The Dan Beard Council is the administrative body of the Boy Scouts of America in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. With a geographic area of 12 counties in Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky and an average annual membership of 20,000 families, the Dan Beard Council is one of the larger metropolitan councils in the country and the largest youth organization in the Cincinnati area. The council administers the Scouting program through 7 districts, providing volunteer support, training, program opportunities, and administrative services such as membership and advancement records, new unit development, and unit fundraising opportunities in the form of the annual popcorn sale. Hundreds of Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews, Explorer Posts, and Sea Scout Ships make up the membership of the council.

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the council operations are completely funded by the Friends of Scouting annual giving campaign, corporate sponsorships, the popcorn sale and activity revenue. Funding is used for program delivery in the form of camp operations, the Scout Achievement Center, professional and support staff, and the many Scouting events held throughout the council each year.

The Dan Beard Council is chartered through the Boy Scouts of America annually. Thanks to the generosity and support of the people and businesses of the Greater Cincinnati area, the council has a fiscally sound operation that proves the council to be good stewards of its roots that began in 1913 and strong providers for the future of the Scouting movement in our area.

The council Board of Directors is headed by the council president and is made up of annually elected volunteer community leaders. The board establishes the council program and carries out the resolutions, policies, and activities of the council. Andy Zahn, the Scout Executive, manages the council operations through a staff of 29 professionals and 18 support staff. The Dan Beard Scout Shop provides Scouting uniforms, gear, and merchandise to support unit programs.

Four camp properties are operated by the council including Camp Friedlander, Camp Craig, Cub World, and Camp Michaels. Each year, over 5,000 youth will participate in summer camp programs and another 20,000 will enjoy the camps in various seasonal events and unit outings.

Often when people refer to the “Council” they aren’t quite sure who exactly they may be referring to. The “Council” is not merely the Board of Directors, the professional staff, or the council-level volunteers that give leadership to its many program; in actuality, the “Council” includes every registered youth, leader, and volunteer. With a long history of delivering the promise of the values of the Scout Oath and Law, we can all be justly proud to call ourselves members of the Dan Beard Council.