Ben Blumenberg has only been on the job in Central Illinois a little more than a month, but he's already got his work laid out for him.
Blumenberg is the new scouting executive for the 14-county W.D. Boyce Council of the Boys Scouts of America.
As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, Blumenberg said it's his job to make sure scouting is on families' radar.
"We saw early in the pandemic that people pulled away from everything. But as we continue on, we see parents investing in things that are most important for their kids," he said. "Families used to be involved in four or five, six activities. And now they're choosing to pick maybe the one or two activities that are most important."
Blumenberg said the fall is typically the biggest recruitment season.
"We're working with scouts and their families right now to make sure that they're telling the story of scouting and why it's important to them. How it makes a difference in their family. Why it's one of the few activities that they choose to participate in. And the difference they see that it makes in their child," he said.
The W.D. Boyce Council said that outreach involves both boys and girls. The Scouts BSA began allowing girls to join in 2019.
Blumenberg said girls have been involved in scouting since at least the 1980s, participating in venturing and exploring programs.
"Sisters came along and and participated alongside their brothers. They did everything that their brothers did in scouting. They just weren't formally recognized," he said. "And so this was really a push from our member families that said, 'parents today are busier than they've ever been. We can't take our daughter one place, and our son another place, and we're really looking for an activity that serves the whole family.'"
Blumenberg said his family is a prime example. He has an 11-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter who both participate in cub scouting. He and his wife also join in.
Blumenberg said he believes scouting remains important - and that's ultimately key to his pitch to families.
"I think if you look at the events that are going on in our world today, it's clear to everyone that leadership and leadership with character is critical today, maybe more today than it ever has been," he said. "And so for us, the goal is to develop kids with character who have great values, on a moral system focused on the scout oath and law, and who are willing to serve their community. And we do that through the scouting program."
Click here to find out more about the W.D. Boyce Council, or call (309) 673-6136
