Annual Report

Dear Scouting Supporter,

As I reflect on 2022, I see much that there is to be proud of. It was our year to capitalize as we returned to a new normal out of COVID-19.

Throughout the year, we continued efforts that align directly with our Council’s strategic plan. Telling our story is a pillar we spent intentional time on in 2022.

We invested in and expanded our staff by setting – and exceeding – ambitious membership recruitment goals to bring our Council closer to pre-pandemic membership levels. We continued to execute top-tier fundraising events that provided much-needed funds to keep our mission alive and well in central Indiana.

We’re diversifying our Scouting family, sharing the story of Scouting with a wider and more diverse audience, and engaging our community.

This means a diverse stakeholder group of families, board members, community partners, vendors, and staff. We want these groups to be reflective of the communities we serve.

We actively aim to make new friends and secure new partnerships.

We’re excited about partnerships with people like Marlin Jackson and his Fight for Life Foundation, using behavioral-based technology to bring out the best in youth.

And we are proud to have grown partnerships with Black-owned media groups like Radio One, Indianapolis Recorder, and WISH-TV.

Our Council has also received a multi-million-dollar grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to expand the depth of Scouting programs by reaching more youth from diverse backgrounds, including youth from communities of color.

It’s because of our incredible Scouts and volunteers that we officially opened the Skip + Alex Lange Innovation Center, the front door to Scouting at Camp Belzer, where you don’t have to be registered in Scouting to experience this awesome facility. In fact, Lawrence Township Schools are already sending classes of students to field trips there.

In today’s world, children don’t always have the resources to come to us. So, we’re committed to bringing Scouting to them, like in-school Scouting and Emil Ekiyor’s Indy Youth Sports Football League – where kids get much-needed time outside, and their adult volunteers will complete Scouting’s Youth Protection safety training.

The bottom line is if you want to be a Scout, you can be one. We will make a way for any youth through financial assistance, if needed. We’re proud of that!

From kids in Cub Scouts to young adults in the career readiness Exploring program, we need more Scouts in 2023!

We must continue our work to increase membership, advance fundraising efforts, impact and engage the community, tell the story of Scouting, and of course, continue our mission of preparing leaders of character for the future.

Finally, we’re excited to bring the Crossroads Air Show to Indy in October, and we have decided to activate the aviation theme for recruitment and summer camp: “Take Flight with Scouting.”

On behalf of the entire Crossroads of America Council, I want to share my gratitude for a successful 2022, and for your continued commitment in 2023.

Yours In Scouting,

Joseph E. Wiltrout
Scout Executive / President & CEO