SPEAKERS SPOTLIGHT SCOUTING AMERICA TO LARGEST GROUP IN OVER A DECADE.
On June 11, 125 supporters of scouting filled the Norman McLeod American Legion Post 26 for the 2026 Plant City Soaring Eagle Luncheon, where Scouting America’s Greater Tampa Bay Area Council honored longtime community leader, Gary Pike, for his dedication to Scouting and youth leadership development. Pike is Founder and Chairman of the Friends of the Plant City Police Department Foundation, and numerous positions with organizations and charities including YMCA, Big Brother/Sister, and the Hillsborough County Planning Commission. He leads operations for Consolidated Electrical Distributors in Florida, Georgia, and South Caroline. The event began at 11:30 a.m. and concluded before 1:00 p.m. Outback Steakhouse provided lunch for attendees. The aims of the event were to raise awareness about what scouting does for youth and to raise funds for Scouting America.
Over the history of the annual Soaring Eagle Awards in Plant City, the number of attendees at the event from 1999 to 2013 ranged between 78 and 131 people. Tragically, the local Scouting organizer died, so no Soaring Eagle presentations were held from 2014 to 2018. One event was put together in 2019, but none from 2020 to 2022. The event started again in 2023, and has been held since then.
Former Plant City Mayor Rick Lott served as master of ceremonies and presented Pike with the prestigious Soaring Eagle Award, recognizing his efforts to promote and strengthen scouting throughout the community.
Rachel Bedke, President of the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council Volunteer Board, opened the event by highlighting the mission and impact of Scouting. “We are preparing today’s youth to do their best without fear of failure and become men and women who live, lead, and serve with integrity, confidence, and purpose while having fun as kids with friends and family,” Bedke said.
Bedke noted that more than 12,800 youth participated in Scouting programs across the Greater Tampa Bay region during the past year, supported by more than 4,000 adult volunteers. More than 250 scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout, 12,300 merit badges were awarded, and scouts spent more than 30,000 nights camping while developing leadership and outdoor skills. Scouts also contributed more than 59,000 hours of community service—representing an estimated $1.9 million in community value—and donated more than 33,000 pounds of food to local food banks.
Plant City currently has 223 scouts in three Troops, and three Cub Packs. In the last 11 years, more than 50 Plant City youths have earned the rank of Eagle Scout (the organization’s highest achievement).
Alex Hansen, a Life Scout currently working toward Eagle Scout, spoke to the crowd about how Scouting has helped shape his leadership skills, confidence, and future goals. The program also featured remarks from Eagle Scouts Brandon Snyder and Adam Snyder, now local business leaders. They highlighted the lasting impact Scouting has had on their lives and careers.
State Attorney Suzy Lopez delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of developing young leaders and responsible citizens. Lopez pointed out challenges facing today’s youth and spoke to the value of programs like Scouting America. She noted that the opportunities Scouting provides can have a lasting positive impact on children, especially when parents are actively involved alongside them.
During the presentation of the Soaring Eagle Award, Lott praised Pike’s commitment to Scouting and youth development. “On behalf of the thousands of scouts across the Greater Tampa Bay Area, our volunteers, and the Executive Board, please join me in congratulating Gary Pike as our 2026 Soaring Eagle Award recipient,” Lott said.
In accepting the award, Pike reflected on his personal journey with Scouting America. He acknowledged that several years ago he stepped away from Scouting because of concerns about decisions being made at the national level. However, while helping organize a previous scouting luncheon, he decided to take a closer look at the program and compare what scouts are being taught today with what they were taught more than 100 years ago.
“What I discovered surprised me,” Pike said. “The things that matter have not changed. The Scout Oath has not changed. The Scout Law has not changed. The focus on leadership, character, teamwork, citizenship, responsibility, service, and helping other people has not changed.”
Pike pointed out to attendees that Scouting America is one of the few organizations that intentionally develops future leaders every day. “Not occasionally. Not accidentally. Intentionally,” Pike said. “When I look around this room, I see the evidence. I see Eagle Scouts, community leaders, business leaders, and people who have spent their lives serving others. Leadership is not about position. Leadership is about service.” Pike concluded by encouraging continued investment in young people and the future of Scouting, “Our community is better because of Scouting. America is better with Scouting. The leaders we need tomorrow are being developed today.”
The annual Plant City Soaring Eagle Luncheon serves as both a celebration of community leadership and a fundraiser supporting Scouting programs that continue to develop character, citizenship, leadership, and service among young people throughout the Greater Tampa Bay Area.
