Week 2: Friends of Scouting kickoff breakfast

Who is Skip Yowell, the co-founder of JanSport? The history of JanSport or general promotions. From a small-town in Kansas, Skip Yowell took a journey to Seattle. It led him to the top of the outdoor industry and around the world. Yowell helped build one of the most recognized brand names, JanSport, sponsoring climbing expeditions, outdoor programs and recreating in Bhutan, Kenya, Mount Everest and other far-flung places.

In 1967, Yowell, his cousin Murray Pletz, and Murray's wife, Jan, founded JanSport with a determination to make the best and most dependable product on the market. Forty years later, Yowell has a book. He gives speeches and presentations that tell the story of the adventures, expeditions and people. His images, words and stories offer a behind-the-scenes look at his motivation and inspiration.

The company now is based in San Leandro, Calif., at VF Outdoors headquarters, where it shares offices with divisional siblings Napapijri and North Face. JanSport is the world's largest backpack maker, and together, JanSport and the North Face sell nearly half of all small backpacks sold in the United States.

* The free breakfast event will be from 6:45 to 8 a.m. Feb. 18 in the Ballroom in the Fort Hays State University Memorial Union. Reservations can be made to Carol Harfmann, council president, 2760 Thunderbird Dr., Hays, KS 67601 by Feb. 12, or call (785) 625-7675 or e-mail to charfmann@sbcglobal.net