Last Frontier Council-Boy Scouts of America

PROJECT PURPOSE

Our Program: The Boy Scouts of America?s Youth Development Program prepares youth to make ethical choices over their lifetime. Program membership is open to boys and girls ages 6 to 20. The program is delivered through tightly knit groups, such as Cub Scout Packs and Scouts BSA Troops. Scouts in these groups engage in a variety of activities designed to address their physical, mental, and spiritual needs. Camping, hiking, and a variety of outdoor education programs teach them how to be resourceful and maintain healthy lifestyles. Earning rank advancements, awards and merit badges provide Scouts a tangible way to see how service projects and other activities translate into development of leadership skills, self-reliance, initiative, and moral accountability. Our Project: A new Scout Program Center coupled with transportation will provide a centrally located place for both urban and rural Scouts. The last 36-months have highlighted the opportunity to better serve communities disproportionately affected by the Pandemic. Construction of a new Scout Program Center will better serve urban neighborhoods, provide economic stimulus through construction and ongoing programs, and leverage the resources of surrounding Oklahoma City Districts.

EVIDENCE

National studies suggest that youth participation in Scouting can have profound implications on their future. In a study conducted by Tufts University, Cub Scouts reported significant increases in cheerfulness, helpfulness, kindness, obedience, trustworthiness and hopeful future expectations. There were no significant increases reported among non-Scouts. Locally each year parents, teachers and volunteers are surveyed to measure the success of the program. In 2020, 90% achieved moderate or significant positive change in Demonstration of a Position of Responsibility, Self-Reliance, Service to Others, Behavior/Attitude, Life Skills Development, and Ability to work in a Team.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Oklahoma school students scored lower on standardized tests in 2021 following a year of disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Education. The department reported 22.1% scored proficient in math, 24.8% in English language arts and 29.7% in science. The last testing, in 2019, found 31.9% proficient in math, 33.4% in English language arts and 34.5% in science. All youth in Oklahoma are actively recruited and welcome to join Scouting. We include all people into our program who agree to live by the ideals of Scouting. Youth can join regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, religious denomination, income level, disability, sexual orientation, primary language, culture, and residential status. Scouting is a full-family program impacting the community far beyond the youth we serve. Not only are the youth in Scouting affected, but their parents and leaders benefit from the education and character development our program provides.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Programmatic date on the Scouting Program is collected though a survey is sent to all parents, volunteers, and teachers to help track our success by measuring positive change and results show that parents, teachers and volunteers continue to see positive results in the program. On a participant level, we measure the following as success indicators: -Rank Advancements -Merit Badges Earned -Eagle Scout ranks achieved -Service Hours to Others Project performance is measured on meeting fundraising benchmarks, construction timelines and the number of individuals served at the location.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma