As an Associate Trust Advisor, vice president of PNC Wealth Management, attorney David Hodnett handles trust and estate planning from his downtown Baltimore office.
He attributes his leadership, management, communication, critical thinking and life skills to his Boy Scout training.
He began at age seven, ascending to Eagle Scout at age 17. He also spent two years as a professional scout. “Now I like to pay it forward,” said Hodnett.
Hodnett was one of 30 volunteers that were present at the Baltimore Area Council Boy Scouts of America (BAC-BSA) First Class Camp reception on December 14, 2009 at the Shapiro Scout Service Center in Hampden.
“It is a win-win for us,” said NAACP Ninth Baltimore Branch President Marvin “Doc” Cheatham of the impact on African American young males. “There is so much potential in neighborhoods where they’ve been forgotten.”
The NAACP entered into the mentoring partnership with BAC-BSA for the First Class Camp on July 29, 2008. The two organizations have a number of things in common, among which are leadership development and a century’s worth of history.
“The NAACP is a great bridge to introduce the Boy Scouts into the black community, to enhance what we’re doing,” said Ron McKinney, BAC-BSA field director.
There are nine BAC camps serving 120 school aged males within three districts: Thurgood Marshall (West Baltimore), Hopkins (East Baltimore) and Reginald F. Lewis; which handles the most troubled areas in Baltimore City, Harford County, Four Rivers, Annapolis and others.
“It is such a great organization to build character in young men,” said NAACP Anne Arundel County Branch President Jacqueline Boone-Allsup. “There is a need to increase the number of African Americans to join.”
Young scout participants receive the trademark basic survival skills such as first aid and lifesaving techniques— necessary to advance in rank— along with the decision making, physical fitness, and character development skills for life achievement.
“Most parents don’t give scouting a second thought,” said U.S. Army Capt. Steven Davis, Scoutmaster at Kingdom Building Church of Christ in Glen Burnie. “There is a benefit for your son being part of a troop.”
There is a reasonable annual fee, with the caveat that Scout members must engage in fundraisers— popcorn campaigns, car washes, carnivals and other activities. Successful Fund raisers require strong parental participation.
“We definitely see it as a national pilot,” said Willie Iles, Jr. BSA National director for Government & Community Relations. “Baltimore has some of the best visionary leadership.”
Vision is what McKinney brought to NAACP Maryland State Conference President Gerald Stansbury over year ago to initiate the program.
As a scout himself, Stansbury attributed his success as a Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. fraternity member and his U.S. Army career to the 99-year old organization.
Six months ago BAC-BSA district paraprofessional Destiny Murdock began a program designed specifically for the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center (BCJJC), managed by program specialist Marvin Dorsey.
It offers 11 merit badges including crime prevention, citizenship, personal management and family impact. The program has been so successful that BCJJC Assistant Superintendent Arthur Edwards asked them to train his staff.
Scout leaders like Hodnett and Stansbury are not the exception to the rule among African Americans, according to Thurgood Marshall District director Kareem Aziz.
“The Scouts have had a long wonderful history in the black community, quiet as it’s kept,” said Aziz. “You would be surprised how many African American leaders give credence to the scouts.”
However, BSA programs disappeared in communities where sports became the focus of black male youth. “Scouting lost its prominence as a leadership development tool,” said Aziz. “We want to bring it back.”
The Baltimore Area Council Boy Scouts of America is located on 701 Wyman Park Drive in Baltimore. To learn more about scouting, call 443-573-2500 or visit www.baltimorebsa.org.
He attributes his leadership, management, communication, critical thinking and life skills to his Boy Scout training.
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