State Representative Tim Barhorst spoke to community leaders Thursday afternoon at the Scouting America Tecumseh Council luncheon at Brown Ridge Hall in Urbana, focusing on several key issues affecting the region.
Barhorst, who represents Ohio’s 85th House District—including Champaign, Shelby, and southern Logan counties—discussed topics such as property taxes, economic development, and the growing presence of data centers. He also stressed the importance of investing in local youth programs, pointing to scouting as a strong example of leadership development in the community.
The Tecumseh Council continues to see steady growth, serving about 4,000 families across five counties with more than 600 adult volunteers. In 2025, the council saw 46 scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout—an 18 percent increase from the previous year—while 40 youth completed National Youth Leadership Training, the highest level of leadership training offered at the local level.
Outdoor experiences remain a major part of the program, with more than 33,000 nights of camping recorded at Camp Hugh Taylor Birch in Yellow Springs.
Locally, the council includes more than 1,100 youth members across Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Exploring programs, all aimed at preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices guided by the Scout Oath and Law.
