Friends in Scouting

WHAT IS F.0.S.?

The Northern Lights Council 2004 annual budget is $2,531,000.  A portion of that money will come from United Ways, activity and camp fees, special events and income from our trust fund. However, these sources fall short of providing all of the income necessary to support the programs and services now offered to Scouts and leaders. To make up the difference, the Council conducts a Friends of Scouting (F.O.S.) campaign. This campaign allows those families who wish to donate to Northern Lights Council an opportunity to do so.

Why Should Your Unit Support the F.O.S. Campaign?

In order to continue to provide the best Scouting program, the best activities, the best camp, the best training for leaders and the best service to our units, and all of the other things that bring a quality Scouting experience to our children, we need everyone's support! When your unit participates in the F.O.S. campaign, you will be helping to ensure a bright future for your unit and the entire Northern Lights Council.

How Can You Help?

This is the time when the families of the Scouts are given the opportunity to support the council as a part of the annual F.O.S. effort. Each unit in the Northern Lights Council can and should participate in the 2009 F. O.S. campaign; it's as easy as 1-2-3. Here's how to do it!

1. Pick a date in January, February, March or April for a Friends of Scouting volunteer to come and give a short (10-12 minute) presentation. The best times are blue and gold banquets and courts of honor. Let us know your date by filling out the accompanying coupon or the one that was in your program kick-off packet or telephone your District Executive to schedule your FOS presentation.
2. Pick a parent or other volunteer to serve as your unit's F.O.S. chair. This person will coordinate the campaign in your unit and ensure that every family has the opportunity to support Scouting.
3. Let the parents know the date of the presentation, put it on the front end of the agenda and promote their support and participation.

How Does Your Unit Benefit from Friends of Scouting?

- Listed here are but a few of the things that F.O.S. does to make your program better 

•  Provides for year-round operation of Camp Wilderness;
• Conducts training programs for volunteers;
• Provides liability insurance for you as a Scout volunteer;
• Conducts activities for your unit to participate in such as district and council camporees, Cub Scout camps and much more;
• Provides a professional staff to assist and give guidance to your unit;
• Offers every interested young person regardless of financial condition, developmental disability or location the opportunity to belong to Scouting;
• Provides financial assistance to individuals in the form of camperships;
• Produces monthly district and council newsletters and special informational mailings for units.

But What About Our Registration Fees?

The registration fee that is paid by each youth and adult is a national fee. It is sent, in its entirety, to the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America. The same is true of unit charter fees.

FRIENDS OF SCOUTING "FOS" SUCCESS BEGINS WITH YOU

Friends of Scouting (F.O.S.) are money memberships above and beyond United Way giving that allows Friends of Scouting to financially support the Northern Lights Council. Contributions range from $25 to $25,000 and have come from parents of Scouts, businesses, and corporations. Your F.O.S. dollars provide for camp maintenance, School Night to Join Scouting, and other membership supplies, mailings, liability insurance for boys and leaders, coordination and development of activities like camporees, day camp, and klondike derbies, program equipment like canoes, boats, rifles used at camp, audio visual training aids, professional staff service, camperships, and much, much more.