Cradle of Liberty Council, Scouting America

What Cradle of Liberty Council, Scouting America does

Cradle of Liberty Council, Inc. (Council Number 525) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit local council of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), serving youth and families across Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania. The council continues an organizational lineage that traces to the founding of Scouting in America in 1910 and adopted the national Scouting America rebrand in 2025. Operations are delivered through 11 geographic districts with a small professional staff of approximately 70 employees supported by an extensive volunteer network and chartered organizations (schools, churches, and community groups). The strategic target is 12,750 youth members with a 10% CAGR, including at least 2,300 youth from Philadelphia County, and the council currently serves over 400 youth in the Exploring career-exploration program with partners such as PECO and Boeing, plus over 1,000 under-resourced youth through After School Programs.

The council's product portfolio spans five core programs: Cub Scouts (grades K-5), Scouts BSA (grades 6-12), Venturing (co-ed ages 14-20), Sea Scouts (co-ed ages 14-20), and Exploring (ages 10-20). Specialized offerings include the council-administered STEM Award Program, Range and Target Activities, Historical Trails (Valley Forge, Ben Franklin, Trail of Freedom), Merit Badge College, and Eagle Scout advancement services. The council owns and operates Resica Falls Scout Reservation and Musser Scout Reservation, and runs the Valley Forge Scout Shop at the headquarters. Underlying technology consists of national Scouting America platforms — Scoutbook (advancement tracking), My.Scouting (member portal), BeAScout (unit finder), and the Scoutly AI Assistant (chatbot trained on Scouting America resources) — supplemented by council-specific integrations including Constant Contact for email, Square for the Trading Post, GiveSmart for fundraising, and Zoom for virtual training.

The revenue model is a diversified nonprofit fundraising mix rather than a transactional price model. Direct member registration fees flow through the national Scouting America system. Local revenue comes from unrestricted Annual Campaign donations (including Liberty Society monthly recurring gifts of $15+), tiered Giving Societies (Golden Eagle, Dan Beard, W.D. Boyce, Ernest Thompson Seton, Baden Powell), planned giving (Heritage Society, Good Turn Society up to $25,000+ lifetime), James E. West Fellowship Endowment contributions, Pennsylvania EITC tax-credit corporate gifts via Friends of Education, stock/securities gifts processed through UBS Financial Services, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, vehicle donations through Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA), Scout Shop retail (in-store and Square-powered online Trading Post), and special events (Golf Classic, Corporate Campfire gala, recognition dinners, Sousa Bowl). Go-to-market is community-led through 11 districts and direct-to-consumer via BeAScout and the council website, with free digital advertising offered to units that submit recruitment events.

Name

Cradle of Liberty Council, Scouting America

Legal name

Cradle of Liberty Council, Inc.

Website

https://scoutingphilly.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cradle of Liberty Council is a 501(c)(3) Scouting America local council serving Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania, delivering youth development programs (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, Exploring) to a target of 12,750 youth across 11 districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI), Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways) (EDAMALAN)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Scouting services
• Outdoor adventure programs
• Youth leadership training
• Character education

Headquarters

HQ city

King of Prussia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Campaign Donations: Unrestricted gifts to support council programs and facilities in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. Monthly recurring gifts through Liberty Society or one-time donations.
2. Stock and Securities Gifts: Donors can transfer stocks or mutual fund shares to avoid capital gains tax and receive charitable deductions. Works with UBS Financial Services for electronic transfers.
3. IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions: For donors 70.5+ years old, QCDs from IRAs count toward RMDs and provide tax benefits. Maximum $105,000/year per person ($210,000 for couples).
4. Vehicle Donation Program: Partnership with Scouting America and Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) for vehicle donations. Donors can give personal vehicles, fleet vehicles, work trucks to fund Scouting programs.
5. Scout Shop Sales: Valley Forge Scout Shop sells uniforms, handbooks, patches, equipment and Scouting supplies. Council Trading Post also available online.
6. Special Events Revenue: Golf classics, recognition dinners, Corporate Campfire gala, Sousa Bowl shooting event, and various award receptions generate fundraising revenue.
7. James E. West Fellowship Endowment: Recognition awards for contributions of $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000+ to Council's Endowment Trust Fund.
8. EITC Program Revenue: Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit program where businesses receive tax credits for contributions to qualifying council programs (Exploring and After School).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cradle of Liberty Council delivers age-appropriate Scouting youth development programs across Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties through five core programs (Cub Scouts K-5, Scouts BSA grades 6-12, Venturing, Sea Scouts, Exploring) plus specialized offerings including STEM/NOVA awards, Range and Target Activities, Merit Badge College, Eagle Scout advancement, Historical Trails, and camp experiences at council-owned Resica Falls and Musser Scout Reservations. Programs are funded via donations, membership fees, retail sales, and special events, and delivered through 11 geographic districts supported by volunteer-led chartered organizations and professional staff.

Product overview

Cradle of Liberty Council, Scouting America operates a multi-program youth development organization serving Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania. The portfolio includes five core Scouting programs—Cub Scouts (K-5), Scouts BSA (grades 6-12), Venturing (14-20), Sea Scouts (14-20), and Exploring (10-20)—alongside specialized offerings such as STEM/NOVA Awards, Range and Target Activities, Historical Trails, Merit Badge College, and camp facilities (Resica Falls Scout Reservation, Musser Scout Reservation). Supporting infrastructure includes ScoutBook (advancement tracking), My.Scouting (member portal), Scoutly AI Assistant (new family support), Valley Forge Scout Shop (retail), and district services across 11 geographic districts. Programs are delivered through chartered organizations with trained volunteer leadership and council professional staff support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Valley Forge Scout Shop: Council-operated scout shop selling uniforms, handbooks, and all Scouting needs
• Resica Falls Scout Reservation
• Musser Scout Reservation
• Order of the Arrow / Unami Lodge, One

Products and services

• Cub Scouts
• Scouts BSA
• Venturing
• Sea Scouts

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 12,750 youth (strategic target) with 10% annual growth rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Scouting America and Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) enables donors to give vehicles (personal vehicles, fleet vehicles, work trucks, forklifts) to fund Scouting programs. Donations tracked through dedicated website OneCarHelpsScouts.com and toll-free line 855-272-1227.
• Scouting America (National Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a local council of Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America), the council operates under national guidelines, shares training resources, uses national technology platforms (Scoutbook, My.Scouting, BeAScout), and participates in national programs including Jamborees and Order of the Arrow.
• PECO (Exploring Program Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPECO hosts Exploring post providing career experiences for 400+ youth ages 10-21. Professional mentors and workplace site visits teach young people about the energy/utilities profession.
• Boeing (Exploring Program Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoeing hosts Exploring post providing aerospace career experiences for youth. Professional mentors and site visits introduce young people to aviation and aerospace career paths.
• Friends of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Friends of Education provides streamlined approach for individuals to contribute to education in Pennsylvania and receive EITC tax credits through council programs.
• United WayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual campaigns bring communities together to focus on human needs. Donors can designate United Way contributions to Cradle of Liberty Council using identification number 00076.
• Resica Falls Scout ReservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil-owned high adventure camp facility providing overnight camping, outdoor activities, and program experiences for Scouts.
• Musser Scout ReservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil-owned camp facility with weekend rentals, Fall Fest events, and community day camp programs serving youth and families.
• Philadelphia Area Catholic Committee on ScoutingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal faith committee providing religious emblems programs and support for Catholic Scouting families in the council area.
• Jewish Committee on ScoutingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal committee administering religious emblems programs for Jewish Scout members including award requirements and counselor training.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Camp Fire (formerly Camp Fire Boys and Girls): National youth development nonprofit offering inclusive co-ed programs in outdoor education, leadership, and service learning. Operates through local councils with similar volunteer and camp-residential components; competes for the same youth-development donor dollars.
• 4-H (National 4-H Council): National youth development organization with strong STEM, agriculture, and civic engagement programming delivered through local clubs. Competes for the same parent/youth audience and shares volunteer-club, county-based delivery, and nonprofit fundraising mechanics.
• Scouting America (National Organization): National parent organization of Cradle of Liberty Council. While not a competitor, it sets program standards, owns the technology platforms (Scoutbook, My.Scouting, Scoutly AI), trademarks, and national brand identity that the council depends on for delivery and differentiation.
• YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties (Y-USA affiliate): Regional YMCA affiliate delivering youth sports, summer camps, after-school care, and leadership programs. Strong overlap with Scouting on summer camp, youth sports instruction, and family memberships in the greater Philadelphia region.

Emerging players

• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): National nonprofit wilderness education organization offering adventure-based leadership courses for teens and young adults. Comparable outdoor/adventure programming and youth leadership development focus, though serving an older and more niche audience than Cub Scouts.
• Adventure Scouts USA: Independent, non-affiliated scouting organization offering alternative scouting programs with more flexible structure. Functions as an emerging competitor for families disenchanted with traditional Scouting, particularly around inclusivity and program customization.

Direct peers

• Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania: Regional Girl Scout council serving the same eastern Pennsylvania geography with a comparable youth development mission, volunteer-driven unit model, council-managed camp facilities, cookie/product fundraising program, and donor society structure. The single most directly comparable peer to Cradle of Liberty Council.
• Patriots' Path Council (Scouting America): Sister Scouting America local council covering northern and central New Jersey. Operates the same national Scouting programs, technology stack, and volunteer model, making it a near-identical peer for benchmarking membership, fundraising, and camp operations.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia: Philadelphia-based youth development nonprofit serving under-resourced youth with after-school programs, mentoring, and character/leadership activities. Operates a comparable youth-services model in the same metro with similar nonprofit fundraising mechanics and corporate partnership needs.

Regional players

• Police Athletic League of Philadelphia: Philadelphia-based youth services nonprofit providing athletic, educational, and cultural programs for city youth, particularly in under-resourced neighborhoods. Comparable target demographic and after-school/camp programming; competes for Philadelphia County families and corporate donor partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCek-7tIY5AWi-VKcKU7iQHQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ScoutingPhilly
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scoutingphilly
• Instagraminstagram.com/ScoutingPhilly

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cradle of Liberty Council, Scouting America