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Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy not impacting President Ford Field Service Council

Boy Scouts of America Michigan Crossroads Council logo
Wikimedia Commons

Boy Scouts of America is filing for bankruptcy protection. It aims to equitably compensate men claiming they were molested decades ago by scoutmasters or other leaders. How does the decision impact the local President Ford Field Service Council?

Boy Scouts of America could be forced to sell off some of its vast property holdings, including campgrounds and hiking trails, to raise money for a victims' fund that could top $1 billion.

The President Ford Field Service Council in Walker is one of four councils under the umbrella of the Michigan Crossroads Council.

WGVU asked if its assets are at risk?

Donald Shepard, Scout Executive and CEO issued this statement, “The national organization of the Boy Scouts of America is the only entity involved in the Chapter 11 filing. The Michigan Crossroads Council – which provides programming, financial, facility and administrative support to local units and individual Scouts in our area – is separate and distinct from the national organization. Our camps, properties and all local contributions are controlled by our council.”

Michigan scouting programs will continue with an emphasis on youth protection policies.

Patrick Center, WGVU News

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.