On Saturday, January 24th, Dan Beard Council proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Dever Family Foundation Skilled Trades Education Center at Camp Friedlander in Miami Twp., Ohio marking a milestone moment that will shape the future of hands-on learning and workforce development for Scouts and families across our community.

With more than 250 guests in attendance, the day was full of excitement, energy, and meaningful connection. We were honored to welcome the Dever Family and a host of other supporters whose generosity and commitment to youth development helped make this dream a reality. Their support is creating opportunities for young people to explore career pathways, build confidence, and develop real-world skills that will last a lifetime.

The celebration also included special recognition from community leaders, including Congressman Davide Taylor of Ohio, who joined us to help commemorate the opening and highlight the importance of skilled trades education for the next generation.

A Day of Learning, Doing, and Discovering

In addition to the grand opening ceremony, the weekend marked an exciting first: the first-ever Skilled Trades Merit Badge Day at the new center. More than 70 Scouts participated, gaining hands-on exposure to the kinds of skills and careers that keep our communities moving forward.

Throughout the day, Scouts rotated through interactive experiences in several bays, including:

• Automotive maintenance in the Performance Automotive Tech Academy Bay

• Carpentry in the Formica Corporation Carpentry Bay

• Robotics in the Interlink Cloud Advisors Robotics Bay

• Welding and plumbing, giving Scouts additional opportunities to try new tools and techniques

From turning wrenches and changing tires to building with wood and welding metal, and from robotics exploration to learning how systems connect and function, Scouts weren’t just watching—they were doing. Each bay provided a safe, supportive space for Scouts to learn by experience, ask questions, and discover new interests.

Building a Stronger Future—One Skill at a Time

The Dever Family Foundation Skilled Trades Education Center represents more than a new building. It represents an investment in young people and the future of skilled work in our region. This space will serve as a year-round hub for programs that connect Scouting values with practical skills: leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance.

We are grateful to every supporter, volunteer, and community partner who helped make the opening day such a success—and we can’t wait to see what Scouts will accomplish inside these walls in the months and years to come.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on January 24th to celebrate the launch of something truly special.