Muskingum Valley Council and Simon Kenton Council Due Diligence Update: Collaboration Already Underway

Simon Kenton Council and Muskingum Valley Council Logos

A joint update from the Muskingum Valley Council and Simon Kenton Council.

Recently, the Muskingum Valley Council (MVC) and Simon Kenton Council (SKC) announced a period of due diligence to explore how our two councils can best work together to strengthen Scouting across our combined service areas. We committed to transparency throughout this process, and we’re pleased to share our first progress update.

What’s Happened So Far

Joint committees made up of volunteers and professionals from both councils have begun meeting to evaluate key areas of our operations. One topic our joint committees discussed was whether a merger is a viable option for both councils.

Here’s a summary of what each committee has been working on:

Program Committee
This committee is focused on finding ways to bring better programming to Scouts across both councils. Work is already underway in several areas:

  • Analyzing district boundaries and where units are located to identify opportunities for shared programming
  • Reviewing calendars to find events that could be collaborative – sharing supplies, leaders, and spaces
  • Exploring a partnership on ScoutReach efforts, including in-school programs, rural outreach, and the Classroom in the Woods initiative
  • Sharing best practices between staff and districts – when something is working in one community, we want to bring it to others

Culture Committee
The Culture Committee is focused on ensuring that youth across both councils have access to the strongest possible leadership development and training opportunities. Early wins include:

  • Both councils will collaborate on NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) and Wood Badge courses, combining staff and participants from both councils for a stronger experience
  • Plans are underway for a joint University of Scouting – a combined training event that will offer more sessions, more expertise, and more value to volunteers from both councils
  • The committee’s primary focus remains making sure all youth are provided with leadership opportunities and ample training across the region

Properties Committee
A thorough review of both councils’ camp properties and facilities has begun. The committee found that Camp Falling Rock (SKC) and the Muskingum Valley Scout Reservation (MVC) are comparable in many ways – similar in overall size, dining hall capacity, infrastructure, and utilities. This evaluation will continue as we assess how our properties can best serve the Scouting needs of both councils.

Finance Committee
A review of both councils’ financial positions has been conducted, including an assessment of current operations, revenue streams, and long-term sustainability. This analysis is a critical part of the due diligence process and will inform how we can best position Scouting for financial strength across the region.

Governance Committee
The Governance Committee has reviewed the current board structures and bylaws of both councils and is evaluating how the two boards can work together effectively. This work is ongoing as the committee determines next steps for organizational alignment.

What’s Next

All committees will continue meeting over the coming weeks and months. As a reminder, this process is exploratory – no decisions have been made. Our goal is to determine the most effective path forward for delivering Scouting at the highest level for the youth, families, volunteers, and communities we serve.

We will continue to provide updates as this work progresses. If you have questions or feedback, please contact the Simon Kenton Council office at skcquestions@scouting.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Scouting. Together, we are building a stronger future for the young people in our communities.