Jonesboro, Arkansas – A merger between two councils in Arkansas has been announced by the Boy Scouts of America.
The Quapaw Area and Westark Area Councils will unite to establish the Natural State Council, per a press statement.
Shanna Richardson, the CEO of the Natural State Council, made the merger announcement in Little Rock on Tuesday.
According to Richardson, the choice is a significant turning point in the attempts to expand the Boy Scouts of America’s influence and reach.
“The Quapaw Area Council and the Westark Area Council, both distinguished for their longstanding commitment to character development and leadership training, share a mutual vision of securing a robust and sustainable Scouting legacy for the region. It is the belief of both Council Executive Boards that Scouting in Arkansas will be stronger, will be more vibrant, and will simply be, ‘Better Together,’” Richardson said.
More than 6,200 adolescents across 56 counties in the state would be impacted by the merger, according to the news release.
Additionally, BSA will be able to reduce expenses by pooling programs, buildings, resources, and experience.
Through the Walton Family Foundation’s $500,000 matching grant opportunity, the Natural State Council will get additional money.