BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION — Today’s youth participating in Scout America helped celebrate the organization’s 115th birthday on Saturday. Participants learn various tasks, including the proper way to fold the American flag. -- Contributed

WHEELING — Scouting America is the nation’s foremost youth program that provides young people with unique opportunities focused on character development, leadership, fun and outdoor exploration. The organization celebrated its 115th birthday on Saturday. The day marked a pivotal moment in the organization’s journey, as it officially adopted its new name, Scouting America.

“The organization continues to adapt to meet the evolving needs of young people, ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to benefit from this transformative program,” stated Roger Krone, Scouting America president and CEO.

For more than a century, Scouting America’s mission has remained the same: To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lives, by instilling in them the values of the Scout oath and law. Whether it’s a camping trip, a Pinewood Derby car race or a trail hike, every adventure encourages personal growth by teaching youth how to set goals and achieve them with determination.

“As we look to the future, Scouting America is dedicated to providing young people with the values, skills and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly-changing world,” Krone continued. “Scouting America has helped instill timeless values for multiple generations of Americans. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the values and skills instilled by Scouting are more critical than ever, and the need for strong character, ethical decision-making and effective leadership remains paramount.”

“As we celebrate 115 years of service to our nation, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment where young people can develop these essential qualities, empowering them to reach their full potential and preparing them to become responsible and engaged citizens,” Krone added.

Scouting America has remained committed to providing youth with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills, create lifelong memories and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. In fact, more than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting America programs since its founding in 1910 by William D. Boyce. Currently, more than 1 million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.

“In Northern West Virginia and Eastern Ohio, we are impacting more youth and adults through the Scouting America program,” stated Scott Hanson, Scout executive and CEO of Mountaineer Area Council. “With the support of hundreds of adult volunteers, we continue to strive to prepare all young people with the values and experiences of Scouting America to become great adults and leaders of our communities. The door to Scouting America is always open and ready for more youth and families.” The weeklong birthday celebration kicked off with historic sites from coast-to-coast illuminated in red, white and blue lights in honor of Scouting America, including Niagara Falls, Milwaukee’s Hoan Bridge, St. Louis’ the Wheel at Union Station, Cleveland’s Terminal Tower, Pennsylvania’s State Capitol, Louisiana’s State Capitol, Baltimore’s City Hall and Capella Tower and I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis.