050431-N-1810F-181
Fort A.P. Hill, Va. (April 31, 2005) - The spirit of brotherhood through scouting closely resembles that found in the Navy, which add to the spirit of adventure during the National Boy Scouts Jamboree. More than 40,000 Boy Scouts from every state in America and dozens of other countries attended the Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill. U.S. Navy photo by All Hands Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Todd Frontom (RELEASED)

Boy Scouts merging 3 councils into 1 as ranks dwindle

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Boy Scouts of America in Utah says it is merging three councils into one as the organization adapts to a future without thousands of members that were sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Utah-based faith removed 400,000 young people from Scouts nationally on Jan. 1, moving the young boys into the church’s own new youth program. The church was one of Boy Scouts of America’s greatest allies and the largest sponsor of troops for decades. New council spokesman Brent Uberty said there are about 7,000 Boy Scouts in Utah.