Supporting our community through service
The Crossroads of America Council partners with several community organizations throughout the year to offer Scout Units and families discounted and/or “behind the scenes” experiences at attractions and events. Most of these events are not official BSA or Council events. Therefore BSA staff are not required to be present. Community partners are responsible for all activity planning and communication regarding the event. Many of these events are also open to the public.
Note that families are welcome to attend events without their Scouting Unit.
Ticket order deadlines vary by event, and registration information will be made available close to each event date. Please contact Crossroads of America Council by email or phone at 317-813-7125 for more information.
Community Service
Helping others is one of the fundamental values of Scouting and allows Scouts to see the value to contributing to their community. Scouts and their Units are encouraged to regularly participate in community service activities, including those offered by the Council, district, or unit.
UPDATE – JTE Service Hour entry now has to be recorded via the Internet Advancement platform, using my.scouting username and password for access. Information on the new site is available at help.scoutbook.com.
HOW TO: Record Service Hours (BSA) Video
Council-Sponsored Community Service Events
The Council sponsors various community service activities annually by partnering with local organizations. All Units are encouraged to participate in these events. In addition to performing a good deed, hours served count toward your Unit service hours and can be entered using our buttons.
Scouting for Food Program
Scouting for Food is a national Boy Scouts of America community stewardship project aimed at addressing the problem of hunger in local communities.
During this time, Scouts will be delivering bags/stickers and then picking up the bags of food at a later date. Once food is collected, units are to take it directly to their food pantry of choice.
Participation in Scouting for Food counts toward service hours.
The 2023 Scouting for Food Program takes place from Saturday, April 15 to Saturday, April 22.
Please complete your Unit’s Commitment to Participate before March 31 to receive donation bags and stickers from the Council.
• Canned hearty soup, stew or chili: Supplies many nutrients.
• Canned tuna, chicken, salmon or luncheon meat (e.g., Spam): Contains protein and
iron. Canned salmon is a source of calcium and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Canned fruit: Supplies vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, fiber and other healthy
substances.
• Canned vegetables: Supplies beta carotene, vitamin C, folate, complex
carbohydrates, fiber and potassium.
• Canned tomato or pasta sauce: contains lycopene, a healthy substance that is more
available to your body in canned and cooked tomatoes than in fresh.
• Canned beans: Contains plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates and fiber.
• Canned evaporated milk: Makes an excellent source of calcium and protein.
• Plastic jars of peanut butter.
Please avoid donating expired food as most food banks must then sort and remove them.
Thank you for supporting your community by contributing to your local food pantry.
Good Turn for Nature – Council Fall Service Initiative | Sept. 9 to Oct. 14, 2023
Join us for the fifth anniversary of Good Turn for Nature! The goal is to engage Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturers directly in acts of conservation. Scouts participate in outdoor activities at multiple sites across central Indiana, learning about the importance of caring for nature while having fun and giving back to their communities.
The GTN team will match units with host organizations, and together they will plan the logistics of the project.
Make your unit’s commitment today by filling out this online form.
For questions, please contact Sophie Swift at the council office by calling 317-813-7080.
Adopt-a-School Program | August 2023
Community service is one of the primary pillars of Scouting. As the world changes, community service is becoming more critical than ever. As part of the Boy Scouts of America and Adopt-a-School program, we’re seeking to support Central Indiana communities by having Scouting units partner with their local schools throughout Indiana. The program allows Scouts to proactively build relationships with local communities.
Looking for a Service Project?
Camp Kikthawenund has several projects year-round. Check out the list of projects and the time of year they are available. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Todd VanHoover by email or 765-552-7400.
Upcoming Community Activities
The Crossroads of America Council partners with several community organizations throughout the year to offer Scout units and families discounted and/or “behind the scenes” experiences at attractions and events. Most of these events are NOT official BSA or Council events, therefore BSA staff are not required to be present. The Community Partner is responsible for all event communication to participants and the activities. Many of these events are also open to the public.
Families are welcome to attend events without their Scouting unit.
Ticket order deadlines vary by event and registration information will be made available closer to each event date. Please contact Crossroads of America Council by email or by phone at (317) 813-7125 for more information.
Scout Night with the Indy Eleven
Saturday, May 20
Come cheer on the Indy Eleven as they take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, May 20! As a member of the BSA, you and your family are invited to participate in a special group night with the Indy Eleven.
Local Community Service Organizations
A number of great civic organizations in Indiana could use the help of some great Scouts looking for service hours and projects. Please check out the organizations below to see if there is one you would like to support.
Pack Away Hunger
Pack Away Hunger is a nonprofit organization dedicated to greatly improving the lives of children and others who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The lack of proper nutrition creates serious health and developmental consequences for individuals and has far-reaching implications for communities. In the United States, 15.8 million children do not have regular access to healthy meals. In developing countries, one out of six children – roughly 100 million total – is underweight, the result of acute or chronic malnutrition.
If your Scouts would like to sponsor an event, please visit our website.
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc.
Gleaners was founded in 1980 and is part of the Feeding America network of food banks. Since its inception, Gleaners has distributed over 360 million pounds of food and critical grocery products to nearly 600 hunger relief agencies and partners serving Hoosiers in need. In addition to food distribution to agencies, Gleaners serves vulnerable populations through specialty programs such as the BackSacks, Weekend Food for Kids, School-Based Pantry, Mobile Pantry, Summer Meals for Kids and Senior Hunger Initiative programs.
To help with Gleaners Food & Fund drive, view our toolkit and check out our list of most needed items.
SAWS: Servants At Work, Inc.
SAWs® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that builds wheelchair ramps to provide individuals with disabilities and conditions of aging with the freedom to remain in their homes and reconnect with their communities. SAWs also provides meaningful experiences for volunteers that can be life changing for them as well as for the ramp recipient and their caregivers. Overcoming their activity impediments allows people to “age in place” and remain in their homes.
SAWs is a faith-based, ecumenical ministry that welcomes all who want to share in our mission. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and every vocation imaginable. Men and women work to provide freedom to anyone who would otherwise be trapped by everyday obstacles and financial circumstances. Building a SAWs® ramp begins well before a single board is cut. There are many ways to volunteer, some of which can be done from the comfort of your home. Help is needed for activities such as administration, client interviews, site surveys, grant writing and fundraising.
If you would like to get involved or you just like to build stuff, register and we will surely contact you. If your group or organization would like to sponsor a service project both financially as well as with volunteers, please contact us at gro.spmarswas@ofni or 317-844-7664. We will help you arrange an event.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
Each year, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful supports an average of 500 community improvement projects with more than 30,000 volunteers. For the past three decades, we’ve partnered with neighborhoods, the public sector and Indianapolis community groups and businesses to achieve our vision for a beautiful city.
If Scouts are interested in getting involved, please check out some of our programs on our website.
Hoosier Hikers Council
Since 1995, the Hoosier Hikers Council has been building, repairing and maintaining hiking and running trails in Indiana. We provide maps and information for hikers, backpackers and runners to assist in their use and enjoyment of Indiana trails. The work of our organization is sustained by supporters and volunteers who are motivated by the opportunity to give back to the trails they love to hike or run.
Please visit our website if your Scouts would like to commit some service hours to trail work and improving the hiking trails around Indiana.
NeighborLink Indianapolis
NeighborLink Indianapolis is a private nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs and related services to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities within Marion County, Indiana. We have one mission – to allow seniors in need to stay in their own homes safely and with dignity.
Please visit our website if your Scouts would like to help through their time or talent.
Merit Badge and Advancement Activities
Throughout the year, the Council will provide several Merit Badge and rank advancement opportunities for Scouts BSA youth and Cub Scouts. Many of these are offered in conjunction with community partners such as the Indiana State Museum and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.