News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Following years of declining membership and institutional challenges, Crossroads of America Council, Scouting America, has named John Cary as its new Scout Executive and CEO.

John Cary

Cary, 53, a Louisville native and veteran Scouting America professional, steps into the role with more than two decades of leadership experience in Scouting councils across Kentucky, Maine, Maryland and Indiana. Most recently, he led Scouting efforts in South Bend, where he built strong partnerships with schools, churches and civic organizations.

The Crossroads of America Council oversees Scouting programs for 15,120 youth and 4,100 adult volunteers across 26 counties, from Sullivan to Randolph. Cary succeeds interim CEO Ryan Kitchell and joins the council during a period of organizational transition and cultural evolution.

The council is placing a renewed focus on outreach to diverse communities, including Hispanic and Burmese families, with an emphasis on inclusivity and access to adventure, leadership training, and character development.

As Scouting America continues to evolve, welcoming girls into its programs and officially rebranding from Boy Scouts of America earlier this year, Crossroads of America Council is also adapting to shifting demographics, social expectations and post-pandemic realities. Girls now make up nearly 30% of the Council’s youth participants.

Despite the promise of these efforts, the organization has faced significant challenges. The number of Scouts earning the prestigious Eagle Scout rank dropped 52% from 2017 to 2023, and merit badge completions declined by 27% in that same period. Staffing has also decreased, from 55 to about 33.

To streamline operations, the Council is consolidating its properties to three main facilities: Camp Kikthawenund near Frankton, Ransburg Scout Reservation near Bloomington, and Camp Belzer on Indianapolis’ east side, home to the Skip + Alex Lange Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art facility offering rock climbing, robotics, and indoor archery.

The national Scouting movement has been recovering from a range of pressures, including the pandemic, internal restructuring, and fallout from decades-old abuse scandals. Crossroads of America Council was part of a 2022 settlement, contributing $4.3 million toward a $2.46 billion national fund for survivors.

Still, local leaders remain committed to the mission.

While recent reforms have alienated some long-standing supporters, including faith-based partners such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Council leaders note that same-gender troops remain active, with pilot programs exploring co-ed opportunities.