The Scouting Office of UM Men is cooperating with the Association of Baptists for Scouting, members of Churches of Christ for Scouting, the Catholic Committee for Scouting, and the National Lutheran Association on Scouting to produce and distribute 20,000 copies of the New Testaments for Scouts at four high-adventure sites.

The BSA Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico will receive 11,000 copies. The Northern Tier High Adventure Centers in Minnesota will receive 2,000. The BSA Florida Sea Base will receive 5,000, and the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Tennessee will receive 3,000 copies of the New Revised Standard Version.

The books will be given out to Scouts at base camps prior to their departure for hiking, canoeing or boating adventures.

Usually chaplains distribute the books at worship services at base camps.

Larry Coppock, top scouting executive for the General Commission on UM Men, celebrated this first-time cooperative effort. “While sometimes it is challenging for faith groups with very diverse teachings to work together, the Boy Scouts of America through its Religious Relationships Committee, offers a unique venue for collaboration and partnership,” said Coppock. “The high adventure New Testaments are a testament to the servant leadership of the members of this committee to share the Good News.”