FRIENDS OF SCOUTING
To Contribute to Friends of Scouting via Zeffy.
Now well into our second century, Scouting America has provided our youth with positive growth opportunities for many generations, and we are proud to say that the Scout Oath and Law have not changed one word since their inception. We continue to be the largest youth movement in the United States, and scouting worldwide is the largest youth program.
Across Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, McKean, and Potter counties, more young people than ever are joining Scouting. We are so happy to have them, but with this growth comes responsibility, and we need your help!
The Allegheny Highlands Council has grown steadily over the past decade, including a 9.5% increase last year, which ranks us first in the Northeast region and third nationally. Families are choosing Scouting because they see what it does: it builds confidence, resilience, leadership, and strong moral character.
Today, we serve over 1,300 youth each year with the support of 400 dedicated volunteers. From Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA, Venturing, Exploring, and our ScoutReach afterschool program, we are meeting young people where they are — and helping them discover who they can become.
You may not know this, but registration fees go directly to the national organization instead of staying with our local chapter. Our Council funds our own camp, training, outreach programs, and the day-to-day operations that keep Scouting strong in our communities. As more families turn to Scouting, our need for your support grows.
Join us and be a part of what’s growing! A gift today will help ensure that every young person in our five counties has the opportunity to become a Scout.
*Please note: this giving platform automatically populates a 15% fee, which is NOT mandatory. You can avoid this fee by opening the drop-down menu, selecting other, and entering "0" (zero) in the contribution field.
Our Council Service Center in Falconer, New York is where unit leaders get badges and awards, literature, register new members and leaders, and receive up to date program information. It also has a large meeting room where key meetings are held throughout the year. The Service Center is staffed by career scouters and support staff that assist leaders with rechartering, recruiting, council and district activities, summer camp, and training.
Every year each member pays a thirty-four dollar registration fee, which goes directly to our national office. None of that stays in the local council. As a matter of fact, our council pays the National Office over $12,000 a year for our charter and services. Like your home, our council has the same kind of expenses: There's electric bills, phone bills, heating bills, office supply bills, postage, and the list goes on. Even though we're a non-profit organization, we still pay the going business rate. We are a business...And our business is young people.
The true lifeline of our council comes from our Friends of Scouting. It costs our council well over $150 a member each year to maintain our camps, the service center, and provide all our services. Making a gift to the Allegheny Highlands Council provides a guaranteed positive return on your investment.
Please be generous to an organization that is directly helping your child, or has had an impact on you, a friend or a loved one. This year our council must raise over $700,000, which as mentioned before, is over $150 a youth. We need your help!
You can make a difference in the lives of our local youth; and please keep in mind that no gift is too small. If you would like to make a financial gift as a Friend of Scouting, CLICK HERE, and Thank you!
If you would like to mail a check directly to us, our address is: Allegheny Highlands Council BSA, 50 Hough Hill Road, P.O. Box 261, Falconer, New York 14733. You can reach our Scout Service Center by calling 716.665.2697 during normal business hours, or CLICK HERE to email us.