Organizational relationship
Three things, clearly separated.
People often assume that because adults from a particular profession volunteer with a youth program, the program belongs to their employer. That is not how this works, and the distinction matters enough that we explain it plainly rather than leaving it to be guessed at.
Funds it — equipment, travel, instruction
Mentor it — instruction, guidance, career exposure
These two have no relationship with each other. Both independently support the same youth program.
The nonprofit
McAllen Explorer Post 1924 is a Texas nonprofit corporation recognised as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). It has a board, its own bank accounts, its own books, and its own legal obligations. Its sole function is to raise and manage private charitable support for the youth program.
It receives no government funding. It does not act for, report to, or answer to any government agency.
The youth program
The Explorer post is a youth program participating in Exploring, a career-exploration program of Scouting America. That framework provides the program structure and the youth-protection requirements the post operates under.
Scouting America does not conduct this organization’s fundraising and is not responsible for its finances. Official youth registration happens through Scouting’s own processes, not through this website.
The adult volunteers
Adults who mentor and instruct do so as volunteers, in their personal capacity, on their own time. Some of them work in public service professions, which is part of what makes a career-exploration program possible. They are not acting for their employers when they volunteer here.
What this organization is not
- Not a federal, state or local government agency
- Not a law enforcement agency, and holding no law enforcement authority
- Not operated, sponsored, endorsed or funded by any government agency
- Not Scouting America, and not the Rio Grande Council
Donations to this organization are not donations to the United States Government. They are contributions to a private charitable organization, deductible to the extent allowed by law.