When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced in the spring of 2018 that it would sever ties with the Boy Scouts of America, scouts and leaders weren’t sure what to expect. Nearly 20% of BSA members were part of the church which provided a significant part of the organization's funding.

The partnership that lasted more than a century, ended on Dec. 31, 2019. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presented its own global youth program in 2020 and fans of scouting wondered if the BSA would survive. Farmington resident Rob Gomez was one of those worried parents.

“A lot of people think scouting has kind of died,” he said, “but every time I go to meetings, the boys are there and they’re excited.”

More than two years later, BSA is still around, providing opportunities for youth to learn leadership skills, build character, achieve goals, serve the community and develop a love for the outdoors. 

When Gomez moved his family from Colorado to Farmington, he wanted his son, Anthony, to be involved with a group that shared his same ideals of faith, community and service. He registered Anthony, now 14, for BSA and over the last eight years, he feels he made the right decision. 

“It makes him think about the world, not just himself,” Gomez said. “They develop into young men as they work through the ranks. They develop and think and learn how to be leaders.”

Based in Bountiful, Troop 220 has been around since 1954, and Brett Sutherland is the troop’s ninth scoutmaster. He got involved with scouting in junior high after he realized he needed a better group of friends.

“Now, more than ever, [scouting] teaches youth how to make decisions,” Sutherland said. “I’ve been in scouting most of my life. I know it made a difference in my life.”

Through a partnership with the Bountiful Elks Lodge (544 W. 400 North), the troop meets at the Elks’ building and the scouts help the Elks with its summer program, held at Camp Wapiti, for children struggling with serious illness.

Scouts are encouraged to provide service and often hold group service projects. They organize food drives, clean the cemetery on Veterans Day and set up flags at funerals for military veterans. 

“The way they advance through the ranks, every rank has service hours required,” Sutherland said. “I’m passionate about it but you have fun at the same time. They learn good lessons about being a good citizen.”

Experiencing nature has always been a big part of scouting. Sutherland said, “If you take out the ‘outing’ there is no ‘scouting’.”

Boys learn how to deal with inclement weather, practice life-saving skills and develop stewardship for the planet. The troop is non-denominational, accepting people from all faiths. 

Sutherland said funding for scouting programs has dropped significantly and the Boy Scout Council sold off some property to keep operating. But he’s optimistic that scouting programs will remain vibrant and vital to communities.

Although no girls participate in Troop 220, troops for girls are available where they can earn Eagle Scout status and learn the principles of scouting. For more information, or to find a troop in your neighborhood, visit BeAScout.org.

“Scouting in Utah is very healthy,” Sutherland said. “All of the scouts want to be here, and the parents and volunteer leaders all want to be here.” λ