Council News

May 2025: In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank Acomb interviews Gary Decker, CEO and Scout Executive of Great Falls Council, Scouting America. They discussed the merger and its benefits to Scouts in Western New York and the Twin Tiers. They also discussed camp facilities, including Camp Gorton, Camp Scouthaven, and Camp Sam Wood. They also talked about Gary's life...

By Megan Coppersmith Szerwo and Jill VanDewoestine, May 2025 On May 21, 2025, Joseph Trusiak, formerly of Scouts BSA Troop 468 (Lancaster, NY), was honored with the Medal of Merit. The ceremony was held at Russell’s Steaks, Chops, and More and presented by Gary Decker, CEO and Scout Executive of Great Falls Council, and Kevin Cross, Great Falls Council Board President.  ...

May 2025: In this episode, Bob Confer interviews Jessica Bonham and Brandon Blatz of Great Falls Council, Scouting America. We talked about resident summer camps at Camp Sam Wood and Camp Scouthaven, Cub Scout day camps throughout Western New York, and why Scout summer camp is a life-changing experience for campers and camp staff alike.  Scouting Today shines the spotlight...

  Enjoy our May 2025 Newsletter, featuring amazing Scout heroes, important event and program kickoff information, camp hiring updates, and more! If you would like to get our Newsletters delivered directly to your email, fill out this form.  Do you have a Scouting story you'd like us to feature? Please submit your ideas to Charlotte Viscio Clark, our Marketing...

Three Great Falls Council Scouts were recognized for their lifesaving actions on May 3 at the 2025 Volunteer Recognition Banquet.  Emmilyn Pygon of Troop 229G (Kenmore, NY) received the Certificate of Merit. This award is given to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a significant act of service deserving of special national recognition. Brooks Emo of Troop...

Five distinguished Scouting volunteers were honored with the Silver Beaver award from the Great Falls Council on May 3 at their inaugural Volunteer Recognition Dinner. The event was held at the Avon Inn in Avon, NY, and over 130 people attended. The Silver Beaver is awarded to active adult Scouting volunteers for exceptional and noteworthy service to youth within a...

WGRZ's Rob Hackford, a journalist, producer, and Buffalo native, will host the inaugural Great Falls Council Volunteer Recognition Dinner on May 3, 2025.   Rob has worked at WGRZ since August 2020,  and has anchored Weekend Daybreak since May 2024. Before that, he worked at WSYR-TV in Syracuse. He attended University of Buffalo and graduated from SUNY Oswego's Broadcast & Mass Communications...

  Enjoy our April 2025 Bonus Newsletter, featuring amazing events, important camping information, our Distinguished Citizen Award Lunch awardee, and more! If you would like to get our Newsletters delivered directly to your email, fill out this form.