Welcome to the Gulf Coast Council
The Gulf Coast Council serves the youth of eleven counties in Florida and Alabama.
Our Mission
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Scout Oath
“On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
Volunteer Spotlight
Chris Oswald
I Started Cub Scouts in Gainesville FL in 1974. I then moved to Marianna, FL in 1977 and was invited to join Troop 170 (Earnest Duffy and Bill Kleinhans Scoutmasters) by my friend Al. I survived summer camp at Alaflo, learned my knots and became a master egg scrambler. I progressed to Star in about 1983, was Tapped out for OA, completed ordeal and joined Cowikee lodge.
Years passed… When my son was old enough to join Cubs, we joined Pack 321 in Lynn Haven, FL. There I served as Tiger leader and then eventually Cubmaster. During this time,I earned the Unit Leader of Merit award, transferred my OA membership to Yustaga Lodge and complete the brotherhood honor. We then moved to Troop 321 where I served as COR, Committee Chair, and Treasurer.
After staffing the 2013 National Scout Jamboree (taught Electronic and Electricity Merit Badges), I took the role of Scoutmaster of Troop 321. In this role, I’ve hiked Philmont Scout Ranch (with my friend Al), completed Woodbadge, served as Scout Master for the 2017 National Jamboree Troop 4202, produced about 18 Eagle Scouts (including my son), kept the unit going through the aftermath of hurricane Michael, and kept the unit going throughout the global pandemic. In 2022, I stepped down from Scoutmaster and got involved with the Lake Sands District nominating committee, I currently serve as the Lake Sands District Commissioner. I completed Woodbadge in 2015 and have served on staff twice.
Professionally, I’m an electrical, electronics, systems engineer for SAIC. I also play bass in two bands, Arcade Sounds and Loud Planet.
Pensacola Bay District
Escambia and Santa Rosa
Choctawhatchee District
Okaloosa and Walton
Lake Sands District
Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Washington
Long Leaf Pine
Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe