Click here for our home page

Friends Of Scouting

Annually the Northwest Suburban Council Executive Board reviews the council's financial condition and establishes the operating and financial plans for the coming year. The financial plan includes funding from the United Way, fees, enterprise revenue and community support. The community support program called "Friends of Scouting" asks Scouting parents and community members to financially support the council. The FOS program funds approximately 24% of the annual operation funds required to continue serving the youth and their leaders from the 33 communities of the Northwest Suburban Council.

The annual FOS program includes presenting the programs and successes of the Scouting program in our area to unit members and their families. At these times each family is provided the opportunity to renew their personal family commitment to Scouting based on their financial means. These units schedule their FOS presentation beginning in September based on their unit meeting schedule. District Executives are available to work with units in setting the date for the FOS presentation.



The FOS program also extends into the business community and those who support but currently may not active in Scouting. This Community FOS campaign conducted in each district includes personal contacts and events. Among the events are the FOS Breakfast held in February, the golf outing held during June, Sporting Clays held in June, Recognition Banquets and Receptions held in the winter and spring and sporting events like the Chicago Wolves and Schaumburg Flyers.

The funds raised through the Family and Community FOS campaigns help support the operations of the Northwest Suburban Council. These activities include:

  • Maintaining and operating Camp Napowan in Wild Rose, Wisconsin and Camp Lakota in Woodstock, Illinois.
  • Underwriting and organizing Cub Scout Day Camp and Webelos Resident Camp, Scout District camporees, and high adventure expeditions.
  • Providing BSA registration services through the Council Service Center for units, youth and adults, maintain training and advancement records for youth and adults.
  • Operating, in cooperation with the National Supply Group, the Scout Shop with uniforms, advancement and recognition patches, and program materials for youth and leaders.
  • Scheduling and coordinating basic and advanced adult leader training programs for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Learning for Life and Explorer units.
  • Providing trained full-time professional staff to assure continued successful operation of the Scouting program for 16,000 youth in our area.
  • Providing group accident insurance and certificates of insurance to units
  • Arranging and coordinating contingents to High Adventure Bases and National Jamborees.

Pledge Today!

Why not be a Friend of Scouting and make a pledge today? It's as easy as following this link to the FOS Pledge Form