Community Service
Helping others is one of the fundamental values of Scouting and allows Scouts to see the value to contributing to their community. Scouts and their Units are encouraged to regularly participate in community service activities, including those offered by the Council, district, or unit.
Upcoming Community Activities
The Crossroads of America Council partners with several community organizations throughout the year to offer Scout units and families discounted and/or “behind the scenes” experiences at attractions and events. Most of these events are NOT official BSA or Council events, therefore BSA staff are not required to be present. The Community Partner is responsible for all event communication to participants and the activities. Many of these events are also open to the public.
Families are welcome to attend events without their Scouting unit.
Ticket order deadlines vary by event and registration information will be made available closer to each event date. Please contact Crossroads of America Council by email or by phone at (317) 813-7125 for more information.
Scout Fun Nights
We collaborate with community partners every season to provide ticket discounts and exclusive Scout Night opportunities. These events include unique activities, special recognition, and memorable experiences tailored for scouts.
A portion of each ticket purchased throughout the entire season will be donated to the Crossroads of America Council, Scouting America!
Council-Sponsored Community Service Events
The Council sponsors various community service activities annually by partnering with local organizations. All Units are encouraged to participate in these events. In addition to performing a good deed, hours served count toward your Unit service hours and can be entered using our buttons.
Good Turn for Nature
For questions, please contact Sophie Swift at the council office by calling 317-813-7080.
Scouting For Food
Every spring, the Scouting community from Crossroads of America Council mobilizes across central Indiana to gather food for their neighbors in need. Your donations of non-perishable non-expired foods will support local pantries when they need it most.
Suggested donation items:
- Canned Meats
- Canned Fish
- Canned or Dried Fruit
- Canned Vegetables
- Baby Formula
- Baby Cereal
- Pasta or Rice Products
- Spices/Herbs
- Coffee/Tea
- Milk (powdered/shelf-stable)
- Cooking Oils
- Nut/Sunflower Butter
- Boxed Mixes
- Soups (canned or dry)
- Paper Products
- Personal Hygiene Products
Looking for a Service Project?
Camp Kikthawenund has several projects year-round. Check out the list of projects and the time of year they are available. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Todd VanHoover by email or 765-552-7400.
Local Community Service Organizations
A number of great civic organizations in Indiana could use the help of some great Scouts looking for service hours and projects. Please check out the organizations below to see if there is one you would like to support.
Pack Away Hunger
Pack Away Hunger is a nonprofit organization dedicated to greatly improving the lives of children and others who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The lack of proper nutrition creates serious health and developmental consequences for individuals and has far-reaching implications for communities. In the United States, 15.8 million children do not have regular access to healthy meals. In developing countries, one out of six children – roughly 100 million total – is underweight, the result of acute or chronic malnutrition.
If your Scouts would like to sponsor an event, please visit our website.
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc.
Gleaners was founded in 1980 and is part of the Feeding America network of food banks. Since its inception, Gleaners has distributed over 360 million pounds of food and critical grocery products to nearly 600 hunger relief agencies and partners serving Hoosiers in need. In addition to food distribution to agencies, Gleaners serves vulnerable populations through specialty programs such as the BackSacks, Weekend Food for Kids, School-Based Pantry, Mobile Pantry, Summer Meals for Kids and Senior Hunger Initiative programs.
To help with Gleaners Food & Fund drive, view our toolkit and check out our list of most needed items.
SAWS: Servants At Work, Inc.
SAWs® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that builds wheelchair ramps to provide individuals with disabilities and conditions of aging with the freedom to remain in their homes and reconnect with their communities. SAWs also provides meaningful experiences for volunteers that can be life changing for them as well as for the ramp recipient and their caregivers. Overcoming their activity impediments allows people to “age in place” and remain in their homes.
SAWs is a faith-based, ecumenical ministry that welcomes all who want to share in our mission. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and every vocation imaginable. Men and women work to provide freedom to anyone who would otherwise be trapped by everyday obstacles and financial circumstances. Building a SAWs® ramp begins well before a single board is cut. There are many ways to volunteer, some of which can be done from the comfort of your home. Help is needed for activities such as administration, client interviews, site surveys, grant writing and fundraising.
If you would like to get involved or you just like to build stuff, register and we will surely contact you. If your group or organization would like to sponsor a service project both financially as well as with volunteers, please contact us at [email protected] or 317-844-7664. We will help you arrange an event.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
Each year, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful supports an average of 500 community improvement projects with more than 30,000 volunteers. For the past three decades, we’ve partnered with neighborhoods, the public sector and Indianapolis community groups and businesses to achieve our vision for a beautiful city.
If Scouts are interested in getting involved, please check out some of our programs on our website.
Hoosier Hikers Council
Since 1995, the Hoosier Hikers Council has been building, repairing and maintaining hiking and running trails in Indiana. We provide maps and information for hikers, backpackers and runners to assist in their use and enjoyment of Indiana trails. The work of our organization is sustained by supporters and volunteers who are motivated by the opportunity to give back to the trails they love to hike or run.
Please visit our website if your Scouts would like to commit some service hours to trail work and improving the hiking trails around Indiana.
NeighborLink Indianapolis
NeighborLink Indianapolis is a private nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs and related services to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities within Marion County, Indiana. We have one mission – to allow seniors in need to stay in their own homes safely and with dignity.
Please visit our website if your Scouts would like to help through their time or talent.
Merit Badge and Advancement Activities
Throughout the year, the Council will provide several Merit Badge and rank advancement opportunities for Scouts BSA youth and Cub Scouts. Many of these are offered in conjunction with community partners such as the Indiana State Museum and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.