As we cross through mid-March, I want to take this opportunity to thank our staff, our board members and all the volunteers for all that you do for Scouting in Montana Council. It is especially important in these times that we continue to serve our youth in Scouting with our outstanding programs.
This past Sunday was the first day of Spring – not that the weather reflected that across the state – and it’s hard not to have spring fever. The tulips begin to emerge from the gardens, breezes are a bit warmer and a bit sweeter. As I look forward to the upcoming campouts, cookouts, hikes and adventures – it’s also a good time to reflect on our accomplishments already this year.
Thank you to all the staff, volunteers, and Scouters for their arduous work on all the Investment in Character and Leadership (ICL) fundraising events that have occurred so far. I know they take an astounding amount of hard work.
Congratulations to Northwest District, Prickly Pear District, Mountain Valley District, Black Otter District and the Mullan Trail District for the fantastic job they did on these events. I know several other districts have ICL fundraising events scheduled for later this spring, including Lewis and Clark District, Vigilante District, Central District, Buffalo Plains District, Shortgrass District and Badlands District.
These events are incredibly important in helping fund our Scouting program. ICL helps pay for Scouts membership fees for those that cannot afford it, Camp Scholarships and the Staff Scholarships programs, training for Scouters and summer camp for youth – to name a few.
They are also so important to our local communities. Thank you again to the Montana Council Development Staff and all our District Executives for their Leadership in servicing these important events.
Thank you to everyone for all that you have done for our outstanding organization. What an amazing way to start our spring. Now let’s GROW Scouting in 2022!
Yours in Scouting,
Dirk Smith
Scout Executive
