MTCBSA 2022 Annual Report

Dear Friends, Scouting programs in the Middle Tennessee Council are stronger than ever. We have come back from the challenges faced during the pandemic and our youth are “back to normal” with exciting and adventurous Scouting programs that instill selfconfidence, teach leadership skills and positive values and encourage mental and physical fitness.

Many young people throughout our Nation are experiencing a mental health crisis, and if you look at the solutions to improving the mental health of our youth, Scouting programs meet almost all of the criteria. Supportive role models, robust outdoor activities and programs, consistency in their friends and leaders, and a sense of purpose just to name a few of the positive aspects of Scouting programs. Scouting is needed now more than ever, and we need to provide even more youth and adult volunteer leaders with the opportunity to benefit from Scouting.

Our youth membership is growing and our new camp improvements and programs like the Skilled Trades Merit Badges at Boxwell Scout Reservation are being well received by MTC Scouts, leaders and parents. The new Roy Grindstaff Skilled Trades Center will open this summer and will offer merit badges like Automotive Maintenance, Home Repair, Welding, Plumbing, American Business and Electricity. This is the only new, free-standing building of its type on any Scout Camp in the USA. There were 9,747 Scouts participating in programs at one of our four Council Camps in 2022.

We built the 100th Anniversary Veteran’s Gateway this past year. This iconic gateway was built as a smaller version of the “Crab”. Not only does it provide more security for the camp, but we also have a monument next to the gateway that recognizes Scouts and leaders who attended Boxwell and later went on to serve in the US Armed Forces. Over 400 names are currently listed on the monument.

Some positive Middle Tennessee Council results or “Pride Points” from 2022 are 5,414 new families joined the over 388 Scouting Packs, Troops, Crews, Posts, Ships and STEM Labs throughout the Council. We ended 2022 with 6,201 Youth Protection trained and registered adult volunteers leading Middle Tennessee Scouting programs. These leaders dedicate their time, talents, and treasures to ensuring youth have a bright future and are prepared to take on challenges and opportunities.

We are looking forward to even bigger and better Scouting results in 2023. Scouting programs are part of the backbone of our Middle Tennessee communities and have made them better places to live and work for all citizens. Thank you for your continued support to ensure these programs make a difference for many generations to come.

Yours in Scouting,

Jack B. Turner Chairman of Trustees

Carolyn Rambo Treasurer

Kevin Monroe Assistant Treasurer

Jack Stringham

Robb Harvey Council Attorneys

Vice Presidents

Summer Bryan......................................................... Administration

Bob Van Cleave ................................................................ Camping

Fant Smith ........................................................ District Operations

John H. Roe Jr. ............................................................ Endowment

Samuel J. Belk................................................................... Finance

Pete Williston ................................................................. Manpower

Dan Mohnke ................................................................... Marketing

Harry Fisk ................................................................... Membership

Robert Guisinger .............................................................. Program

Mark Buchanan .............................................................. Properties

Howard C. Gentry Jr ..................................................... Scoutreach

J. B. Baker ............................................................ Special Projects

Matt Brown ........................................................... Special Projects

Andrew W. Byrd .................................................... Special Projects

John Chobanian ................................................... Special Projects

William R. DeBerry ............................................... Special Projects

Trey Harwell ......................................................... Special Projects

Hank Ingram ......................................................... Special Projects

Teresa Kingery...................................................... Special Projects

Joe Russell ........................................................... Special Projects

George Stadler ..................................................... Special Projects

Eric Strickland....................................................... Special Projects

Ken Weaver .......................................................... Special Projects

Cy Fenton ............................................................................. STEM

National Council Representatives

Karen Bengtson

Dr. John Bright Cage

Ray Cap

Ken Weaver

Dr. John Bright Cage President

Carl Haley Jr. Chairman of Board Karen Bengtson Council Commissioner

Tim Acree

Tom Adkinson

Clark Akers

Roy D. Alexander

*Chuck Allen

*Rajeev Amara

Michael Anastasi

Rick Archer

DeVan D. Ard, Jr.

Chris Armstrong

Howie Arnold

J. B. Baker

Tom Baker

Michael Baron

Craig Becker

Sam Belk

Karen Bengtson

Chad Blackburn

Steve Blackmon

W. P. Bone, III

William Braddy III

Jeff Bradford

Alex Brandau

Tyler Brandes

Clay Bright

Stephen Brophy

Lattie N. Brown

Matt Brown

Stuart Brunson

Summer Bryan

John S. Bryant

*Jim Bryson

Mark Buchanan

Eric Burk

Tod Burnham

Andrew W. Byrd

John Bright Cage

Jay Carroll

Greg Cashion

John Chobanian

Don Cochran

Bill Cody

Rodney Cohen

Russ Connelly

Dan Cook

Jeff Cook

Robert E. Corlew, III

J. B. Cox

Justin D. Crosslin

Andy Daniels

*Jim Darter

*Joseph Day

Jerry Deal

William R. DeBerry

Dan Dellinger

Steve Dix

Jim Dyer

John Eakin

Mark Emkes

Pete Ezell

Todd Falk

Jim Felch

Cy Fenton

Harry Fisk

Robert Flack

*Wyatt Foutch

Mark Freeland

John Garland

David Garrett

Armando Garza

Abe Gaskins

Howard Gentry

Sharon Gentry

Landon Gibbs

Jeff Gordon

Mark Green

Mike Greene

Robert Guisinger

Bill Hagerty

Carl Haley

John Harney

Howard Harris

Robb Harvey

Aubrey B. “Trey” Harwell, III

Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr.

Harris Haston

Don Haynes

Scott Heard

Todd Henry

Waymon L. Hickman

William B. Hickman

*Adam Hicks

James Hildreth

David Hill

Damon T. Hininger

Jay Hollomon

Hank Ingram

Julius Johnson

*Stephen Kalb

Paul Ketchel

Bill Ketron

D. J. King

Teresa Kingery

Tab Kirkland

Hunter Kitchens

Paul Kleine-Kracht

Kurt Kowalski

John Langsdon

Jim Larson

John W. Lea

Nancy Leach

Joe Lester

Kim Looney

Randy Lowry

Scott Lynn

Bob Mackie

*Brad Marks

Robert D. Massey

Hill McAlister

Robert A. McCabe, Jr.

John McDearman

Sherry McGugin

Don Miller

Dan Mohnke

Kevin Monroe

*Rob Mortensen

Roland Myers

*Adam Nuse

Richard Olszewski

Mike O’Malley

Larry Papel

Gary Parkes

*Lauren Patten

John Pearce

Clay Petrey

Chuck Pierce

Cary W. Pulliam

David Raiford

Carolyn Rambo

Mark Raulston

James A. Reed

Jason Ricciardi

John Richardson

John H. Roe, Jr.

Robert Rogers

Ian Romaine

*Rod Roudi

Joe Rusell

Dan Ryan

Craig Salazar

Dexter Samuels

Gary D. Sasser

Patrick Sheehan

Jerry Shelton

Chip Smith

Fant Smith

Rick Smith

Montee Sneed

Chris Snoddy

James (Jimmy) W.

Spradley, Jr.

George Stadler

Tyler Staelin

Lelan Statom

Joe N. Steakley

*Chuck Steiner

*Solomon Steiner

Linda Stinson

Laquita Stribling

Eric Strickland

Jack Stringham

Nathaniel Summar

Hoover Sutherland

Hugh C. Tanner

Jorge Tarajano

Isaac Thompson

Jack B. Turner

Tony Turner

Bob VanCleave

Bradford Vieira

Andrew Wall

Giles Ward

Ken Weaver

Philip Welker

Cameron Wells

Joe Wheeler

Pete Williston

Ward Wilson

*Beth Winstead

Charles Womack

Walt Wood

* New Board Member

12,861 Scouts were mentored by 6,201 youth protection trained adult volunteers in 388 neighborhood centered units.

Cub Scouts ....................... 8,926

Scouts BSA ...................... 3,424

Venturers ............................... 96

Explorers ............................. 158

STEM Scouts ........................ 77

388 Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, STEM Scout Labs, Explorer Posts and Venturing Crews chartered to churches and community organizations: Cub Scout Packs ................. 184 Scouts BSA Troops ............. 172 Venturing Crews .................... 19 Exploring Posts ...................... 11 STEM Labs .............................. 2

Scoutreach Program

The Scoutreach Initiative’s cornerstone is positive engagement with neighborhood leaders and listening to and supporting parents and their families. This initiative removes barriers to Scouting by recruiting and training adult volunteers, assisting with financial concerns, and helping with transportation needs. Scoutreach provides an exciting opportunity and a compass to help young people develop their sense of purpose, confidence, and dream beyond what is in front of them. There is no doubt that we are developing tomorrow’s leaders today through Scoutreach.

At the start of 2022, the MTCBSA renewed and strengthened the emphasis on the Scoutreach initiative. The year began with 506 youth supported by the Scoutreach initiative and ended 2022 with 617 youth experiencing Scouting in 22 Cub Scout Packs, twelve Scouts BSA troops, and one STEM lab. The outcomes we see are increased self-esteem in youth as they learn skills to help them be successful in and out of school. As demonstrated over the last twentyplus years, the Scoutreach initiative continues to teach life skills, develop a love of service, and create lifelong memories for boys and girls and their parents.

The Council invested

$467,080 in the Scoutreach Initiative in 2022.

Special Assistance

The Council program makes Scouting possible to all current and potential members in the form of need-based financial assistance.

880 youth and 97 adults received some type of assistance totalling to $69,937.

Community Service

20,067 hours of service in projects at churches, schools, and other local nonprofit organizations were completed by Scouts and leaders. Those service hours translate into almost a $601,007 investment into Middle Tennessee communities.

2,032 Scouts and volunteers in MTC collected over 43,627 pounds of food items for the Scouting for Food drive. Held each February, the event helps support local food pantries across the Council.

MTC, BSA owns and operates four camping facilities:

Boxwell Reservation on Old Hickory Lake

Grimes Canoe Base on the Buffalo River

Latimer Reservation on the Cumberland Plateau

Parish Reservation at Rock Island

Each camp provides a unique outdoor experience, but all offer opportunities for Scouts and families to explore, learn, have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime.

22,193 nights camping by MTC Scouts.

10,182 merit badges were earned by MTC Scouts BSA youth, as they learned new skills, sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and explored future careers that reflect their buidding interests.

9,747 Scouts participated in programs at one of the Council four camp properties.

Citizenship in the Society

First Aid

Personal Fitness

Camping

Communication

Top 10 Merit Badges

Cooking

Environmental Science

Personal Management

Emergency Preparedness

Citizenship in the World

Scouting Investments

Wyatt Hensley Webelos, Pack 358

With a very generous spirit, Wyatt gave up his entire summer vacation to work in his church’s food ministry. He spent full days packing up bags to give away. He also learned how to use a pallet jack and always had a smile on his face. When Wyatt’s mother asked him why he was willing to do this work during his vacation he replied, “I am not doing this for me, I am doing this for my heavenly father, Jesus Christ.” Wyatt has certainly taken to heart that a Scout is Reverent.

Matthew Pyle Second Class, Troop 593

Within a three-month period, Matthew used skills learned in Scouting to help after a tornado hit his neighborhood and help save a life after witnessing a horrible car accident. When an EF3 tornado struck Dickson, Matthew and his father used chainsaws and a tractor to clear the area in the early morning hours for emergency vehicle to pass. In another heroic effort, Matthew witnessed a speeding car lose control and flip over, causing the door to close on the passenger’s neck. Matthew and his father were able to respond quickly, pull the car back with their tractor and perform first aid until emergency responders arrived. His quick action in alerting his father and using first aid skills helped to save the man’s life.

David Olakunle First Class, Troop 621

David is an exemplary student, athlete, citizen and Scout. His technical skills have set him apart and assisted both his neighborhood and his church. David was the designer of a neighborhood application that helps development relationships, allows neighbors to communicate in case of emergency and collects security video that is all kept on one dashboard. The

platform won a Youth App Design Award. David has assisted his church with their Facebook page and overseeing the live stream services. His Troop benefits from his leadership in serving as troop historian. David enjoys helping younger members of the Troop and is friendly and respectful to everyone he knows.

Jack Jones

Life Scout, Troop 137

Jack’s courage in a frightening situation saved a friend’s life. During recess at Page Middle School one of Jack’s friends was playing with a water bottle when the cap popped off and became lodged in his throat. Their teacher was called and she started to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Jack stepped in and said that he was trained in first aid and asked if he could help. He positioned himself behind the other student and was able to move the cap enough for the student to breathe before he was taken to the hospital. Jack stepped in during an emergency because he knew he had something to offer. Because of that decision he saved his friend’s life.

Hannah Neal

Life Scout, Crew 357, Troop 2019, Ship 1919

Hannah is a member of the first female Troop in the Council, has attended Boxwell Summer Camp and mastered the Welding merit badge, hiked the Appalachian Trail, went to Philmont, participated in service projects, and went through the National Youth Leadership Training. She is currently serving as the Venturing Officers Association President and received the Venturing Leadership Award. Hannah was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and has served on the Lodge Executive Council, the OA Summer Camp Representative and is currently Vice Chief of Service. Hannah has been chosen to attend the World Jamboree in South Korea in 2023 and document her experience for an exhibit at the National Scout Museum at Philmont Scout Ranch. Hannah still has a lot ahead of her, including earning the Eagle Rank.