LDS Friends of Scouting Campaign - Keys to Success
Key Dates:
December 2016: Packets distributed to Stake Leadership
January-March: Wards completing their campaigns
March 31st: Campaign deadline
Each successful ward campaign includes these four elements:
1) A letter explaining Friends of Scouting from the ward Bishop or Stake Presidency (see
sample on next page)
2) A targeted, scheduled, clearly communicated time frame- from one day to two weeks
3) Inclusiveness: All ward families are given the opportunity to support the program.
4) Pledge cards, checks, and other campaign materials are turned in to the council in a
timely manner.

















Bullet points for Friends of Scouting presentations
Quality Scouting experiences, particularly when bundled with Aaronic Priesthood and
Duty to God experiences, have a tremendous impact on the positive character,
emotional and spiritual development of young men.
This campaign is a critical component of the local council’s financial plan. 100% is
retained for local operations.
The council budget is planned thoroughly, carefully followed and monitored throughout
the year by qualified volunteers.
These donations support:
Leader training and support
Three service centers, in Spokane, Hayden, and Clarkston
Three great camps- Cowles Scout Reservation, Camp Easton, and Camp Grizzly
Full time field staff to support district and unit volunteers
Support staff to answer questions, register youth, track camp reservations, and more
Liability insurance
Support for district and council events
Membership recruitment materials
A Scoutreach program serving youth who otherwise couldn’t participate in the program.
Camperships covering up to half the cost of camp for Scouts across the council.
… and more - all of it representing 85% of council expenses.
$300 will support a Scout for a year.
If we achieve our goal, we’ll receive free cloth rank advancement for the rest of the
year, and a ribbon for our flag. More importantly, we’ll positively impact our young men
for decades!
<___> STAKE
<date>
TO: All Members of the <___> Stake/ <___> Ward
RE: Friends of Scouting Campaign for 2017 (Sample Letter)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
President Thomas S. Monson has said: “In this world where some misguided men and women strive to
tear down and destroy great movements such as Scouting, I am pleased to stand firm for an organization
that teaches duty to God and country, that embraces the Scout Law. The Aaronic Priesthood prepares
boys for manhood and the weightier duties of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Scouting helps our boys to
walk uprightly the priesthood path to exaltation.”
Each year, the Inland Northwest Council of the Boy Scouts of America holds its annual Friends of
Scouting fundraising drive. The LDS Scouting Handbook states that, “The Church supports the annual
Friends of Scouting drive. These funds provide financial support for the local BSA council. Stake
Presidents and bishops oversee the drive in their units.”
Scouting, when administered correctly, is an extremely effective program for preparing young men to
serve missions, make and keep sacred covenants, and become devoted husbands and fathers.
Brothers and sisters, in this day of hastening, there has never been a greater need to place focus and
attention on preparing our young people for the role they will play in taking the gospel to all the world
and in becoming the strength of the Church in the coming years.
Please consider giving generously to our Stake’s 2017 Friends of Scouting campaign.
Gratefully,
Crismon S. Lewis
President
Paul S. Hansen
First Counselor
Steven C. Christiansen
Second Counselor
Friends of Scouting- Where does the money go?
ALL of your donation stays with the local council- none of it goes to the national council.
Our council exists to support packs, troops, teams and crews
We want every unit to be recognized as Gold in Journey to Excellence.
To that end, the council provides:
- Leader training and support
- Three service centers, in Spokane, Hayden, and Clarkston
- Three great camps- Cowles Scout Reservation, Camp Easton, and Camp Grizzly
- Full time field staff to support district and unit volunteers
- Support staff to answer questions, register youth, track camp reservations, and more
- Liability insurance
- Accident insurance
-Criminal background checks for each new volunteer
-Support for district and council events
-Membership recruitment materials
-A Scoutreach program serving youth who otherwise would not be able to participate in the
program.
-Camperships covering up to half the cost of camp for Scouts across the council.
-… and more - all of it representing 85% of council expenses.
-Council leadership is accountable for the income and expenses of the budget.
-Shared with the full volunteer board every meeting
-Shared with the executive committee (a subset of the board) every meeting
-Reviewed in fine detail by the volunteer finance committee monthly. This committee
includes bankers, business owners, and other folks who regularly review finance reports. They
look the budget, statement of operations, and statement of financial position over carefully and
ask questions every month.