“If you are going to celebrate a 100th anniversary, do it in a big way.” That’s the philosophy of six adult volunteers from Michigan who will be visiting the Utah National Parks Council’s Orem office on October 26 during a unique 45,000 mile, year long road trip. Their goal is to help all of the 300+ Boy Scouts of America councils throughout the United States kickoff their local celebration of 100 years of Scouting.

Dubbed “A Century of Values,” the road journey teams launched their official kickoff in Laingsburg, Michigan on February 8, 2009. The caravan is winding its way across the country, scheduled to end in Irving, Texas at the National Boy Scout Museum on February 8, 2010 – the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Century of Values team will be arriving at the Orem Service Center on October 26. A press conference will be held at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come to the Orem Service Center anytime after 10 a.m. on October 26 to see the colorfully decorated motor home and sign their guest book.

According to A Century of Values Advisor Frank Mallon, the visits are designed to thank local officials and volunteers for their commitment and dedication to the community’s youth while highlighting the positive impact that Scouting’s traditions have had during the past 100 years. “Our goal was to celebrate the values instilled in young people which were developed by adults through training, example, and the Scout Oath and Law,” he said.

Fourteen teams will rotate driving the 45,000 miles in the 32-foot colorfully decorated motor home donated by Coachmen Industries. At each of the 300 plus council stops, team members will present local Boy Scout representatives with a framed 24” by 36” anniversary mural and help kickoff local centennial events.

The mural depicts famous individuals, places and events in Scouting history. It was created by professional illustrator and Eagle Scout, Bill Morrison who has done design work for Disney and Hollywood animation studios.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. For nearly a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and through nearly a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

For more information about the Utah National Parks Council and to learn more about our local centennial celebration of the Boy Scouts of America, visit http://www.utahscouts.org.