December 2024
We wanted to get to know Paula Umber, Great Falls Council‘s newest District Executive. She has just joined the council to lead the Winding Rivers District, which covers all of Chemung County and parts of Schuyler County in New York, plus all of Bradford County and parts of Lycoming and Sullivan Counties in Pennsylvania.
Paula is originally from Tioga County, Pennsylvania. She has a master’s degree in education and has held positions in teaching, business management, and insurance billing, as well as serving in the Army National Guard. She has three children and has been a soccer coach/mom for all of them! You can contact Paula at the Elmira office or by email.
Q: How did you get started in Scouting?
A: My son joined as a Tiger (1st grader) and I helped out with his pack until he was a Webelo (4th grader) and his leader moved away. He is very shy and did not continue after that. Now that I have learned more about Venturing, I am nudging him towards joining one in our area. He has a few more years to enjoy the program.
Q: What’s your favorite Scouting activity?
A: Exploring the outdoors through hiking, camping, and being active.
Q: What interests do you have outside of Scouting?
A: Watching my children play soccer, running ( I have ran distances from 5k to Half Marathons), fishing, and hiking.
Q: What does Scouting mean to you?
A: Scouting gives children and young adults opportunities to belong to part of a group that offers them the ability to see things and do things that they probably wouldn’t experience otherwise. Scouting gives them goals to achieve and gives them valuable learning while planning and implementing to reach their goals. Scouts offers them training to become better adults by teaching them foundational values and morals.
Q: What’s your favorite holiday treat?
A: Hot chocolate with marshmallows 🙂
