Boys to Bobcats

Published: 11/3/2008 12:00:00 AM

As chair of the Chehote District of the Boy Scouts of America, Great Smoky Mountain Council, I am honored to be involved in work that is helping build future leaders. Just last week I had the privilege of attending a “Boys to Bobcat Graduation Ceremony” for the Chehote Champions. It was a special night that included a room full of fine young boys and proud parents.

Alvin Nance, Executive Director and CEO, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation

Boys to Bobcats

As chair of the Chehote District of the Boy Scouts of America, Great Smoky Mountain Council, I am honored to be involved in work that is helping build future leaders.

Just last week I had the privilege of attending a “Boys to Bobcat Graduation Ceremony” for the Chehote Champions. It was a special night that included a room full of fine young boys and proud parents.

The Chehote District primarily covers inner-city Knoxville. This area includes youth who are often referred to as at-risk or disadvantaged, but I and my colleagues at the Boy Scouts choose to refer to these young people and the many adults who serve them as the Chehote Champions.

There has been a lot of growth and activity in the Chehote District during 2008. We have added about 200 new members since January. That’s 200 young people that we will reach with effective character, citizenship and personal fitness training.

The boys who were part of the graduation ceremony are just beginning their scouting journey - Bobcat is the first rank that every boy must earn when entering the Cub Scout program. I look forward to watching these lads work their way through the ranks. Who knows? Maybe one of them will be the chair of the Chehote District or the head of KCDC someday.

KCDC’s mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call (865) 403-1100 or visit http://www.kcdc.org.