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ELKINS--Local scouting efforts will not be affected by the recent bankruptcy filing by Scouts BSA, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America, officials said this week.
"At the beginning of last week, our national organization filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the purpose behind that was two-fold," Scott Hanson, Scout executive and CEO of the Mountaineer Area Council, told the Inter-Mountain.
"It was to help us make sure we continue to take care of and support victims of past abuse claims and allegations but also to be able to move forward and continue on the mission of scouting, to deliver those character-building skills and traits to our youth that we're known for as an organization," he said.
"It's important for us to know--especially here locally--that the national organization and the local Mountaineer Area Council are legally separate entities," he said, noting that the bankruptcy filing does not directly impact local councils.
Hanson said the Mountaineer Area Council is self-funded by donors and local contributors.
Charlie Friddle, an Elkins City Council member as well as a member of the Mountaineer Area Council, also noted, "The national office filing of bankruptcy does not affect local councils."
"We'll continue to operate just as we have," Friddle said, adding that the local council is financially insulated from the national organization.
"There's no impact on our own financial situation, and we'll continue to move the program forward as we always have."
Friddle insisted the Randolph County Boy Scouts program remains strong and relevant.
"We've got great leadership, and we have a larger group of kids involved than ever," he said.
The Mountaineer Area Council serves scouts and scouters in North Central West Virginia counties: Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker and Upshur.