Designs of patch sought for new Western New York Scouting Council

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 December 2022 at 1:29 pm

Iroquois Trail and Greater Niagara Frontier joining for new council

A soon-to-be merged Boy Scout council is seeking designs for the shoulder patch for the new organization.

The Iroquois Trail and Greater Niagara Frontier will be merging into the Western New York Scouting Council.

The new council will serve the four rural GLOW counties, plus Niagara and Erie counties.

The contest for a design for the new patch is open to youth and adults, with the deadline to submit designs by 5 p.m. on Jan. 12. Designs should be either emailed to Jessica.bonham@scouting.org, sent by text at 585-993-5359, or dropped off at the service centers for the Iroquois Trail Council or Greater Niagara Frontier. Click here for more information.

The winner will receive a Buffalo Bills tin of popcorn.

The Iroquois Trail has seen youth membership cut in half since Covid-19 caused troops and packs to stop meeting in person for several months beginning in March 2020.

“All reasonable indications are that it will take several years to regain those youth members,” Council leaders stated in a letter in early November. “This challenge, combined with a dramatic reduction in other funding sources, has put the Iroquois Trail Council on a course that is not sustainable over the long term.”

A merger will result in improved program opportunities for members, better support for volunteer leaders, a larger membership base to support more events and activities, and greater financial stability, the leaders said.