Most of us are grateful for the opportunity to live and work in South Mississippi.

There are many positive things that impact the quality of life in this region – varied educational opportunities, exemplary healthcare organizations, exciting recreation and tourism options, commitment to economic development, and just plain good solid folks!  

As we inventory the positives in our community, another institution stands out for its more than a century of character-building and commitment to our youth – the Boy Scouts of America.  

The Pine Burr Area Council of the BSA, which includes 17 counties in south Mississippi, including Pearl River County, is blessed to have had the support and encouragement of so many individuals and organizations over many decades.  

We take this opportunity to say “THANK YOU” to so many of you for your sustained demonstration of dedication, loyalty, and steadfastness to the boys of South Mississippi.

Scouting has quite an impressive record of making a difference in our communities.  

Scouting programs allow boys to build self-confidence, try new things, and to provide many different types of services to others.  

Scouts can be seen in so many roles, ranging from helping after a disaster, assisting senior citizens, and performing hundreds of community service projects.  

Each of these experiences strengthens the capacity of boys to become mature, responsible adults contributing to the greater good.

Over the years, studies have shown that men who were Scouts five years or more as boys are more likely than men with no Scouting experiences to graduate from high school and college, earn higher annual incomes ($80,000 vs. $61,000), and believe helping others should come before one’s own self-interest (92% vs. 83%).  

From these statistics and others, it is evident that Scouting is a genuine ‘investment’ in our communities.  Scouting does make a difference!

As we listen to daily news reports and ponder the future of this area, we gain some comfort knowing that Scouting is working 24/7 to build strong young men capable of making a very positive difference in our own communities.  

Partnering with individuals, churches, schools and other organizations has ensured the continuity of strong and rich Scouting experiences for the youth in the South Mississippi.  

For that staunch commitment, the Pine Burr Area Council extends a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for investing in and advancing the cause of Scouting in our 17 counties.

As we move boldly into the next century of Scouting, there are thousands of boys in the Pine Belt counting on us to deliver rich and positive experiences needed to build strong men with character.  

Again, we thank you, our partners, for helping us brighten the paths of so many boys in our region. 

The best is yet to come!

By:

J. Houston Costolo

Billy W. Walley

Executive Board Members

Pine Burr Area Council 

Boy Scouts of America