Boy Scouts stakes out new ground

For the Boy Scouts of America, the Greater Boston area has now become extremely great.As of July 1, the two Bay State councils that comprised Metropolitan Boston and the North Shore were officially merged. As a result, the former Boston Minuteman and Yankee Clipper councils have become the Spirit of Adventure Council, whose area extends from as far north as the New Hampshire border; as far south as Quincy, and as far west as Tyngsborough and Westford.The new council takes in six districts: Great Eastern, Northern Light, West Wind, Flintlock, Sons of Liberty and Great Blue Hill.The decision to merge came six months ago.”The two councils started collaborating a year ago,” said scout executive/CEO Chuck Eaton, “We realized we’d be able to help more kids.”The merged district will encompass 13,500 youth members in Eastern Massachusetts. The goal is to enhance scouting youth development programs in Lynn, along with other communities from Boston to the New Hampshire border. The new council’s board of directors will be comprised of top business leaders in the Boston area.”The merger and creation of the Spirit of Adventure Council is truly something to celebrate, as it shows the future is bright for the Boy Scouts in Massachusetts,” said Eaton. “Our ability to provide the best programs for our kids and families is now stronger than ever, especially in urban areas. Our organization is growing, allowing us to impact more kids and inspire them to prepare for success in life, and in STEM careers of the future.”The mission of the Boys Scouts of America 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 Scout Law.The news of the merger occurred simultaneously with the news that Camp Sayre, a full service weekend destination for Cub Scouts, Boys Scouts and other youth groups, is now open to the public. The 7,000 acre campgrounds is located just 8 miles from downtown Boston, in Milton.