By Ruth SOWBY

The Verdugo Hills Council of Scouting America hosted its 2026 Community Impact Breakfast on Thursday, May 28 at the Glen Arden Club in Glendale. Emcee David Ono, ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor, opened the program by interviewing 15-year-old Scout Anthony Burke. Anthony, a Burbank resident, is in Troops 201 and 209. His goal is to become an Eagle Scout.  

“Then I want to go to the Merchant Marine Academy,” he said. Looking on were proud mom Diane Burke and granddad Leo Mariani.

Verdugo Hills Council President Craig Harris took to the podium.

“This is the 104^th year of the Verdugo Hills Council,” said Harris. He added that “83 new Scouts” have joined this year.  

“The Verdugo Hills Council is 20^th in the country in Girl Scout membership,” he said. 

After the breakfast buffet, Ono introduced keynote speaker Mike Libecki. Libecki is a National Geographic explorer, filmmaker and conservationist. He has led over 90 expeditions. During his presentation he showed videos of photos of some of those trips.  

“I have a healthy obsession to addiction to adventure,” Libecki said.  

He’s led 14 expeditions to Greenland, a favorite environment of his. Libecki’s dramatic photographs of polar bears can often be seen in National Geographic. On a low note he said, “500 to 600 polar bears are shot every year.”  

Scouting programs help more than 1,300 young people in the Verdugo Hills region. According to Acting Scout Executive Amy Taylor, “This annual breakfast allows attendees to learn more about Scouting’s impact and how community support helps expand opportunities for local youth.”