Collier County Men’s Republican Club contributes to Scouting

Men’s Republican Club Members from right: John Thomas, Frank Seninsky, Neil Curly, Mike Lyster and Jim Carter

The Collier County Men’s Republican Club contributed $5,000 Thursday to the Southwest Florida Council Collier County ScoutReach campership program. The campership program funds youth who would not be able to attend week long Boy Scout summer camp without financial assistance. Boy Scout summer camp is the quintessential experience in which all Boy Scouts participate to move forward in the Scouting advancement program. The fit was perfect for the Club because each boy is required to help earn his way to camp as part of the program.

John Thomas, scholarship chair stated, “We believe scouting gives young people an opportunity to invest in their own future. Perhaps we can give them a little help toward achieving that goal.” Michael Lyster, committee member concurred, “Scouting offers vast opportunities for leadership, personal growth, and career education. Boy Scout summer camps offer that and so much more. Every young man deserves the opportunity to attend.”

Scouting’s Collier Chairman Sheriff Kevin Rambosk accepted the gift and allowed youth to speak to Scouting’s value in their lives. Speaking on behalf of youth benefiting from the support, star Scout Tito R. stated, “I took the Graphics Arts merit badge class at Boy Scout summer camp and realized I would like to do this as a career. I enrolled in iTech Immokalee Technical College in Immokalee and now have my Photoshop certification. Without my leaders and support like this, I wouldn’t have found out about this.” The merit badge program has been in practice since 1910 and is one of the career education components of the Boy Scouts of America program.

Boy Scouts are aged 11 to 17 years old and are formed in Troops. The Scouting program has three specific objectives. They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America, Southwest Florida Council is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Anyone wishing to contribute, volunteer, or explore the programs with their son or daughter may call (239) 207-5366 or email JamesG@Scouting.org.

The Collier County Men’s Republican Club is actively involved in raising funds to provide scholarships, endowments and contributions to local institutions and programs, such as the Boy Scouts of America, that advocate Republican ideals and principals. This gift is intended to help scouts take advantage of the valuable learning and leadership opportunities of a summer camp experience. The contribution defrays up to 75% of the cost of summer camp enrollment, with each scout endeavoring to raise their portion of the balance. By so doing, the CCRMC believes that the virtues inculcated in the Scout Oath and Law are reinforced when put into real-world practice.