Dear Mount Baker Scouting Families,
Following the announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding between Scouting America and the Department of War, I have received additional information which helps to clarify misconceptions about what is and what is not changing in the Scouting program.
Despite Scouting America’s request for collaboration on any public statements, the video released by Secretary Hegseth was released without Scouting America’s knowledge. You may have seen stories that suggest significant programmatic changes tied to Executive Order 14173. As is often the case with breaking stories of this nature, the news is reported from multiple sources and can have inconsistencies. We recognize these inconsistencies can cause uncertainties for Scouts and their families.
Executive Order 14173 applies to the federal government, contractors, and its affiliates. As an organization with a congressional charter, Scouting America is considered an affiliate of the government.
To be clear, Mount Baker Council and Scouting America will continue to welcome and serve all youth. Our commitment to providing a safe program, full of character and skill-building remains steadfast and unchanged.
What Is Not Changing
What Is New
Mount Baker Council remains committed to serving our entire community and reflecting the values of the families we serve. Our mission has not changed. We will continue to provide welcoming, program-rich, safe, and character-building experiences for all young people, centered around the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
Our parents, leaders, chartered partners, and community have always been an integral part of our programs and that will not change. You set the tone of the program and shape the experiences of the youth in your units every day. Your leadership and the role you play in Scouting continues to be appreciated and directly impacts the more than 3,000 youth in our program.
If you have any questions about how this national update affects your Scouting unit or local Council activities, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always here to support families, volunteers, and partners every step of the way.
Stay Informed
National Scouting America will be releasing FAQs regarding the recent announcement.
For the official Scouting America announcement and ongoing updates, please visit the Scouting America newsroom; the official source for Scouting America releases: Scouting Newsroom – Official Scouting America Updates.
Thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to the youth we serve.
Yours In Scouting,
Chris Otto
Scout Executive, Mount Baker Council
Summary:
This position provides administrative support to the Scout Executive, development, and marketing activities of the organization. This position requires a broad range of administrative, organizaitonal, and basic technology skills. Responsible for the accurate recording of pledges, payments and contributions that support the financial well-being of Mount Baker Council. Communications during various phases should be professional, neat and timely. At all times, the donors’ confidentiality must be maintained.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Read the full description.
Applications should be submitted to Gloria at gloria.fansler@scouting.org or through the listing on Indeed.
On Friday, November 14, 2025, Scouting America announced that after reviewing the findings from the Scouts BSA “Family” Troop pilot, that all Scouts BSA Troops would have the option of becoming family Troops on December 15, 2025.
The communication sent by Roger Krone, Scouting America’s Chief Scout Executive and CEO is below.
The Mount Baker Council asks that units wait for additional information before moving forward as there are best practices and a process for all Troops, even those who participated in the pilot, to follow. This is an exciting step for Scouting and we want all units who wish to become family Troops on December 15th to have the necessary information.
Important Information |
Unit who have questions should reach out to their unit Commissioner or Emily Davis. Look for additional information from the Mount Baker Council as it becomes available. |
Announcement from Scouting America and Roger Krone |
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In response to a growing need for some of our Scouting families, the National Executive Board has approved a family troop option for Scouts BSA, following a successful pilot. This new option will be available December 15, 2025. This option provides chartered organizations with more flexibility in delivering Scouting to families in communities where there are not enough youth to have a boy-only or girl-only troop. While the vast majority of troops will continue to specifically serve boys or girls in the years ahead, this option gives chartered organizations the ability to meet the unique needs of their communities and families who want to do Scouting together in a unit. A survey of pilot units indicated:
This model represents a forward-thinking approach in our goal of adapting and meeting the needs of families, while upholding the core values of Scouting and our ongoing commitment to our mission to serve more young people across the country. I want to thank the Scouts BSA Committee, National Operations Leadership Committee, National Executive Board, councils, and units that participated in the pilot. Together we can deliver Scouting to a new generation of Americans. Yours in Scouting, Roger Krone Chief Scout Executive President & CEO Scouting America |
Mount Baker Council is excited to welcome Kyle Furgason to our team. Kyle will serve as the new Membership Growth Executive, with a dedicated focus on new unit development. Kyle joins us from Great Alaska Council, where he served as a District Executive and led significant membership growth efforts.
Kyle is originally from North Carolina where he earned his Eagle Scout. Kyle went on to serve as a volunteer in multiple Scouting roles, building a strong foundation of service and leadership. Kyle is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow.
Kyle likes to explore local coffee shops and find the best coffee. In his free time Kyle enjoys hiking, camping, and playing tennis. He sings in a community choir and volunteers at a local animal shelter.
Kyle brings commitment to Scouting’s mission, and he has a passion for expanding Scouting’s reach. His proven success in growing membership and engaging in communities makes him a valuable addition to our council. In his new role, Kyle will lead initiatives to establish new Scouting units across the council, helping more youth and families experience the adventure, character development, and lifelong impact of Scouting.
Kyle will begin his new role on December 1, 2025.
Please welcome Kyle to Mount Baker Council!
(Photo credit Philmont Scout Ranch. Noah Barta is seated 2nd from the right.)
Let me introduce our son Noah Barta, now 24 years old. He began his scouting career as a Tiger Cub in Seattle. Spending his most active and memorable scouting years in Troop 91 of Snohomish, he finished his scouting career as a Life Scout while a sophomore in high school in Mount Vernon.
Noah was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at age four and after an initial successful corrective surgery to his ureters he remained asymptomatic for about ten years. Unfortunately, during the past year his kidney function has declined rapidly. As his kidneys’ filtering efficiency continues to deteriorate he will soon enter “end stage renal failure”. At that point he will require dialysis (a short-term solution) or a transplant to survive.
Noah has always lived an active, athletic, and largely outdoor life. He works on strenuous construction projects varying from sheet metal work and solar panel installation to his recent entry into an electrician apprenticeship. Every weekend of the ski season he’s on the slopes. The rest of the year you will find him fishing, golfing, backpacking, or sky diving.
Why have you received this letter? As Noah’s dad, I’ve agreed to be what the UW Transplant Center refers to as a “Living Donor Champion” for Noah. In short, I’m putting my son’s story in front of as many people who might have a “connection” with him as possible. This connection might be with parents through his years in the Scouting community, or in the various churches our family has been part of during several geographical moves, or even the high school he attended. Our job is to tell Noah’s story.
This is a tremendous “ask” that we’re making. Perhaps his story struck a chord with you and you would like to learn more about the process of living kidney donation. Or maybe you would like to begin a simple initial screening process to see if you could consider becoming a donor. The first step is to contact the UW Transplant Center using the address or phone below.
With sincere thanks,
Stan and Cathi Barta
Key Points for Kidney Donors
o Most healthy people can donate.
o Donors can change their mind at any point in the process.
o Testing and screening expenses are covered by Noah’s insurance and UW Medical Center.
o If you are not a perfect match for Noah, “paired exchanges” are common: your kidney could save someone else who had found a donor that was a match for Noah.
o The UW transplant team’s priority is to never put a donor at undue risk.
UWMEDICINE.ORG/DONOR
206.598.3627
Original Document – Noah’s Story
This tracking sheet are those capital projects that are in the process of being completed to develop the property at Fire Mountain Scout Camp.
This list is maintained by the Fire Mountain Key 3.
The Mount Baker Council is pleased to announce the of our new Scout Executive, Christopher Otto.
Chris has recently been serving as the Director of Field Service in our neighboring Chief Seattle Council. An Eagle Scout and long-time Scouting professional, Chris brings a deep commitment to supporting volunteers, listening to families, and helping young people grow through the power of Scouting.
Chris and his wife Carolyn have two sons, Henry and Eli, both of whom participated in the Scouting program while being raised in the Pacific Northwest. When not participating in Scouting activities, they enjoy camping, skiing, golf, and gardening.
Throughout his career, Chris has focused on building strong, responsive programs by working closely with communities, volunteers, and staff. He’s passionate about the values of Scouting and believes in its ability to positively shape lives—and communities—for the better.
Chris will officially step into his new role on July 5, 2025, and is looking forward to meeting and working with all of you. He’s especially eager to continue our strong tradition of program innovation and fiscal stewardship while helping even more youth discover the adventure and purpose of Scouting.
We also thank Rich Good for his exemplary service to the Council as interim Scout Executive. Rich’s experience and dedication was invaluable as he guided us through staffing changes and a move to virtual office services. Rich will now resume the position of Development Director where his considerable talents will be utilized in helping to fund Scouting today and in the future.
Please join us in welcoming Chris to the Mount Baker Council community.
John Janicki Nick Spencer-Berger Matthew Latimer
Council President Council Commissioner Immediate Past Council
President
From Rich Good, Interim Scout Executive
The Mount Baker Council, Scouting America is pleased to announce two new members of staff, Nikki McLendon and Drew Shephard. Nikki will be serving as Council Registrar and has been diligently working with Susan McCaughan to learn the ins-and-outs of the system and the intricacies of registration and advancement. Drew will be joining as the Salish Sea District Executive
Nikki McLendon is the mother of 3 Scouts – 2 Cub Scouts and 1 in Scouts BSA – and has been involved in Scouting for several years. She volunteers at the unit level and knows how important the program is to the youth of our community. Outside of Scouting, Nikki has decades of experience as an administrator and is excited to put this knowledge to use as she gets to know the parents and Scout leaders of the Mount Baker Council. Nikki is looking forward to working with you to answer any questions you may have about registration or our Scholarship Fund.
Drew Shepherd’s involvement in Scouting began at the age of six as a Cub Scout and has continued to be
a defining part of his life. He has earned the Eagle Scout rank and been inducted as a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. Drew holds a degree in Business and Sustainability from Western Washington University. Outside of Scouting, he enjoys attending local baseball games and organizing board game nights with friends. He is excited to continue to give back to the Scouting community and looks forward to collaborating with everyone.
With Drew’s incorporation into the team we now have three District professionals covering the Council and focusing on unit and Council success. Nick Fortner is the District Executive covering the North Cascades District, Drew will be covering Salish Sea District, and both will report to District Director Andy Manson who will be taking charge of the Pilchuck District.
Welcome Nikki and Drew to the team!
We have heard there is some confusion regarding the closing of the Council Service Center in Everett. Below is the latest information.
Thank you for your patience during this time of transition.
The Mount Baker Council, Scouting America announces the retirement of long-time Council registrar, Susan McCaughan, effective February 28, 2025. Susan has been an invaluable asset to the Council for over 17 years. Best known as the Council Registrar, Susan is the go-to person for registration and unit questions. Susan’s knowledge and willingness to help will be missed.
In addition to her job as registrar, Susan is the mother of two Eagle Scouts and the wife of well-known volunteer Bob McCaughan. Susan can often be seen volunteering outside of her registrar duties, especially at Fire Mountain Scout Camp and with Scouts BSA Troop 288 in Snohomish. Her smile and never-ending energy are Susan’s trademarks, in both her position as registrar and as a volunteer.
Well-wishers are welcome to join us at Fire Mountain on Sunday, February 16th from 12:30pm to 3:00pm for a retirement gathering. You can also stop by the Council office before February 13th to congratulate Susan on her retirement. The Mount Baker Council wishes Susan all the best as she enjoys the retirement lifestyle.
