Arbuckle Area Council, Boy Scouts of America

The Arbuckle Area Council, BSA was formed in 1945 when the Chickasaw Council, BSA and the Pontotoc Council, BSA merged. Scouters in the old Pontotoc Council, BSA wanted to name their district after their esteemed leader, Harry Miller, and the new Arbuckle Area Council, BSA formed into an administrative unit of three districts which are the Chickasaw District, the Harry Miller District, and the Washita District--each of which still exists as an active District in the organizational structure of the Arbuckle Area Council, BSA. The Arbuckle Area Council, BSA currently serves 3,165 youth with over 600 adult volunteers. The Earl Q. Gray Scout Center was built in 1983 in Ardmore, Oklahoma and serves as the Arbuckle Area Council Office. The Arbuckle Area Council, BSA continues to serve youth in a nine county area which includes Pontotoc, Murray, Johnston, Garvin, Coal, Atoka, Carter, Love and Marshall counties. Fund from ARUW are directed toward Pontotoc County and Stratford youth.

Their mission statement is:
To instill values in youth that will enable them to make ethical choices throughout their lifetime.
 
Target population for the Cub Scout program are boys ages 6-11, grades first thru fifth. The goal to prepare them to make ethical decisions, prepare them for emergencies, and together serve their community by helping others and to be physically active to improve their health.

• Outcomes expected from this program:

• Acquire the ability to solve conflicts productively. Develop empathy toward others.
• Build self-confidence.
• Understand moral and ethical behavior.

 The target population for the Boy Scout program is boys ages 11-18 and the goal is to give a positive learning environment in an outdoor setting to teach learning skills and for them to be mentally awake, morally straight and physically strong members of society.

• Outcomes expected from this program:

• Develop reading skills. 
• Talk about experiences 
• Develop self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence, self-respect 
• Personal growth - set goals 
• Express satisfaction/be supportive 
• Improved self-esteem 
• Enhances ability to work with adults, to help others 
• Stimulates personal growth 
• Personal growth Develop reading skills Recognitions

There are 50 volunteer board members involved with this organization.  The agency does take volunteers; there are so many opportunities to volunteer you will need to be specific as to what you are interest in and contact the staff for additional details.  If you are interested in learning more, please let me know.