Search
A man, his dog and several young persons looking at an empty horse corral

Support Scoutreach

Scoutreach is the outreach division of GGAC – the Golden Gate Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. We recognize that participating in traditional Scouting units is not financially feasible for all families nor are traditional units geographically accessible to all families. Additionally, without a history of Scouting in the area there is no familiarity with our mission across families or volunteers.

We want to increase accessibility to Scouting by addressing these barriers. 

quote marks

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Our Aims

Character Development, Leadership Development,  Citizenship in the Community, Physical and Mental Fitness.

Our Methods

Living the Ideals (Oath/Law), Belonging to a Den, Advancement and Recognition, Family Involvement, Activities, Serving the Neighborhood, Uniform

How is Scoutreach different than Traditional Scouting? 
In Scoutreach we partner with schools and after-school programs in low-income, underserved areas to bring weekly Den Meetings to 2nd through 5th graders at their school. And, it’s free-to-join.  Being school-based removes the barriers of transportation, availability of an adult to take the Scout back and forth, and cost. Removing these common obstacles in low income areas  creates opportunities for all youth to experience Scouting.

What is the goal of Scoutreach?   
We would love to see our Scouts join traditional units so they can get full Cub Scout program experience beyond the school site. We would also like to see our 5th Graders meet local units and transition into ScoutsBSA!

Who is Scoutreach?
Scoutreach is currently a team of three: Alyssa Padia, John Durden, and Ronald Rather.  We are energetic, passionate Scout Leaders who love working with youth.  We are open to volunteers and partnering with local units to provide an even better program for our members. 

If you are interested, please email us at Scoutreach 

IMPACT . . .

16 sites served . . . More than 520 youth enrolled 

  • In the past year we have grown over 500% from 80 youth.
  • 38% of our scouts are girls compared to 19.7% nationally (AP News, 2019)
  • 90% of participants earned Bobcat and Rank in the past year.
  • 10 Youth went to Day Camp for the first time.
  • 4 Scouts went to Summer Camp for the first time 
  • 3 rode horses for the first time and
  • 2 learned to swim.

Please support our Amazing Program

Youth planting flowers ina raised planting bed

Our Schools

Oakland 

* Highland Community School – Afterschool Program (EBAC) 
* Burckhalter Elementary School 
* Achieve Academy – Afterschool Program (EBAC) 
* MLK Elementary School – Afterschool Program (BACR) 
* Emerson Elementary School – Afterschool Program (BACR) 
* Lockwood Steam Academy (Futures Elementary School) – Afterschool Program (BACR) 
* East Oakland Pride Elementary – Afterschool Program (Higher Ground) 
* Korematsu Elementary School – Afterschool Program (BACR) 
* Esperanza Elementary School – Afterschool Program (BACR) 

San Leandro 
* Washington Elementary School 
* Camp Wilmont Sweeney – Alameda County Juvenile Probation Program 

San Francisco
* Bret Harte Elementary School – Afterschool Program (BACR) 

Concord 
* Meadow Homes Elementary School 

Richmond 
* Richmond Police Activities League *Boy Troop *Female Troop *Cub Pack 

Martinez
* Martinez Boys and Girls Club *Boy Troop *Female Troop *Cub Pack 

logo for ScoutReach program

How to verify an out of Council Merit Badge Counselor.

First, try to connect the Scout and counselor in Scoutbook. If that is successful, the counselor is registered and qualified. If unsuccessful, go to the counselor’s home council and search for their Advancement Administrators. Most will have an email address for either the Council Advancement Committee or Professional Advisor. Send an email asking if the counselor has been registered and qualified for the merit badge(s) in question and the status of their Youth Protection Training. Ask California councils if the counselor has completed AB506 training and LiveScan. The unit leader’s “blue card” signature verifies their counselor credentials verification.

Venturing

Sea Scouts

Exploring

International

Highlander

Shooting Sport

STEM

Scouting for Food

Order of the Arrow