The Mid-America Council has a strong tradition as one of the Nation’s premier Scout Councils. Since 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has instilled timeless values of character, citizenship, and leadership in each young person who has entered the Scouting program. The Mid-America Council continues this tradition through educational based skills and activities. Currently, there are 7,192 Scouts and 2,969 volunteer leaders.
The Mid-America Council was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council and the Southwest Iowa Council in 1965. The first recorded Scouting movement in the area was in 1918 as the Omaha Council. In 2000, our council merged with the Prairie Gold Council in the Sioux City, Iowa area. The Mid-America Council covers 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota.
Scouting in Nebraska Strengthens Through Unification
Boy Scouts of America’s Overland Trails Council and Mid-America Council to serve Nebraska families as one
Dear Council members,
August 1, 2024, marks a day in Scouting history for the Overland Trails Council and Mid-America Council.
The board of directors of both Nebraska Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Councils approved a unification vote in June 2024, to create a stronger Scouting organization to provide enhanced opportunities for youth in the region.
The decision to unify councils will connect the BSA’s Scouting program currently served by the Mid-America Council throughout 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota with the 44 counties served by the Overland Trails Council that covers 42,132 square miles in central Nebraska.
This decision is a culmination of years of careful consideration, discussions, and planning by the dedicated volunteer leaders of both Councils. The synergy between unifying these two Councils will strengthen the Scouting experience for all youth and families in the communities we serve.
The unification will encompass administrative functions, current property holdings, existing volunteers, and various Scouting units serving youth from kindergarten to 18 years old. Skilled leaders from the Overland Trails Council will join the expanded Mid-America Council Executive Board and professional staff to provide valuable expertise.
In addition to aligning resources, our Scouting families and volunteers will have broader access to regional Scouting with more robust program offerings and opportunities through this unification. We are strengthening Scouting in Nebraska and thank you for being a part of this adventure.
Yours In Scouting,
Chris Mehaffey, Mid-America Council, Scout Executive
David Plond, Overland Tails Council, Scout Executive