10,425 New Youth Join Scouting In Michigan

DETROIT--(Business Wire)--
Ten Michigan Boy Scouts of America councils welcomed 10,425 new
youth into the Scouting family from September 1 to October 15, 2008
through a first time collaborative effort known as Join Scouting in
Michigan. Because of this initiative, the state of Michigan has shown
significant growth.

"We're happy to report that 10,425 youth joined the Michigan
Scouting family during our fall initiative," said Detroit Area Council
CEO Rick Williamson. "This is very good news and an indication of a
growing trend among families and communities that are recognizing the
unique contributions of the Boy Scouts of America. The new Scouts will
be offered a one-of a-kind experience and environment to develop their
character, citizenship and physical fitness."

In January 2008, ten Michigan Boy Scout councils joined together
to form the collaborative membership effort known as Join Scouting in
Michigan. Monthly meetings were held throughout the state to devise a
cohesive and family-friendly plan to ignite the spirit of Scouting in
the state of Michigan. The plan included the creation of an exciting
new Web site (joinscoutingmichigan.org), blanketing the state with
membership flyers, youth rallies and Screaming Monkeys for the youth.

"I think you would be hard-pressed to find an organization that
has guided and influenced positively the youth of our country more
than the Boy Scouts of America," said Gerald R. Ford Council CEO Mike
Sulgrove. "This concerted statewide effort will help to further the
fulfillment of the Boy Scouts of America's mission of preparing young
people to make better choices over their lifetimes by sharing the
ideas found in the Scout Oath and Law."

The state of Michigan initiative is served by ten local councils:
Great Sauk Trail (Ann Arbor), Lake Huron (Auburn), Detroit Area
(Detroit), Tall Pines (Flint), Gerald R. Ford (Grand Rapids),
Southwest Michigan (Kalamazoo), Chief Okemos (Lansing), Clinton Valley
(Pontiac), Blue Water (Huron) and Scenic Trails (Traverse City). For
more information on Michigan Scouting, please visit
www.joinscoutingmichigan.org.

Detroit Area Council, Boy Scouts of America
Camille Travis, 313-361-1264
camille.travis@scouting.org

Copyright Business Wire 2008