Richard Stockton, CEO, with local Boy Scouts
In a county offering a bevy of extracurricular activities, it is a testament to the ingenuity of Westchester-Putnam Council, Boy Scouts of America that they are able to constantly evolve and create unique programming for more than 8,000 local youths while maintaining their core mission of developing responsible, civic-minded citizens.
The Boy Scouts, with units in virtually every Westchester and Putnam town, have made some remarkable changes recently, including implementing a program for kindergarteners called Lions and even welcoming girls into Cub Scout dens. Next up: Older girls will be able to earn the rank of Eagle Scout as of 2019.
Richard Stockton, Scout Executive/CEO of the Westchester-Putnam Council, which was formed in 1973, has worked with the Boy Scouts since 1995 and joined the Westchester-Putnam division this past fall. “Scouting is about preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. We use the outdoors and adult mentors to achieve this goal,” explains Stockton.
Families are actively engaged, and more than 3,500 adult volunteers help these local Boy Scouts with everything from community-wide clean-ups to writing and directing a video about breast cancer screening.
The nonprofit never turns away families who can’t pay their dues. “We are a family-involved program that encourages all Scouts to achieve, lead, and learn,” sums up Stockton.
