Come Celebrate 100 Years of Local Scouting

100^th anniversaries are special events. And Columbia-Montour Council BSA marks 100 years of service to area youth this year. So, it’s time for a celebration.

Open to the public, the anniversary celebration will be held June 17 in the Industrial Building at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds.

Founded on July 6, 1923, the Council has been serving the youth of Columbia, Montour and Lower Luzerne counties ever since.

“Scouting has had a huge impact on youth in this area,” said Paul Knox, Columbia-Montour Council Scout Executive. “As we begin a new century of service here, we are excited to host this anniversary celebration and invite everyone to attend.”

Scouting came to the Columbia-Montour Council Service Area in October 1910 just eight months after the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. By 1923, it was recognized that a uniform program administered by professional Scouters personally was necessary. The Council began operations, and Earl Blake Sr. was hired as the first Council Scout Executive on October 1, 1923. He came from the Philadelphia Boy Scout Council where he had been a Field Executive. He served as the Columbia-Montour Council Scout Executive until his retirement in June 1954.

The anniversary festivities kick off at 4 p.m. with a display of Council historical memorabilia and time to gather and reminisce. Displays also will feature the Council’s Eagle Scouts, Silver Beaver Award recipients, former Council Scout Executives and Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor members. The dinner program will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a procession of flags by the Council’s Scout troops, Cub packs, Venturing crews and Explorer posts and clubs.

Keynote speaker for the celebration will be long-time Scouter Columbia County Senior Judge the Honorable Thomas A. James, Jr.

All are welcome to attend – current and former Scouts and adult volunteers, supporters of Scouting, family and friends, Knox said.

Seating is limited for the dinner, so reservations must be made by June 2. To make a reservation, visit the Council’s website www.ColumbiaMontourbsa.org or call the Scout Office at 570-784-2700. Cost is $18 for kids under 18 and adult volunteers in uniform and $25 for other adults.