Grand Opening of Leonard and Jane Schwab Center for Scouting

New Service Center at Camp Potomac OLDTOWN, Md. — September 19, 2026 — Scouting America, Laurel Highlands Council celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Leonard and Jane Schwab Center for Scouting at Camp Potomac on Saturday, September 19. The new center will serve Scouts, Scouters and families in the Potomac District and…

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Heritage Reservation Welcomes Troops for Inclusive Summer Camp Experience

Scouts from Maryland and West Virginia Experience Merit Badges, Outdoor Adventure, Fellowship, and the Spirit of Scouting [FARMINGTON, PA] — Heritage Reservation was proud to welcome Troop 89, a Special Needs Troop from Maryland, and Troop 1870, chartered out of the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney, WV, for a week…

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Support Adventure, Leadership, and Learning Through the Laurel Highlands Popcorn Fundraiser 

Key Takeaways The annual Scouting America popcorn fundraiser helps Scouts pay for camp, activities, uniforms, supplies, and adventures. More than 70% of popcorn sales support local Scouting programs and youth opportunities. The Laurel Highlands Council’s Boy Scout fundraising popcorn program helps Scouts build confidence, communication skills, responsibility, and goal-setting habits. Supporters can buy popcorn from…

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Flags United Ceremony at Flag Plaza Scout Center to Bring Together Statewide and National Flag Initiatives Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary

On July 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., Flag Plaza Scout Center will serve as the site of Flags United, a landmark patriotic ceremony bringing together two major flag initiatives: Flags Across Pennsylvania and the Flag Sojourn, led by the National Flag Foundation. This historic event represents the convergence of statewide and national efforts honoring the…

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Scouts Across Pennsylvania Near Completion of “Flags Across Pennsylvania” Initiative Ahead of Flag Day

From February 8 through June 14, 2025, Scouts across the Commonwealth have been participating in a historic statewide initiative known as Flags Across Pennsylvania, a collaborative effort led in partnership with the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association to honor the American flag, civic responsibility, and community service. The initiative features three American flags — plus one Scouting…

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The Value of Range and Target Activities in Scouting America

Range and target activities are a cornerstone of outdoor programming in Scouting America, and they involve far more than teaching kids to shoot. At their core, these programs emphasize safety, responsibility, and personal growth through structured, supervised experiences. The purpose of these activities is to teach the “safe, responsible, and intelligent handling” of equipment such…

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Local Youth Honored with Heroism Award for Saving Mother During Driving Emergency

Lyla Broaded Headshot

[Pittsburgh, PA] — Laurel Highlands Council, Scouting America is proud to recognize Lyla Broaded with the prestigious Heroism Award for her extraordinary courage, quick thinking, and leadership during a life-threatening emergency while traveling in Carnegie. While traveling to a dentist appointment, Lyla’s mother, Tanya, began experiencing a severe migraine and asked Lyla to retrieve her…

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How the Scouting for Food Campaign Helps Fight Hunger in Communities Across America

Scouts and their parents organizing local Scouting for Food Collections

Food insecurity and hunger in America remain persistent challenges. While many Americans assume hunger is primarily a problem in developing countries, millions of families across the wealthiest nation in the world struggle to consistently access enough nutritious food. What Is Food Insecurity? Food security means that all members of a household have consistent access to…

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How Scouts BSA Supports Teen Mental Health and Emotional Resilience

During Mental Health Awareness Month in May and throughout the year, it’s important for parents to be mindful about supporting their children’s mental health and overall psychological development. Among the best ways to do this is to enroll kids and teens in extracurricular programs that intentionally foster emotional strength and personal growth.  As children enter…

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