The Jim Bridger District Recognition Banquet was held Nov. 2, in Urie. At the banquet there were several who were recognized for their service in Scouting. 

Randy Barker was recognized for 40 years of service. Jarvis and Janell Koeven from Bridger Valley were recognized for a total of 90 years of service between them — Jarvis served for 50 years and Janell for 40 years.

Those receiving the award of “District Award of Merit” included: Marnae Lord of Mountain View, Jessica Vaupel of Mountain View, Ryan Richins of Evanston, Celeste Hatch of Evanston.

As we come the close of 2017, the Jim Bridger District would like to share with the community the successes it experienced in Scouting programs this year. 

Did you know? 

• The Jim Bridger District enrolls young men ages 8-18 years old in the communities of Bridger Valley, Kemmerer and Evanston. 

• Currently, there are more than 1,400 young men registered in the Scouting program, and there are more than 800 adults who volunteer their time to lead and mentor the Scouts.

• Recently, leaders recognized Randy Barker of Evanston for 40 years of volunteer service, and Jarvis and Janell Koeven from Bridger Valley for their combined 90 years of volunteer service in the Scouting program. 

• Twenty-four young men earned the rank of Eagle Scout from the Jim Bridger District in 2017. 

• The Scouts and volunteer leaders performed just over 10,000 hours of service within the Jim Bridger district foot print. 

• Twice a year in Evanston, the local Scouting units conduct a “Scouting for Food” drive, to collect food for the Lord’s Storehouse. This year the Scouts collected more than five tons of food donated by the citizens of Evanston. The food collected equates to just under 70,000 meals for those in need. In the Bridger Valley and Kemmerer areas the food drive held once a year to support their local food pantries collected more than 6,000 pounds of food. 

• Scouts have provided numerous flag ceremonies around the communities for different events. 

The Jim Bridger District would like to thank the communities of Evanston, Kemmerer, Bridger Valley, and surrounding areas for supporting the Scouting program that helps young men with character development, citizenship and fitness. 

The financial support leaders receive from the annual Friends of Scouting Campaign is kept locally and supports the local Scouting program. Local Scouting units benefit from communities’ financial support as the funds are retained locally to help provide a successful Scouting opportunity for all local Scouts.