Panther District BSA

Panther District BSA Since its founding in 1910 as part of the international Scout Movement, more than 110 million Americans have been members of the BSA.

The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with 2.7 million youth members and over 1 million adult volunteers. The BSA's goal is to train youth in responsible citizenship, c

haracter development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations. For younger members, the Scout method is part of the program to inculcate typical Scouting values such as trustworthiness, good citizenship, and outdoors skills, through a variety of activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking. The BSA has several locations in Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, and West Virginia in the United States and Manitoba and Ontario in Canada that allow Scouts to participate in the various aforementioned outdoor activities which are collectively called high-adventure bases. The BSA is a constituent member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The traditional Scouting divisions are Cub Scouting for boys ages 7 to 10½ years, Boy Scouting for boys ages 10½ to 18 and Venturing for young men and women ages 14 (or 13 and having completed the 8th grade) through 21. Learning for Life is a non-traditional subsidiary that provides in-school and career education. The BSA operates traditional Scouting by chartering local organizations, such as churches, clubs, civic associations, or educational organization, to implement the scouting program for youth within their communities. Units are led entirely by volunteers appointed by the chartering organization, who are supported by local councils using both paid Professional Scouters and volunteers.

09/03/2026

Are you ready to find your true heading? Registration for Wood Badge 2027 is officially OPEN!
True leadership isn't just about knowing the way—it’s about Leading with Direction. Whether you are looking to revitalize your unit, sharpen your communication skills, or connect deeper with a legacy of Scouting excellence, Wood Badge course 16-88-27 is your map to the future.
Join the Southwest Florida Council this spring for an unforgettable two-weekend leadership expedition at PSSR & CFE.
🗓️ Weekend 1: February 26–28, 2027
🗓️ Weekend 2: April 3–4, 2027
Spaces on the trail are limited. Secure your spot today and prepare to guide the leaders of tomorrow!
Register now: swflcouncilbsa.doubleknot.com/training/wood-badge/25788

08/31/2026

Winter Camp 2026 is coming — and it's shaping up to be the most exciting one yet!

All the details, forms, and resources are now live on the council website. Five days, four nights of Scouting adventure at Price-Sanders Scout Reservation this December — completely revamped with new programs, new activities, and returning traditions!

New this year:
Complete Angler Award – Scouts spend their mornings earning Fishing, Fly Fishing, and Fish & Wildlife Management merit badges, plus the Complete Angler Award itself
Renegade Program ($350) – A three-day high-adventure track: deep sea fishing, horsemanship, and a shooting sports & High COPE day
Troop vs. Troop Night – A brand new evening program joining the lineup
New unit activities: knife throwing, shotgun shoot, rifle, troop climbing, night swim, Dutch oven sampler, and Iron Chef Challenge
New merit badges including Space Exploration, Astronomy, Pottery, and Wood Carving

Plus the Closing Campfire returns, 35+ merit badges, an evening luau and more!

Registration: Youth/Provisional Youth $200 | Adults $75
Registration opens September 15, 2026 at 9am — closes 11/30/26. Space is limited, so don't wait!

Find the flyer, advancement guide, packing list, daily schedule, and more — it's all on the website now.

View resources: www.swflcouncilbsa.org/camping/scouts-bsa-winter-camp/76769

Adventure is always in season

08/25/2026

Fall is packed with adventure! From Summer Camp Trade Show to Cub Scout Spooktacular, there's something for every Scout and family this season. Mark your calendars and check swflcouncilbsa.org for details.

08/10/2026

Scouts BSA members can get a jump start on earning American Business, Personal Management and other merit badges by attending one of our Introduction to Budgeting and Credit classes.

Register today to help your Scout learn the importance of saving and budgeting for the future. Space is limited to the first 20 Scouts at each location. A minimum of 5 youth is needed to hold the class. Both locations and all dates offer the same information; no need to register more than once. MUST be pre-registered; no walk-ins. Choose the date and location of your choice.

LEE COUNTY LOCATION -
LMCU Gulf Cost Branch, 17830 Ben Hill Griffin Pkwy., Fort Myers, 33913

COLLOER COUNTY LOCATION -
LMCU North Naples Branch, 273 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples, 34109

Contact E-mail
[email protected]

Register Here:
https://www.swflcouncilbsa.org/registration/calendardetail.aspx?activitykey=3153272&orgkey=347&ReturnURL=//www.swflcouncilbsa.org/app/calendar/month/347/2026-08-01/347/0/

06/09/2026

SUMMER CAMP READINESS WEBINAR
📅 Thursday, June 18
🕖 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)
💻 Live on Zoom
Is Your Troop Ready to Travel Safely?

Join us for an important Scouting America safety session to ensure your troop is prepared for a safe and successful summer camp experience.

The Guide to Safe Scouting emphasizes the importance of planning, risk awareness, and safety practices for all activities—this webinar will help bring those guidelines to life for your unit leaders.


🔎 What You’ll Learn:
• How to apply the SAFE Checklist to summer camp travel
• Key safety considerations for transportation & supervision
• Preparing leaders and youth for a safe outdoor experience
• Tips to avoid common risks before departure
• Q&A with experienced Scouting leaders

👥 Who Should Attend:
• Scoutmasters & Assistant Scoutmasters
• Committee Members
• Troop Leaders & Volunteers
• Anyone involved in summer camp preparation

🎯 Why This Matters:
Strong preparation ensures every Scout returns home safely and fully benefits from the adventure. Scouting’s safety policies are designed to protect youth while enabling great outdoor experiences.

🔗 Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81025949571?pwd=wbJpQwNr3gsDfVmhkxaUaQE40BCKLb.1

Calling all Scouts! When a hurricane knocks out cell towers and the power grid goes dark — who keeps Florida connected? ...
06/02/2026

Calling all Scouts! When a hurricane knocks out cell towers and the power grid goes dark — who keeps Florida connected? Ham radio operators. And THIS is your chance to become one for a day.

Join us at ARRL Field Day on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at North Fort Myers Community Park for a FREE, hands-on emergency communications simulation! Get on the air, talk to operators across the country, watch antennas go up in the trees, and see how solar panels and batteries power a radio station completely off-grid.

Perfect for Radio, Emergency Preparedness & Electricity Merit Badges!

📍 2000 Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers
🗓️ Saturday, June 27 — Drop in anytime starting at Noon
FREE

RSVP or schedule a guided group walkthrough: [email protected] | (941) 275-9145

05/30/2026

ONE DAY LEFT!
Have you taken the NEW Safeguarding Youth Training yet?
Make sure you've taken it before Sunday, May 31, 2026, as that is when Youth Protection Training EXPIRES!
Youth Protection Training (YPT) has been replaced by the new Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT). This training is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement.
Here are some updates regarding the new training:
⚫ The new 20-minute Safeguarding Youth (SYT) Refresher course is Live.
⚫ If you have not taken the NEW SYT full 90 Minute course, you must take that first before you can take the refresher to get full SYT credit.
⚫ If your SYT is expired for 7 days or more, you must take the full 90 minute course again.
⚫ If you fail the course quiz on the refresher course with less than an 80% on your first attempt, you will be directed back to the full 90 minute course.
⚫The course is available in the Volunteer Learn Center in English and Spanish.
• Safeguarding Youth Refresher
• Curso de actualización SYT
Click here to learn more 👉https://www.scouting.org/training/safeguarding-youth/

05/25/2026

Today we pause to honor and remember the heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to something greater than themselves are values we strive to live out in Scouting every day.

As Scouts, we remember. We reflect. We give thanks.

Attention Scouts ages 13–17! Looking for community service hours? The Fort Myers Police Department is offering a FREE we...
05/21/2026

Attention Scouts ages 13–17! Looking for community service hours? The Fort Myers Police Department is offering a FREE week-long Community Service Camp July 27–31, 9AM–2PM. Earn 25 service hours upon completion! Scan the QR code or contact Ofc. K. McCoy at 239.887.1848 to apply today!

Address

1801 Boy Scout Drive
Fort Myers, FL
33907

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12399368072

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Panther District BSA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Panther District BSA:

Shortcuts

Share