Our Districts

Serving Youth on both sides of the Mississippi River in Illinois and Iowa. The 13-county territory of the Illowa Council includes part of Bureau, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark, and Warren counties in Illinois and part of Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, Muscatine, and Scott counties in Iowa.

The Illowa Council is separated into districts/divisions to deliver Scouting in our various geographic areas, including the Exploring program. Each district is led by a team of volunteers with the help of one full-time staff member (District Executive). The District exists to work through chartered organizations and community groups to organize and support successful Scouting units. A Scouting district is a geographical area of the BSA local council which is determined by the council executive board. District leaders mobilize to ensure the growth and success of Scouting units within the district’s territory by carrying our four standard functions:

1. Membership – striving for growth through the organization of new Scouting units, through new members and adult volunteers joining existing units, and through the retention of current members
2. Fund Development – sees that the district provides its share of fund to the total operating budget
3. Program – helping Scouting units with camp promotion, special activities including community service, training, adult volunteers, and youth advancement and recognition
4. Unit Service – provide direct coaching and consultation for unit volunteers to help ensure the success of every Scouting unit.

The membership, fund development, and program functions are carried out by members of the district committee. The unit service function is carried out by the district commissioner staff.

The map below shows the areas of the five Districts of the Illowa Council.