BHP Billiton Partners With Scouts On Supporting Youth Character Development Program

SAN ANTONIO - Dec. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- The Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council and BHP Billiton, a leading global resources company, launch a partnership to support youth character development in areas where they serve.  In LaSalle County, BHP Billiton will be supporting the Learning for Life (LFL) program, a school and work-site based youth character development program that is an affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America.

“Because of the partnership with BHP Billiton, youth in LaSalle County will continue to have a great time learning morals and values through the Learning for Life program,” says Michael de los Santos, Scout Executive, Alamo Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Over 1,390 youth are served in La Salle County by the Learning for Life program, and total LFL membership in 2012 for the Alamo Area Council was 10,547 youth, comprised of over 66 groups. LFL utilizes programs designed for schools and community-based organizations that are designed to prepare youth for the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance their self-confidence, motivation, and careers.  LFL is considered a non-traditional Scouting program in that it does not use the Scout Oath, Scout Law, uniforms or insignia of Scouting.

“I often reflect fondly of my time in the Scouts,” says Tim Cutt, President of BHP Billiton Petroleum & Potash based in Houston, Texas. “BHP Billiton values building relationships in the communities in which we operate, and I look forward to a great working relationship with the Alamo Area Council to have a unified focus on youth.”

“Cotulla I.S.D. appreciates the Boy Scouts and BHP Billiton teaming up to come and assist us as we help our kids.… This is a fantastic opportunity for our kids!” expressed Dr. Jack Seals, Superintendent of Schools, Cotulla I.S.D.  “It takes multiple resources in every place that we can generate to come in to help our students.  Character is something that you can never have enough instruction about, you can never learn enough about, and you can never employ enough of…and, so I very much appreciate BHP Billiton and the Boy Scouts teaming up to bring us this resource…Thank you.”

For more information about the Learning for Life program of the Alamo Area Council, visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/LearningforLife or contact Field Director, Zelenia Alvarez at 210-341-8611 Ext. 129 or by email at zalvarez@bsamail.org.  For more information about BHP Billiton or to learn more about their commitment to the communities in which they operate, visit www.bhpbilliton.com or contact External Affairs Specialist, Thomas Kennelly, at 210-488-7152 or by email at thomas.kennelly@bhpbilliton.com.

About the Alamo Area Council, Boy Scouts of America

The Alamo Area Council, BSA, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, serves a 13 county area imparting the Scouting program to over 28,500 youth and 7,500 volunteer adults in South Texas.  The Boy Scouts of America continue to prepare young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training utilizing outdoor activity, citizenship, and sports fitness.  For more information on the Alamo Area BSA, please visit http://www.AlamoAreaBSA.org.

About BHP Billiton

BHP Billiton is a leading global resources company in which sustainable development is a key priority. We are committed to health, safety, the environment and the communities in which we operate. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on its website: www.bhpbilliton.com.