As I begin my third term as President of the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared and look ahead to what’s next. These past two years have been exciting and eventful—filled with challenges, growth, and meaningful impact across the nine counties we serve.

I’m deeply grateful to our Board for their continued confidence in me, and equally thankful to our professional staff and dedicated volunteers. You are the heart of this Council, and your efforts are what keep Scouting strong in our communities.

As a product of this program myself, I share your passion. That’s why I want to take a few moments to clearly lay out where we’re heading—and how we’ll get there together.

The Challenge Ahead

Scouting is in daily competition. We’re competing for young people’s time and attention. We’re competing for financial resources. And we’re competing for relevance in a crowded world of youth programs and extracurricular activities.

The reality is, many outside our immediate circle don’t realize Scouting is still active. We need to change that perception by boldly telling our story—at events, in our communities, and through every interaction we have.

Our Vision

Inspired by the principles found in The Energy Bus, I’m calling on all of us to “get on the bus” and help lead this Council into a new era of growth, impact, and excellence.

Our vision is clear:
To become the leading Council in the country—not just one of the best. We want to be the benchmark that others look to, and we believe Tampa Bay deserves nothing less.

Our Commitments to You

As your President, I am publicly committing our Council to the following goals for the year ahead:

• Serve more than 11,000 youth

• Exceed our financial goals and fundraising commitments

• Establish 34 new units, including 21 within our Scoutreach program

• Deliver top-tier, high-quality programs for every Scout

• Advance our brand through every Council and community event

• Deepen engagement with the corporate and public sectors

• Launch major improvements to our camp properties

Investing in Our Camps

We are laying a strong foundation for the future by investing in our facilities. In 2025, we will:

• Begin construction on new bathhouses at Camp Soule

• Complete the waterfront at Camp Soule by summer

• Begin construction of a new maintenance building at Camp Brorein

• Break ground on a new dining hall at Camp Brorein in the fall

• Begin building a welcome pavilion at Brorein this summer

These projects, and others led by Mark Rose and the Properties Committee, reflect our commitment to delivering excellent outdoor experiences for our Scouts.

What We Need From You

Our progress depends on the continued commitment of our volunteers and leaders. To meet our goals, I ask for your partnership in the following:

• Ensure all adult leaders are fully trained

• Offer safe, well-planned, and engaging programs

• Grow Scouting within your unit and community

• Promote and attend Council events—and bring new families with you

• Be ambassadors for Scouting in your workplace, neighborhood, and networks

Let’s Move Forward Together

We have accomplished much—but we’re just getting started. My goal is not simply to maintain momentum during this third term. It is to set the foundation so that when the next President steps in, we are already on a clear path to becoming the best Council in the country.

Let’s work together to deliver the Scouting experience every young person deserves. Let’s get on the bus and move forward—together.

Thank you for all that you do for Scouting.

Yours in Scouting,
Benson Porter
President, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council
Scouting America