LOVELAND, Ohio (WKRC) – The Dan Beard Council, part of Scouting America, reached an important landmark on Thursday as they held the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new $2.5 million Dever Family Foundation Skilled Trades Education Center located at Camp Friedlander. More than 250 attendees were present at this celebration for the future 10,000-square-foot center aimed at equipping young individuals with skills necessary for careers in trade professions.
The hub will offer practical instruction in areas like auto repair, metalwork, woodworking, pipefitting, electrical work, and robotics. Its objective is to close the gap between learning and the increasing requirement for proficient workers by combining Scouting values with real-world skills training. This setup will cater to both Boy Scouts and local young people, giving them chances to discover and follow career paths in various trades.
The project has received substantial community support, including a $750,000 contribution from the Dever Family Foundation and Performance Automotive Network, securing naming rights for the center.
Construction is expected to be completed by November 2025, with programs launching shortly thereafter. The center aims to serve approximately 500 Scouts annually, offering around ten hours of hands-on training per selected merit badge during their week at summer camp.
