Celebration of Scouting 2026

2026 Celebration of Scouting Event – One Evening, Three Incredible Experiences

FOS Celebration and Reception | 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Please join us for the FOS Celebration and Reception from 5:30 to 7:30 PM during the Celebration of Scouting event on October 24 at the Santa Clara Marriott. Let’s cap off our 2026 Friends of Scouting campaign on a high note with an evening of celebration, fellowship, and fun!

Replacing our annual FOS Breakfast for 2026, this evening brings our community together in a relaxed setting for inspiring Scouting stories, delicious appetizers, adult beverages, and exciting surprises. If you have already contributed this year, come let us thank you in person. If you have not yet contributed, or traditionally give at the annual breakfast, we invite you to join us. As is tradition, we will include an opportunity to make a financial contribution in support of local youth during the program.

Volunteers, please open this evening to your wider circle. Bring along friends, fellow Scouters, community leaders, champions of youth programs, or anyone interested in experiencing the spirit of Scouting firsthand.

As a thank-you to our donors, if you have given $350 or more to Friends of Scouting this year, or if you give a gift of $350 tonight or upgrade your annual gift to $350 tonight, you will receive a wristband and $50 worth of chips for complimentary access to our Scouter Appreciation and Fun Zone.

Enjoy live music, arcade games, a spooky zone, Bingo, bowling, food, and drinks. The event chips serve as the working currency for the night, so you can use your $50 stack for drawings, games, bowling, and beverages however you like.

Please note that both the reception and the appreciation zone are adult-only events for guests 18 and older, and this is a non-uniformed occasion.

We look forward to celebrating a remarkable year of Friends of Scouting, advancing our shared mission, and enjoying a wonderful evening together!

Distinguished Citizen Reception & Award Presentation | 8:00 – 9:30 pm

This year’s Distinguished Citizen is our 13th Chief Scout Executive (retired) – Mike Surbaugh.

Through his work as Chief Scout, he led the pathway for full inclusion in Scouting for all people which has been a boon for SVMBC. Through these efforts, SVMBC consistently rises to the top nationally as one of the most diverse and welcoming Councils in the nation.

Mike is now an SVMBC Advisory Board member, choosing SVMBC for the great Council we are. Mike could have chosen to serve and support any Council, but he chose us!

Mike comes to visit us many times each year and lends his expertise and knowledge in support of our process of continuing to strive to be the very best Council we can be, in service to our areas young people.

In his service to SVMBC, Mike has pledged $1 Million to our Endowment and is matching any and all Endowment gifts up to $1 Million. He has also been instrumental in helping to secure funding to build the new training center at Chesebrough Scout Reservation and has been and instrumental sounding board to our Interim Scout Executive, Mark McHaddon, as he works to implement a bold new vision for the Council moving forward.

For everything Mike has done for Scouting, and for everything Mike has done to support SVMBC, it is our time to thank him!

Please come join us as we honor our 52nd Distinguished Citizen, Mike Surbaugh.

Scouter Appreciation and Fun Zone | 7:00 – 11:00 pm

If you have given $350 or more to Friends of Scouting in 2026, or anytime up to the event date, we will provide you with chips of $50 value, which will be the working currency at the Appreciation Fun Zone.

Please note: Both events are 18+ and please do not wear your uniform.

Info: Cap off the 2026 Friends of Scouting campaign with Scouting stories, appetizers, adult beverages, and surprises. Replacing our annual FOS Breakfast. All are welcome — bring friends, fellow Scouters, and champions of youth. A chance to support local youth will be part of the program

Info: We honor our 52nd Distinguished Citizen, Mike Surbaugh — retired 13th Chief Scout Executive and SVMBC Advisory Board member. A frequent visitor and generous supporter, Mike has pledged $1 million to our Endowment and is matching all Endowment gifts up to another $1 million. Join us in thanking him.

Info: Give $350+ to Friends of Scouting in 2026 and get $50 in chips to spend on raffles, games, bowling, the spooky zone, and beverages. 18+ · No uniforms.

Event venue & nearby stays

Santa Clara Marriott, 2700 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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