Local Scout council recognized for growth

HUNTINGTON -- Tri-State Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, has been recognized for its strong membership this year.

It leads the 13 councils in Area IV of the Central Region in membership growth for the first six months of 2008. Area IV includes five councils with offices in West Virginia and eight councils in eastern Ohio.

SCOUTS GROWING IN NUMBERS: The local council serves nearly 7,000 youth annually in Lawrence, Carter and Boyd counties in Kentucky; Meigs, Gallia and Lawrence counties in Ohio; and Mason, Lincoln, Wayne and Cabell counties in West Virginia.

Tri-State Area Council increased membership in the traditional programs of Cub Scouting, Boy Scouts and Venturing by 4.1 percent. This progress follows three consecutive years of growth in the number of youth served.

"What makes this growth so outstanding is that our youth population has decreased every year that we have shown membership growth," said Ray Franks, scout executive for the Tri-State Council. Meanwhile, tenure has lengthened for the youth who joined, he added.

COUNCIL, INDIVIDUALS TO BE HONORED: The council will be honored by the National Council as a Chief Scout Executive Winners Circle Council, and three of the professional staff -- Jim Rastetter, John Pinkerman and Franks -- will be honored as "Above and Beyond Performers" for their individual achievement in membership growth.

Volunteers and professional staff continue to do an excellent job of seeing that every youth has an opportunity to join one the scouting programs, said William Smith, vice president of membership for the council.

SCOUT PROGRAMS CONTRIBUTE TO SUCCESS: Franks credited the council's outstanding programs, such as the Marshall University Merit Badge College, Aquatics Camp and Regional Jamboree & Family Camp held at Barboursville Park, as the reason for the council showing growth in the past.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more on volunteering or joining one of the Boy Scout programs, call the Scout Service Center at 304-523-3408.