“Is it true that Scouts are good at solving problems”?

In the first installment of this series, I spoke about what I had been working on for the last 6 months. One of those things was the development of a Membership Growth Plan. The good news is that we have developed a strategy that I feel will result in Membership Growth this year. I will share those details in another installment. But while we were in the process of developing that plan, something happened that opened my eyes to a valuable source of information that I hadn’t considered up to that point. I had the honor of participating in an Eagle Board of Review. When it was my turn to ask this soon-to-be Eagle Scout a question, I had one. “If you were in my seat, what would you do to grow membership?” I thought this was going to be a tough one. Much to my (naïve) surprise, the answer was instantaneous, succinct, well delivered, and well thought out. I walked out of the review board thinking “I need this young person on my team.” Which leads me to the heart of this week’s message.

I want to start utilizing the brightest minds in the Council to help shape our growth plans. It’s a tried-and-true strategy. Terms like “Best and Brightest,” “Agents of Change,” “Diversity of Thought,” are all associated with the strategies of adding young talent to businesses. Beyond that, giving a voice to your customers is always a great strategy. So, that’s what we’re going to do! My thoughts are simple, but the execution may be hard. What I would like is to have our Scouts help with the following key initiatives:

Support Scouting today by making a donation to our Friends of Scouting campaign. In addition to helping local Scouting, you can help your unit get closer to earning valuable unit incentives!

Every Scout. Every family. Every opportunity. Let’s grow! The 2026 Golden Ticket Spring Recruiting Campaign runs March 15 through May 15, and every current Scout earns one Golden Ticket for each friend they recruit who joins any program. Each Golden Ticket becomes an entry to win this year’s grand prize — a drone built for adventure — along with additional outdoor prizes including tents, sleeping bags, hammocks, and more.

This council-wide effort strengthens Packs, Troops, Crews, and Ships as we head into summer, whether by building dens, reinforcing patrols, or expanding high‑adventure teams. Spring is the perfect time for Scouts to invite friends to discover the fun, challenge, and community of Scouting. When units grow now, they step into summer with energy, excitement, and a stronger foundation for the year ahead.

Join us Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Oshkosh at the Jesuit Retreat Campus held on beautiful lake Winnebago. Here we will recognize Silver Beaver award recipient (the highest Council award a volunteer can receive). We will also recognize three (NOESA) National Eagle Scout Award Eagle Scouts. Eagle Scouts whose efforts have made a positive impact in the community. 

Come join us for a weekend of camping and learning Saturday, April 25-26, 2026, at Camp Rokilio! This fun and informative course includes much outdoor learning, camping, knife safety, GPS, hiking, cooking and more! Beyond outdoor skills, we teach fun programming tips, ceremonies, and how to put on memorable campfire programs. Get hands on learning experience about what it means to be a Cub Scout!

Completion of the BALOO course is required for at least ONE leader or parent in a Pack that attends any overnight programming including, Webelos/AOL campouts, family camps, museum overnighters, EAA sleepovers, Zoo campouts, etc.

The cost is $60 per adult which covers food, program materials, take home resources and facilities. For more information, please contact Tammi Thurow.

The Bay-Lakes Council contingent for Philmont is looking for one more adult and a couple more youth to attend a high adventure backpacking trek in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Cimarron, New Mexico. Travel by Amtrak train to New Mexico, then spend eleven days and ten nights on the trail at “Scouting’s Paradise”. This is not a glorified summer camp. Philmont Scout Ranch provides the opportunity for groups to select backpacking trips of 50 to over 100 miles in length. There are 250,000 acres of mountain terrain available for you to explore. Our group may participate in multiple activities including climbing high mountain peaks (up to 12,441 feet); gold panning; mountain biking; rock climbing; horseback riding; black powder, pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooting; homesteading; burro packing; and much more. You will have the chance to see and experience how people lived in the old West. Most participants consider a trip to Philmont among the highlights of their Scouting careers.

Camp with us during the GT World Challenge Weekend and enjoy thrilling adventures and amazing experiences at Road America.  Scouts will get a 3-day experience come for a day or stay all three days. Activities include walking/riding bikes around the 4 miles race circuit, outdoor movie on the big screen during sun set, explore the paddock and pits talking with race teams and drivers, hands on automotive activities, disc golfing, geocaching, grid walk and present the colors during the National Anthem, explore karting day that Saturday with go-kart races happening on the Motorplex circuit., and so much more!

Feedback: Have a thought or question? We'd love to hear from you. Please share your comments with us. It is easy; just reply to this email or send a message to guide@baylakesbsa.org.