affirming to the volunteers that they are part of a large and successful organization,” Rhodes said.
Brock began his scouting career in the early 1970s, working as a council director and executive, and then as the southern regional director for Boy Scouts. Brock’s current responsibilities include scouting programs, membership, finances, national meetings, Web sites, publications, the international division and long-range planning.
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