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Dear Greater LA Scouting Friends,
Today, we celebrate Scouting’s 114th birthday! And we celebrate generations of America’s youth who have benefited from the unmatched positive impact of Scouting’s leadership training, character development and outdoor programs. 2023 was an eventful year for Greater Los Angeles Scouting, and we are proud to share with you the difference our volunteers and supporters made:
- 15,057 youth from our council and others received second-to-none leadership and character development through their experience with Greater LA Scouting – they participated in year-round programming and/or attended one of our fantastic camps.
- 82,828 community service hours provided by 416 new Eagle Scouts will leave their mark on Los Angeles and the neighborhoods, nonprofits, and individuals benefiting from the projects.
- We continued our commitment to ensure that every youth, regardless of background, socioeconomic status or any other factor, can join Scouting. Nearly 600 Scouts in underserved areas received assistance with registration and membership fees, and hundreds were provided with financial support for camp attendance. We continue to grow the number of girls on our membership rolls. Because Scouting is for everyone.
- Our Exploring program provided immersive career experience to 633 young people in Los Angeles as they prepare to join tomorrow’s workforce.
- In a year when youth programs were more important than ever but many youth-serving organizations saw a decrease in participation, Greater LA Scouting grew our membership.
This year is off to a great start. If you are reading this letter, you already know how important Scouting’s values and leadership training is. Camp Big Horn is heading towards a sell-out 75th anniversary summer, and Camp Pollock will host our first Outdoor Science Camp this Spring when we welcome Alhambra Unified School District for six sessions.
But we have not been immune to rising prices and a higher cost of doing business. And we rely upon the generosity of our Scouting families via efforts like camp card sales and charitable contributions to our annual giving campaign. Corporate and foundation partners help us close the funding gap as well. Our $80 local program fee per youth covers less than 15% of the cost to deliver a safe, engaging and impactful Scouting program each year.
You can learn more. In an ongoing effort to enhance communication and transparency, our 2022 audited financial statements and Form 990 tax return are posted on our website. Our 2023 financial statements and 990 will be posted upon completion of our annual independent audit in early June.
The board and staff team join me in thanking you for being part of this amazing and life changing organization. I’m honored to serve you on our trek into a bright and promising future.
Scouts lead the way,
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