Friends of Scouting
You can now give your support of Scouting through the new Scouting Gives platform! Simply click the button above to be redirected to the Central Minnesota Council's Friends of Scouting Campaign site.
Thank you for making the Scouting program possible for thousands of youth in Central Minnesota!
Parker Fund
Scouting's best memories happen at camp! Thousands of youth and families each year benefit from the outdoor experiences that Parker Scout Camp provides.
You can help invest in Parker Scout Camp by donating to the Parker Fund held at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation.
Giving is easy! Simply click the button below to go to communitygiving.org's website. Make sure Parker Fund is selected. Give your gift by selecting an amount.
Click the "Customize Your Brick" below to submit your brick inscription.
Your gift will help provide facility improvements, new program enhancements and equipment!
Council Wish List
The Central Minnesota Council is in need of several items for Parker Scout Camp and for program support. If you are able to donate one of these items or know of a business that can, please let us know! Contact Paul Ravenberg at 320-251-3930.
8 Foot Folding Tables (8)
Round Folding Tables (6)
Stacking Chairs (100)
Exterior Stain for Parker Scout Camp
Commercial Convection Oven - Thank You SCR!
Commercial Stand Mixer
Youth Paddle Boards (3)
Welding Curtains (6x6' - 550 degree rated)
Welding Floor Signs
Wireless Mic System for Office Community Room
AED's for Parker (2)
Shovels (8)
Rakes (8)
Two Wheel Garden Carts (5)
Compact Tractor with Snow Blower & Bucket
Golf Cart
James E West Fellowship
Orphaned at age six and afflicted with tuberculosis, James E. West never had much of a childhood. West had to fight for permission to attend school outside of his orphanage—and only if he did his extensive orphanage chores before and after school. Nonetheless, he finished high school in two years, graduating with honors in 1895. By 1901, he’d worked his way through law school and was practicing law in Washington, D.C.
Given those circumstances, it was not surprising West gravitated toward children’s issues. When a young boy stole his car, he declined to press charges, offering instead to represent the boy in court (he got him off on a technicality). This incident led West to lobby successfully for the creation of a juvenile court. He also worked for the Washington Playground Association and the YMCA and prompted President Theodore Roosevelt to convene a White House Conference on Dependent Children in 1909. Given his background, West became a natural choice to serve as the first Chief Scout Executive. He agreed to take the job for up to six months and stayed on for 32 years.
To Become a James E West Fellow
A gift to a local council, designated by the donor to the council endowment fund, qualifies for membership as a James E. West fellow. The gift must be in addition to— and not replace or diminish—the donor’s annual Friends of Scouting support. A minimum gift of $1000 in cash or marketable securities qualifies for the Bronze level membership. Donors may make cumulative gifts to reach Silver, Gold, and Diamond member levels. For example, 5 years of giving at the Bronze level would qualify for Silver level membership. Many individuals and corporations make these gifts either on behalf of someone else—such as in honor of an Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver recipient, a retirement, a special accomplishment, or anniversary—or in memory of a special individual.
