Area Scouts Celebrate Historic Event, "Shining Light" - July 28, 2010
Submitted by Brooke Stafford

NACOGDOCHES Friday, July 30, 2010 - As part of the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th Anniversary, East Texas area Scouts are inviting local residents to join in a celebration SFA University’s Student Center Theater to participate in a historic broadcast of the Centennial Celebration Show from the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, an event at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, that attracts more than 40,000 Scouts and Scouting volunteers from across the country.

The event marks the first time in BSA history that the entire Scouting community—past, present, and future—will have the opportunity to join together to experience an inspirational and interactive jamboree arena show, which will be broadcast via satellite to select locations nationwide.

The Nacogdoches “Shining Light” event will take place on Saturday, July 31, 2010, SFA’s Student Center Theater from 5 pm – 9:30 pm and will include the inspirational ‘Shining Light” nationwide broadcast at 7 p.m. CST. The Nacogdoches event will shine a light on Scouting with the help of the best Centennial Show ever, snacks and refreshments, and live entertainers.

“A Shining Light Across America is truly a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Scouting friends and family, and the entire East Texas community, to come together in celebration of Scouting, its rich heritage, exciting present, and bright future,” said Mike Ballew, Scout Executive. “We’re thrilled to bring this incredible experience to both Nacogdoches and Tyler that promises not only to build pride in our current membership, but also to spark fond memories in former Scouts and alumni, and intrigue those who may be interested in learning more about our organization.”

Hundreds of “Shining Light” events will take place across the country in venues large and small on July 31 as part of the organization’s historic nationwide broadcast of the Centennial Celebration Show, which will be performed live in front of an estimated 60,000 Scouts, Scouters, and visitors at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia.

“A Shining Light Across America” is one of eight major engagement programs the Boy Scouts of America is undertaking as part of its 100th Anniversary Celebration. For a century, the organization has brought families and communities together to prepare America’s youth to live, work, and play with character and integrity. The unique 100-year activities, activated at the local level, aim to drive engagement, recruit new members and volunteers, and enhance the awareness of the value of Scouting in an inspiring, purpose-driven celebration.

All members of the community are invited to attend this once in a lifetime event. For more information on attending the Shining Light event in Tyler or Nacogdoches on July 31st call the East Texas Area Council at 903.597.7201.

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 20, 1.1 million volunteers, and nearly 300 local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

More information about 100 Years of Scouting can be found at www.scouting.org/100years.