(Utica, NY – June 18, 2015) Over the past month, the Revolutionary Trails Council (RTC) and the Otschodela Council (OC) have been working on a comprehensive and detailed feasibility study to examine the possible consolidation of the two Councils. The new Boy Scout Council would include over 3,500 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from over six counties. If the consolidation goes through, it would make the new Council one of the strongest in the state.
Consolidation discussions began around a shared goal of attracting more youth to Scouting and creating a better Scouting experience for their youth. As neighboring Councils, it was a logical step to reach out and work together. It was then that the idea of consolidation took hold. “It makes sense that two strong Councils can do more together than separately” said Rick Bamberger, Council President of the Otschodela Council headquartered in Oneonta. “If the feasibility study results show that this is the right thing to do, then we are going to harness the combined strengths of both of our Councils to offer a world-class Scouting experience to our Scouts and volunteer leaders.”
Both Councils are in unique positions that complement each other well and provided a window of opportunity for these discussions. Last December, following a comprehensive year-long evaluation process, the RTC Executive Board voted overwhelmingly in favor of selling two of its three Scout camps to ensure an improved and sustainable camping program at Camp Kingsley for generations to come. The OC also is in the midst of change; their long-time Scout Executive is retiring this summer after a remarkable tenure of service, and they are halfway through a $2.1 million capital campaign to further develop their excellent scout camp, Henderson Scout Reservation. These actions have left both Councils looking to maximize efficiency, to get more youth to camp and to develop exciting new programming for the youth they serve.
“At the core of these discussions is the understanding that above all, we want to create a sustainable program providing a better scouting experience for our youth.” said William Kline, Council President for the Revolutionary Trails Council headquartered in Utica. “With a combined Council we can attract more scouts, train more leaders and develop programming that we never thought possible to get our Scouts excited and learning.”
By working together and combining financial resources, best practices and programs, the new Council will be able to offer programs and services that neither could offer on its own. This is not a new concept. On two previous occasions the RTC and OC conducted similar feasibility studies and concluded that the timing was not right. Given the current landscape of Scouting and the unique situations of OC and RTC it was decided that now was the time to give the matter further consideration.
Both Councils will be discussing the consolidation at their upcoming Board meetings and will be holding informational sessions open to the registered Scouts, leaders, parents and interested members of the community at the following locations and times:
RTC Meeting:
Discussion will happen as part of the Annual Scout Program Launch
June 25, 2015 – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Westmoreland Central School
Westmoreland, NY
Additional meetings will be scheduled based on interest.
OC Meetings:
June 30, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.
Henderson Scout Reservation
525 Boy Scout Road, Maryland, NY
July 2, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.
Delaware County Safety Building, Delhi, NY (County Jail Building)
280 Phoebe Lane, Delhi, NY