Boy Scouts of Racine, Kenosha and Milwaukee Are Now 'Three Harbors'

The Boy Scouts of Racine, Kenosha and Milwaukee have come together to form one council, Three Harbors.

Between the former Southeast Wisconsin (Racine and Kenosha) and Milwaukee councils, more than 24,000 boys and young men participate in scounting programs. Now, instead of the two councils, governance will come from one, central group.

“This is an exciting time for Scouting in southeastern Wisconsin,” said Ed Brandon in a written release. “We just celebrated 100 years of Boy Scouts in America; this is a great follow-up to that celebration. This positions us for better, stronger Scouting for the next 100 years.”

Brandon will serve as the new council’s Scout Executive and CEO.

The new Three Harbors Council expects the consolidation to enhance scouting opportunities like National Youth Leadership Training, Klondike Derbies, Camporees, and Roundtables. And while it makes more fiscal sense as well, money isn't the primary reason behind the move.

“This consolidation will help us put more resources toward programs instead of administration," said Sean Waiss, a Sturtevant Cubmaster "Families will feel the impact, but it will be positive.”

He points to the Scout centers in Milwaukee and Racine. Both will remain open, but the Racine shop will move from locally operated to a national supply store, which makes it easier on local packs and troops to get the supplies they need.

Also, the number of camps available to scouts has just doubled, from two to four.

"Three Harbors will now have four camps, two each for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts with each location offereing something different," Waiss said.

Staffing is not expected to change much with the exception of Brock Bigsby. He is retiring, again, after coming out of retirement to serve as the interim president of the Southeast Wisconsin Council.

Three Harbors Council becomes official on Oct. 1, 2011.