BSA at a Glance
The Great Rivers Council, BSA, is one of 275 councils in America that exist to help mold young people into leaders and responsible citizens with high moral and ethical standards. For children the lure of Scouting is the fun of adventure, outdoor activities, and doing exciting things with kids their own age. Religious institutions, parent groups, fraternal organizations, service clubs and businesses join with us to make Scouting programs available.
The Great Rivers Council, BSA is governed by the council executive board. The council executive board is headed by the council president and is made up of annually elected local community leaders. The board establishes the council program and carries out the resolutions, policies, and activities of the council. Board members serve without pay and some are volunteer Scouters working at the unit level.
The Scout executive manages council operations—including finance, property management, advancement and awards, registrations, and Scout Shop sales—with a staff of professionals. Volunteer commissioners lead the unit service functions of the council, help maintain the standards of the BSA, and assures a healthy unit program. Our staff is based in communities they serve. The best way to contact them is on their cell phone or via email. If you are not in the Columbia area please use our toll free number, 1-800-SCOUTLAW [1-800-726-8852], to contact us. The Scout office fax number is 573-874-6846.
Service Center
The Richard Knipp Service Center features a full service Scout Shop offering uniforms, badges, equipment and supplies, and is located at 1203 Fay St., Columbia MO 65201. This is also where the administrative work supporting our volunteers and youth members takes place.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Great Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime and to achieve their full potential by teaching them life skills and instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Vision Statement
The Great Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America will be a nationally recognized Quality Council and regarded as one of the premier Boy Scout Councils in the Midwest and be considered a leading youth service agency in central and northeast Missouri.
Aims, Methods, Ideals
Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Boy Scout Motto
Be Prepared!
Boy Scout Slogan
Do a Good Turn Daily!
The Dollars and Cents of Scouting
As a nonprofit organization, the Boy Scouts of America relies on the generosity of charitable donations to support its ongoing operations. Over 60% of our budget comes from individuals/businesses/organizations. Each gift, regardless of size, provides invaluable funding for council programs that benefit Scouts here in central and northeast Missouri.
The Great Rivers Council is a proud partner, receiving allocations from United Way (Central Missouri, Mark Twain Area, Pettis County, Audrain County, Randolph County, Adair County, Saline County).
The $1.5 million in revenue needed to deliver Scouting to your son and all other Scouts in our 33 county region.
Guide Star Non-Profit Report
GuideStar
The Great Rivers Council has reached the GuideStar Exchange Gold participation level as a demonstration level of its commitment to transparency. A full report can be found on the GuideStar website.
