Doug Stone, Scout Executive, Indian Waters Council, Boy Scouts of America
February 5, 2010
MidlandsBiz:
Where were you born and raised and how did you get to Columbia, South Carolina?
Doug Stone:
I was born in Syracuse, New York, but grew up in Connecticut. My twin brother and I were the youngest of 5 boys all of whom were involved in scouting. Four of us, including me, achieved the level of Eagle Scout. Having older brothers meant I would take part in Boy Scout Family Camp at a very early age. I was interested in sports, but I always made it a priority to continue on with scouting.
I attended St. Lawrence Univeristy in upstate New York where I majored in history. I taught grade 7 and 8 social studies at a prep school in Louisiana for a couple of years before returning to Connecticut to work for the Boy Scouts of America. It’s not a 9 to 5 job by any stretch of the imagination, but you get to make a difference in the lives of young people, and it has been very rewarding. I became Scout Executive here at Indian Waters Council just over a year ago.
Indian Waters council is one of 306 Boy Scout councils around the United States. Each is a separate chapter or franchise of the Boy Scouts of America. We are a $2M a year operation.
MidlandsBiz:
Describe the scouting experience.
Doug Stone:
Scouting is an experience that engages people and institutions to serve the needs of young people. We are not a place where you can drop your children off and go off and do your own thing. We are dependent on our volunteers and local organizations such as churches and schools to deliver our product.
MidlandsBiz:
What does achieving the rank of Eagle Scout mean on a young man’s resume?
Doug Stone:
Only 4% of the boys who start into scouting achieve the rank of Eagle. In this era of instant gratification, it is even more impressive when a young man earns his Eagle; it involves a major time commitment. The designation over the years has evolved into something that is highly regarded by employers, the military academies, and leaders of all institutions. The Eagle Scout has come to represent a person of character.
