Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Texas Trails Council, Scouting America
Legal Name (if Different): Texas Trails Council, BSA
Also Known As: Texas Trails Council, Boys Scouts of America
Mailing Address: 3811 N. 1st Street
City: Abilene
State: TX
Postal Code: 79603
Main Phone: 325-677-2688
Main Fax: 325-677-2923
Organization Website: https://www.texastrailsbsa.com/
Employer ID Number: 23-7206784
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2-17-2026
Requested Amount: 5,000

Project Title: Ready, Set, Explore! ScoutReach Fee Help & Transport to Camp Tonkawa
Project Description:

ScoutReach embodies Texas Trails Council’s firm commitment that a child’s zip code, family income, or transportation challenges will never prevent them from experiencing the transformative benefits of scouting. Serving youth across 18 counties in West Central Texas, the Texas Trails ScoutReach program partners with public schools and community organizations to deliver consistent, relationship-focused programming through school- and community-based units. We also oversee hundreds of active scouting troops. ScoutReach is an integral part of the Texas Trails Council and the Scouting America network, fulfilling its mission to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lives by providing equitable access to scouting’s character-building programs for all youth, regardless of their background or circumstances. Each week, ScoutReach nurtures character development grounded in leadership, responsibility, teamwork, respect, community service, and the confidence that grows when children are truly known, challenged, and supported. We bring scouting directly into after-school settings such as local Boys and Girls Clubs, rural elementary school programs, and churches. The majority of schools we serve are Title I, low-socioeconomic schools. Our programming includes a variety of hands-on activities, ranging from Native American weaving, local plant and bird identification, to basic first aid, following the Scouting America curriculum. Demographically, our ScoutReach youth are 80% low-income, 31% Hispanic, 10% African American, and come from small towns where structured youth development opportunities are increasingly scarce. Camp Tonkawa, our 188-acre campsite located in Taylor County, is where these lessons truly come alive! For many ScoutReach youth, it is their first meaningful outdoor experience. They arrive by bus, step onto a trail, and suddenly their world grows bigger. They collaborate to solve challenge ropes course problems that require teamwork beyond any one person’s effort. They develop focus and self-discipline on the archery range. They acquire practical skills in outdoor cooking (who doesn’t love showing a child how to make a s’more for the first time over a fire) and basic first aid. Our Scoutreach children get to engage directly with conservation by exploring how land, water, and wildlife are affected, and why stewardship matters. By the end of the day, they are tired, proud, and visibly transformed. The challenge is not interest, it’s access. Approximately 80% of our ScoutReach participants live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, making registration fees and transportation costs significant barriers for many families. Rural childhood poverty is about more than income; it’s about limited access to opportunities that help young people build confidence, leadership, and hope for the future. In many small towns across West Central Texas, families work hard, support one another, and hold deep ties to their communities and faith. The challenge is not a lack of willingness or motivation, but the lack of local programs or the prohibitive cost of those that do exist. National research confirms that rural counties face higher and more persistent child poverty rates than urban areas. Many families fall into the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) category. Which means what, really? It means they work, often multiple jobs, yet struggle to cover basic expenses. In these circumstances, even a modest registration fee can mean the difference between a child joining a positive youth program or missing out on vital guidance. Once that door closes early, it often stays closed. Our grant request will fund a one-year ScoutReach Access Fund with two primary goals: Fee Offset: Reduce registration costs for rural families so their children can enroll in either a traditional scouting program in their City, or an after-school program, without financial strain, preventing dropout before participation begins. Transportation and Character Resources: Provide transportation to Camp Tonkawa for ScoutReach youth to attend day trips and fund supplies for hands-on materials that deepen leadership, service, outdoor skills, and practical learning. This potential is not just abstract; it is tangible. In action, it looks like this:
-A shy 8-year-old leading their first flag ceremony.
-A girl from a rural district earning her first merit badge in first aid and discovering her passion for health sciences.
-A young man who has never camped before steps up to mentor younger scouts. This is identity formation, not just programming. When youth internalize that they belong and are capable, they gain the confidence needed to succeed. This transformation leads to positive long-term outcomes, including higher graduation rates, better employment opportunities, greater stability, and more prosocial decision-making. These outcomes equip communities with strong mentors and leaders who provide the foundation for growth and prosperity. By removing financial and logistical barriers, ScoutReach ensures rural youth have equitable opportunities to grow through scouting’s proven character-building experiences, fostering community strength and lifelong resilience. Our project budget reflects the revenue capacity we hope to grow into as demand continues to rise.

Total Project Budget: 62,840

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): United Way and local community partners; individual donors; and in-kind support through school and community partners (meeting space, coordination, volunteers). Additional local foundation support is being pursued to expand fee assistance and transportation capacity.

Project Duration: 2027-the following year, if awarded.
Geographical Area Served: West Central Texas (including Taylor, Jones, Runnels, and Coleman counties)
Age Group To Be Served: 6-13

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Gwangi
Contact Last Name: Shipp
Contact Title: Scouting Executive
Contact Phone: 325-513-7338
Contact Email: gwangi.shipp@scouting.org