ESCANABA — The Hiawathaland District of the Boy Scouts of America is serving four percent more youth in Cub Scouts than last year. Over 850 youth are served in the Cub Scouting program in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and one out of ten new elementary-aged kids joining scouting is a girl.

Scouting started welcoming both young men and women into its Venturing and Exploring high school aged programs in 1971. This welcoming tradition continued in the spring of 2018 with Cub Scout Packs welcoming the whole family. In February 2019, the Boy Scouts of America’s showcase program “Boy Scouts” will change its name to “Scouts BSA” and will welcome girls into single-gender troops. Young women may earn the rank of Eagle Scout and join the full tradition of adventure in the Boy Scouts of America. The scouts are forming troops for middle and high school-aged young women today.

Cub Scout Packs around the Upper Peninsula are continuing to welcome young people and their whole family into their exciting character building and outdoor programs.

The Hiawathaland District kicked off its annual popcorn sale in September. All proceeds raised through the fundraiser will help to cover the costs associated with running camps, holding community service projects, and providing leadership training for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts. In 2017, 300,000 dollars in popcorn was sold in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with more than 70 percent of sales benefiting local Scouting programs.

For more information on the popcorn sale and local scouting, visit www.BayLakesBSA.org, email jon.martin@scouting.org, or call 920-638-3432.