FORT WAYNE — The Lincolnway District of the Anthony Wayne Area Council Boy Scouts of America has been awarded a gold rating in the BSA’s “Journey to Excellence.” Lincolnway District serves 43 scouting units in Kosciusko and Whitley counties.

The Journey to Excellence award recognizes achievement in five separate categories of district operation including; membership growth, program, unit service, financial stewardship and leadership training. A gold rating is the highest achievement available.

District Chairperson Lisa Porter stated that the district’s strong program resulted in a significant increase in scouting membership in 2015. “We saw a 6.2 percent increase in registered members last year,” Porter said. “Fall recruiting was up by 20 percent.”

The large growth in membership was seen in both Kosciusko and Whitley County and included the organization of new cub scout packs in Claypool and in Churubusco.“Our mission is to make sure there is a good quality scouting program available to every boy. Organizing new units is one way we do that,” said Porter.

Scouts from both counties all gather Feb. 6 at Morshes Park in Columbia City for the annual “Klondike Derby” winter camping weekend.

For more information about scouting in Kosciusko and Whitley Counties go www.awac.org or Lincolnway District BSA on Facebook.