Scouting in Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Scouting in Pennsylvania has a long and rich tradition, from 1908 to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.
The first council in Pennsylvania was the Delaware & Montgomery County Council in 1911. This council eventually became the former Valley Forge Council, now part of the Cradle of Liberty Council.
Sixteen councils were chartered in America between 1910 and 1913. The seventeenth was the Warren County Council headquartered in Warren
, Pennsylvania
. This Council later changed its name to Chief Cornplanter Council and is still in operation. It is currently the oldest existing, continuously registered council in America. The other preceding 16 councils either went out of business or merged with another Council at some point in their history. The information for this paragraph was provided by the Registration Department of the National Office of the BSA, Irving, TX in October 2007.
Also in 1913, the Philadelphia Council opened the first American scout camp, Treasure Island Scout Reservation
, near Point Pleasant
, Pennsylvania
. Two years later, Dr. E. Urner Goodman
and Carrol Edson founded the Order of the Arrow, which inducted its first members on July 16, 1915 at Treasure Island.
In 1914, the Allegheny County Council, forerunner of today's Greater Pittsburgh Council, was chartered. Also in 1914, the Philadelphia council
was chartered.
In 1915 charters were first granted to the councils headquartered in Erie
, Wilkes-Barre, and Oil City
, Pennsylvania
.
In 1916, councils were chartered in Reading
, Lancaster
, Harrisburg, and Scranton, among others. The Council in Harrisburg is now part of New Birth of Freedom Council.
In 1917 Meadville
, State College and Bethlehem
were granted charters by the National Office, along with nine other councils.
1919 saw the councils in Williamsport
, Altoona
and Chester County formed. Like Chief Cornplanter, the Chester County
Council is still in operation today and they represent only a handful of small one-county councils left in America. The other one in PA, Bucks County Council, received its first charter in 1927.
By 1920, forty-six Councils had been chartered in Pennsylvania. Most of these were small Councils no larger than the town they were named after. Some of these were known as "Second Class Councils".
In the following years, other currently chartered councils were started: Juniata Valley in 1929; Bucktail in 1930; Columbia-Montour and Schuylkill County Area in 1931; and York-Adams in 1932.
1937 saw the formation of the current Westmoreland-Fayette Council in Greensburg
.
All other current Councils in Pennsylvania are the result of mergers which began to occur in the 1960s through present day.
1941 saw the creation of Camp Ockanickon, in Bucks County Council.
Among the claimants for First Boy Scout Troop in the United States
is Troop 1 in Bala Cynwyd
, Pennsylvania
.
Pennsylvania is also home to the oldest annual Scouting event in the nation, the Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment
.
In 1928, Eagle Scout (and Erie native) Paul Siple was one of the first Scouts to travel to Antarctica with Admiral Richard Byrd
. Byrd had held a national contest to invite worthy Eagle Scouts along with the expedition. Paul Siple later went on to develop what is now known as the "Wind Chill Factor"
The 1921 and 1931 National Order of the Arrow Lodge Meetings were held at Philadelphia, the 1922 and 1927 National Lodge Meetings were held at Reading
, Pennsylvania
, and the 1940 National Lodge Meeting was held at Ligonier
, Pennsylvania
.
The 1950 National Scout Jamboree
was held at Valley Forge
, Pennsylvania
.
Beginning in 1962, the Mid-Valley Council, headquartered in Peckville merged with the former Dan Beard
Council in Scranton to form the Forest Lakes Council. Meanwhile, in 1970, the former Anthracite Council (Hazleton
) merged with the former Wyoming Valley
Council (Wilkes-Barre) to form the Penn Mountains Council. In 1984, the area comprising the former Anthracite Council removed itself from the Penn Mountains Council and joined neighboring Minsi Trails Council. Forest Lakes Council and Penn Mountains Council merged in 1990 to form the current Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, in Moosic, PA.
In 1967, the former Nemacolin Trails Council in Washington, PA
merged with the Allegheny Council in Pittsburgh to become the former Allegheny Trails Council. This Council merged again in 1993 with East Valley Council to become the current Greater Pittsburgh Council.
In 1969, the Lehigh County Council (Allentown
), Bethlehem Area Council (Bethlehem) and Delaware Valley Area Council (Easton
) merged to form the current Minsi Trails Council in Allentown.
In 1970, the former Appalachian Trail
Council and Daniel Boone
Council merged to form the current Hawk Mountain Council in Reading. 1970 also saw the merger of Blair-Bedford Area Council (Altoona), William Penn
Council (Indiana, PA
) and Admiral Robert E. Peary Council (Johnstown
, Pennsylvania
) into the current Penns Woods Council in Ebensburg.
In 1971, the Lancaster County
Council and Lebanon County Councils merged to form the Lancaster-Lebanon Council. This Council changed its name in 1995 to Pennsylvania Dutch
Council and is headquartered in Lancaster, PA.
In 1972, the Washington Trail Council (Erie), Colonel Drake Council (Oil City) and Custaloga
Council (Sharon
) merged to form the current French Creek
Council, headquartered in Erie.
1973 saw the merger of the former Lawrence County
Council (New Castle
) with the former Pioneer Trails Council (Butler, PA
), forming the current Moraine Trails Council. Host to two National Jamborees (see below).
Also in 1973, the former Elk Lick Council, in Bradford, PA merged into Allegheny Highlands Council headquartered in Falconer, NY
In 1974, the former West Branch Council (Williamsport) and Susquehanna Valley Area Council (Sunbury
) merged to form the current Susquehanna Council in Williamsport.
Other notable happenings in Pennsylvania Scouting at this time include:
The 1957 and 1964 National Scout Jamborees were held at Valley Forge
, Pennsylvania
.
Half of the 1973 National Scout Jamboree
(Jamboree East) was held at Moraine State Park
in Pennsylvania, where the 1977 National Scout Jamboree and Campaganza 2010 were also held.
During 1975 and 1976, Scouts in the Philadelphia area could earn a Colonial Philadelphia merit badge. It could only be counted towards palms, not any rank, and came in a green border and a very yellow-green border. This was the only time BSA National approved a regional merit badge for any such use.
.
Another Part of the Museum is located at the Miquon location (Shelley Ridge)
Each year a gathering of collectors come to Valley Forge and buy, sell, and SWAP items for each others collections
Early history (1908-1950)
Scouting in Pennsylvania began in 1908 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, when a Superintendent with the Pennsylvania State Police, Lynn G. Adams, formed a troop using Baden-Powell's handbook, Scouting for Boys. The troop was made up of two patrols, one sponsored by the Pottsville Mission and the other by the YMCA. Adams became the first Scoutmaster in Pennsylvania in 1910 soon after the BSA was incorporated.The first council in Pennsylvania was the Delaware & Montgomery County Council in 1911. This council eventually became the former Valley Forge Council, now part of the Cradle of Liberty Council.
Warren, Pennsylvania
Warren is a city in Warren County, Pennsylvania, United States, located along the Allegheny River. The population was 9,710 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Warren County. It is home to the headquarters of the Allegheny National Forest and the Cornplanter State Forest...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. This Council later changed its name to Chief Cornplanter Council and is still in operation. It is currently the oldest existing, continuously registered council in America. The other preceding 16 councils either went out of business or merged with another Council at some point in their history. The information for this paragraph was provided by the Registration Department of the National Office of the BSA, Irving, TX in October 2007.
Also in 1913, the Philadelphia Council opened the first American scout camp, Treasure Island Scout Reservation
Treasure Island (Scout reservation)
Treasure Island is a Boy Scout property located between Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania and Frenchtown, New Jersey, United States. The property is situated on two islands in the middle of the Delaware River and owned by the Cradle of Liberty Council...
, near Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Point Pleasant is an unincorporated community in Tinicum and Plumstead Townships of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies on both sides of Tohickon Creek by the creek's confluence with the Delaware River; the creek is the dividing line between the townships...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Two years later, Dr. E. Urner Goodman
E. Urner Goodman
Edward Urner Goodman was an influential leader in the Boy Scouts of America movement for much of the twentieth century. Goodman was the national program director from 1931 until 1951, during the organization's formative years of significant growth when the Cub Scouting and Exploring programs were...
and Carrol Edson founded the Order of the Arrow, which inducted its first members on July 16, 1915 at Treasure Island.
In 1914, the Allegheny County Council, forerunner of today's Greater Pittsburgh Council, was chartered. Also in 1914, the Philadelphia council
Cradle of Liberty Council
The Cradle of Liberty Council is a Boy Scouts of America council created in 1996 with the merger of the former Philadelphia Council and the former Valley Forge Council .-History:The present council is the result of the 1996 merger of Philadelphia and Valley Forge councils...
was chartered.
In 1915 charters were first granted to the councils headquartered in Erie
Erie
Erie is a city in Pennsylvania, United States.Erie may also refer to:*Erie , a tribe of Native Americans-Places:*Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes of North America*Erie Canal, a canal running from the Hudson River to Lake Erie...
, Wilkes-Barre, and Oil City
Oil City, Pennsylvania
Oil City is a city in Venango County, Pennsylvania that is known in the initial exploration and development of the petroleum industry. After the first oil wells were drilled nearby in the 1850s, Oil City became central in the petroleum industry while hosting headquarters for the Pennzoil, Quaker...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
In 1916, councils were chartered in Reading
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
, Lancaster
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
, Harrisburg, and Scranton, among others. The Council in Harrisburg is now part of New Birth of Freedom Council.
In 1917 Meadville
Meadville
Meadville refers to places in the United States of America:*Meadville, Missouri*Meadville, Mississippi*Meadville, Pennsylvania...
, State College and Bethlehem
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
were granted charters by the National Office, along with nine other councils.
1919 saw the councils in Williamsport
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
, Altoona
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
and Chester County formed. Like Chief Cornplanter, the Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
Council is still in operation today and they represent only a handful of small one-county councils left in America. The other one in PA, Bucks County Council, received its first charter in 1927.
By 1920, forty-six Councils had been chartered in Pennsylvania. Most of these were small Councils no larger than the town they were named after. Some of these were known as "Second Class Councils".
In the following years, other currently chartered councils were started: Juniata Valley in 1929; Bucktail in 1930; Columbia-Montour and Schuylkill County Area in 1931; and York-Adams in 1932.
1937 saw the formation of the current Westmoreland-Fayette Council in Greensburg
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Greensburg is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, and a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The city is named after Nathanael Greene, a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War...
.
All other current Councils in Pennsylvania are the result of mergers which began to occur in the 1960s through present day.
1941 saw the creation of Camp Ockanickon, in Bucks County Council.
Among the claimants for First Boy Scout Troop in the United States
Oldest Scout Groups
Many Scout Groups claim the title of Oldest Scout Group in their respective countries.Due to the rapid growth of Scouting, it took some time for central organisations to be established, and the earliest groups were only registered some time after their first meeting...
is Troop 1 in Bala Cynwyd
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
Bala Cynwyd is a community in Lower Merion Township which is located on the Main Line in southeastern Pennsylvania, bordering the western edge of Philadelphia at US Route 1 . It was originally two separate towns, Bala and Cynwyd, but is commonly treated as a single community...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Pennsylvania is also home to the oldest annual Scouting event in the nation, the Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment
Valley Forge Pilgrimage
The Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment is the oldest annual Scouting event in the World. It was first held on February 22, 1913 , and has been held every year since. The event is hosted by the Cradle of Liberty Council and commemorates the soldiers of the Continental Army who braved the winter...
.
In 1928, Eagle Scout (and Erie native) Paul Siple was one of the first Scouts to travel to Antarctica with Admiral Richard Byrd
Richard Evelyn Byrd
Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, Jr., USN was a naval officer who specialized in feats of exploration. He was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics...
. Byrd had held a national contest to invite worthy Eagle Scouts along with the expedition. Paul Siple later went on to develop what is now known as the "Wind Chill Factor"
The 1921 and 1931 National Order of the Arrow Lodge Meetings were held at Philadelphia, the 1922 and 1927 National Lodge Meetings were held at Reading
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and the 1940 National Lodge Meeting was held at Ligonier
Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Ligonier is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,695 at the 2000 census. Ligonier was settled in the 1760s. The borough is well known for nearby Idlewild Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, and nearby Seven Springs Mountain Resort...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
The 1950 National Scout Jamboree
National Scout jamboree (Boy Scouts of America)
The national Scout jamboree is a gathering, or jamboree of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Referred to as "the Jamboree", "Jambo", or NSJ, Scouts from all over the nation and world...
was held at Valley Forge
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
The Village of Valley Forge is an unincorporated settlement located on the west side of Valley Forge National Historical Park at the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania, United States. The remaining village is in Schuylkill Township of Chester County, but once...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Recent history (1950-1990)
Outside of the few small Councils mentioned above, the history of Pennsylvania Councils over the past 50 years has been one of mergers.Beginning in 1962, the Mid-Valley Council, headquartered in Peckville merged with the former Dan Beard
Daniel Carter Beard
Daniel Carter "Uncle Dan" Beard was an American illustrator, author, youth leader, and social reformer who founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905, which Beard later merged with the Boy Scouts of America .-Early life:...
Council in Scranton to form the Forest Lakes Council. Meanwhile, in 1970, the former Anthracite Council (Hazleton
Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Hazleton is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census, an increase of 8.6% from the 2000 census count .-Greater Hazleton:...
) merged with the former Wyoming Valley
Wyoming Valley
Wyoming Valley is a region of northeastern Pennsylvania. As a metropolitan area, it is also known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, after its principal cities, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre....
Council (Wilkes-Barre) to form the Penn Mountains Council. In 1984, the area comprising the former Anthracite Council removed itself from the Penn Mountains Council and joined neighboring Minsi Trails Council. Forest Lakes Council and Penn Mountains Council merged in 1990 to form the current Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, in Moosic, PA.
In 1967, the former Nemacolin Trails Council in Washington, PA
Washington, Pennsylvania
Washington is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Pittsburgh Metro Area in the southwestern part of the state...
merged with the Allegheny Council in Pittsburgh to become the former Allegheny Trails Council. This Council merged again in 1993 with East Valley Council to become the current Greater Pittsburgh Council.
In 1969, the Lehigh County Council (Allentown
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
), Bethlehem Area Council (Bethlehem) and Delaware Valley Area Council (Easton
Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton is a city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,800 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Northampton County....
) merged to form the current Minsi Trails Council in Allentown.
In 1970, the former Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
Council and Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
Council merged to form the current Hawk Mountain Council in Reading. 1970 also saw the merger of Blair-Bedford Area Council (Altoona), William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
Council (Indiana, PA
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Indiana is a borough in and the county seat of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,895 at the 2000 census.The borough and the region as a whole promotes itself as the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World" because the national Christmas Tree Grower's Association was...
) and Admiral Robert E. Peary Council (Johnstown
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
) into the current Penns Woods Council in Ebensburg.
In 1971, the Lancaster County
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
Council and Lebanon County Councils merged to form the Lancaster-Lebanon Council. This Council changed its name in 1995 to Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutch refers to immigrants and their descendants from southwestern Germany and Switzerland who settled in Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries...
Council and is headquartered in Lancaster, PA.
In 1972, the Washington Trail Council (Erie), Colonel Drake Council (Oil City) and Custaloga
Custaloga
Custaloga or Packanke was a member of the Wolf Clan of the Delaware tribe. Captain Pipe was his nephew.-Biography:Little is known of the early life of Custaloga. He arrived in western Pennsylvania in the mid 18th century and built a sizeable village at the confluence of French Creek and North Deer...
Council (Sharon
Sharon, Pennsylvania
Sharon is a city in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in the United States, northwest of Pittsburgh. It is part of the Youngstown–Warren–Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
) merged to form the current French Creek
French Creek (Allegheny River)
French Creek is a tributary of the Allegheny River in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York in the United States.- Etymology :...
Council, headquartered in Erie.
1973 saw the merger of the former Lawrence County
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 91,108. The county was added to the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area in 2003. The county seat is New Castle....
Council (New Castle
New Castle, Pennsylvania
New Castle is a city in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States, northwest of Pittsburgh and near the Pennsylvania-Ohio border just east of Youngstown, Ohio; in 1910, the total population was 36,280; in 1920, 44,938; and in 1940, 47,638. The population has fallen to 26,309 according to the...
) with the former Pioneer Trails Council (Butler, PA
Butler, Pennsylvania
The city of Butler is the county seat of Butler County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, situated north of Pittsburgh. The population was 15,121 at the 2000 census.- History :...
), forming the current Moraine Trails Council. Host to two National Jamborees (see below).
Also in 1973, the former Elk Lick Council, in Bradford, PA merged into Allegheny Highlands Council headquartered in Falconer, NY
In 1974, the former West Branch Council (Williamsport) and Susquehanna Valley Area Council (Sunbury
Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Sunbury is a city in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, just downstream of the confluence of its main and West branches. The population was 9,905 at the 2010 census...
) merged to form the current Susquehanna Council in Williamsport.
Other notable happenings in Pennsylvania Scouting at this time include:
The 1957 and 1964 National Scout Jamborees were held at Valley Forge
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
The Village of Valley Forge is an unincorporated settlement located on the west side of Valley Forge National Historical Park at the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania, United States. The remaining village is in Schuylkill Township of Chester County, but once...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Half of the 1973 National Scout Jamboree
National Scout jamboree (Boy Scouts of America)
The national Scout jamboree is a gathering, or jamboree of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Referred to as "the Jamboree", "Jambo", or NSJ, Scouts from all over the nation and world...
(Jamboree East) was held at Moraine State Park
Moraine State Park
Moraine State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Brady, Clay, Franklin, Muddy Creek, and Worth townships in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The main feature of the park is its man-made lake, Lake Arthur, formed by impounding Muddy Creek, which is and is used for...
in Pennsylvania, where the 1977 National Scout Jamboree and Campaganza 2010 were also held.
During 1975 and 1976, Scouts in the Philadelphia area could earn a Colonial Philadelphia merit badge. It could only be counted towards palms, not any rank, and came in a green border and a very yellow-green border. This was the only time BSA National approved a regional merit badge for any such use.
Juniata Valley Council
| Council number: | 497 |
| Council headquarters: | Reedsville, PA |
| Scout executive: | James Kennedy |
| Camps & properties: | Seven Mountains Scout Camp |
| Order of the Arrow: | Monaken Lodge |
| Official website: | www.jvcbsa.org |
Moraine Trails Council
| Council number: | 500 |
| Council headquarters: | Butler, PA |
| Scout executive: | Ray Tennent |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Agawam Camp Bucoco |
| Order of the Arrow: | Kuskitannee Lodge #168 |
| Official website: | www.doubleknot.com |
Northeastern Pennsylvania Council
| Council number: | 501 |
| Council headquarters: | Moosic, PA |
| Scout executive: | Marcel Cinquina |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Acahela (Blakeslee, PA) Goose Pond Scout Reservation (Lake Ariel, PA) |
| Order of the Arrow: | Lowwapaneu Lodge |
| Official website: | www.nepabsa.org |
Minsi Trails Council
| Council number: | 502 |
| Council headquarters: | Lehigh Valley, PA Lehigh Valley The Lehigh Valley, known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area and referred to locally as The Valley and A-B-E, is a metropolitan region consisting of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania and... |
| Scout executive: | Craig Poland |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Minsi (Pocono Summit, PA) Trexler Scout Reservation (Kunkletown, PA) |
| Order of the Arrow: | Witauchsoman Lodge #44 |
| Official website: | www.minsitrails.com |
Columbia-Montour Council
| Council number: | 504 |
| Council headquarters: | Bloomsburg, PA |
| Scout executive: | Paul Knox |
| Camps & properties: | Lavigne Road (Benton, PA) |
| Order of the Arrow: | Wyona Lodge #18 |
| Official website: | www.columbiamontourbsa.org |
Bucktail Council
| Council number: | 509 |
| Council headquarters: | DuBois, PA |
| Scout executive: | Gregg Bennett |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Mountain Run |
| Order of the Arrow: | Ah'Tic Lodge #139 |
| Official website: | www.bucktail.org |
Westmoreland-Fayette Council
| Council number: | 512 |
| Council headquarters: | Greensburg, PA |
| Scout executive: | Martin Barbie |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Conestoga Camp Buck Run |
| Order of the Arrow: | Wagion Lodge #6 |
| Official website: | www.wfbsa.org |
New Birth of Freedom Council
| Council number: | 544 |
| Council headquarters: | Mechanicsburg, PA |
| Scout executive: | Ronald Gardner |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Conewago (New Oxford, PA) Camp Tuckahoe (Dillsburg, PA) Hidden Valley Scout Reservation (Loysville, PA) Wizard Ranch (Hallam, PA) |
| Order of the Arrow: | Sasquesahanough Lodge |
| Official website: | www.newbirthoffreedom.org |
Pennsylvania Dutch Council
| Council number: | 524 |
| Council headquarters: | Lancaster, PA |
| Scout executive: | Edward Rasmuson |
| Camps & properties: | Bashore Scout Reservation J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation |
| Order of the Arrow: | Wunita Gokhos Lodge #39 |
| Official website: | www.padutchbsa.org |
Cradle of Liberty Council
| Council number: | 525 |
| Council headquarters: | Philadelphia, PA |
| Scout executive: | Thomas Harrington |
| Camps & properties: | Resica Falls Scout Reservation Resica Falls Scout Reservation Resica Falls Scout Reservation is a camp in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania operated by the Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The reservation is part of a conservation easement with the Natural Lands Trust.... (East Stroudsburg, PA) Musser Scout Reservation Musser Scout Reservation Musser Scout Reservation is a Boy Scout camp located along the Unami Creek on over of Marlborough Township, Pennsylvania. The Reservation is made up of three distinct camps: Camp Delmont, Camp Hart, and Camp Garrison. The reservation is part of the largest contiguous forest in Southeastern... (Marlborough Township) Treasure Island Scout Reservation (closed) |
| Order of the Arrow: | Unami Lodge #1 |
| Official website: | www.colbsa.org |
Laurel Highlands Council
Penn's Woods Council and Greater Pittsburgh Council merged on July 1, 2011 to form Laurel Highlands Council.| Council number: | 527 |
| Council headquarters: | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Scout executive: | Mike Surbaugh |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Anawanna Camp Anderson Camp Baker Camp Guyasuta Camp Joseph Camp Seph Mack Camp Twin Echo Heritage Scout Reservation Putt's Camp |
| Order of the Arrow: | Allohak Menewi |
| Official website: | www.lhc-bsa.org |
Hawk Mountain Council
| Council number: | 528 |
| Council headquarters: | Reading, PA |
| Scout executive: | Daniel Adams |
| Camps & properties: | Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation |
| Order of the Arrow: | Kittatinny Lodge #5 |
| Official website: | www.hmc-bsa.org |
French Creek Council
| Council number: | 532 |
| Council headquarters: | Erie, PA |
| Scout executive: | Duane Havard |
| Camps & properties: | Custaloga Town Scout Reservation |
| Order of the Arrow: | Langundowi Lodge #46 |
| Official website: | www.frenchcreek-bsa.org |
Susquehanna Council
| Council number: | 533 |
| Council headquarters: | Williamsport, PA |
| Scout executive: | Jon Brennan |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Karoondinha (Glen Iron, PA) |
| Order of the Arrow: | Woapeu Sisilija Lodge #343 |
| Official website: | www.susquehannabsa.org/ |
Chief Cornplanter Council
| Council number: | 538 |
| Council headquarters: | Warren, PA |
| Scout executive: | Kevin Bonner |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Olmsted |
| Order of the Arrow: | Gyantwachia Lodge #255 |
| Official website: | www.cccbsa.com |
Chester County Council
| Council number: | 539 |
| Council headquarters: | West Chester, PA |
| Scout executive: | Eric Magendantz |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Ware (Peach Bottom, PA) Camp Horseshoe (Rising Sun, MD) |
| Order of the Arrow: | Octoraro Lodge #22 |
| Official website: | www.cccbsa.org |
Bucks County Council
| Council number: | 777 |
| Council headquarters: | Doylestown, PA |
| Scout executive: | Magne Gundersen |
| Camps & properties: | Ockanickon Scout Reservation (Pipersville, PA) |
| Order of the Arrow: | Ajapeu Lodge #33 |
| Official website: | www.buckscountybsa.org/ |
Allegheny Highlands Council
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Council number: 382 Council headquarters: Falconer, NY
Mason-Dixon Council
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Council number: 221 Council headquarters: Hagerstown, MD
Baden-Powell Council
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Council number: 368 Council headquarters: Binghamton, NY
Five Rivers Council
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Council number: 375 Council headquarters: Horseheads, NY Horseheads (village), New YorkHorseheads is a village in Chemung County, New York, USA. The population was 6,461 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from the number of bleached skulls of pack horses left behind by the Sullivan Expedition....
Potomac Council
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Council number: 757 Council headquarters: Cumberland, MD
Pennsylvania-based Girl Scout councils
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
| Council headquarters: | Harrisburg, PA |
| Executive officer: | Jane Ransom |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Archbald Camp Archbald Camp Archbald is a Girl Scout camp in Brooklyn Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses , including a lake . Established in 1920, it is the second oldest Girl Scout Camp in America... (Susquehanna County Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,238 people, 16,529 households, and 11,785 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 21,829 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile... ) Camp Echo Trail (York County York County, Pennsylvania York County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 434,972. It is in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania.... ) Camp ElWaHo (Chambersburg, PA) Camp Happy Valley (Adams County Adams County, Pennsylvania Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 101,407. It was created on January 22, 1800, from part of York County and named in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams... ) Camp Furnace Hills (Lancaster County) Camp Gi Sco Ha (Hanover, PA) Camp Golden Pond (Huntington County) Camp Laurel (Lackawanna County Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 213,295 people, 86,218 households, and 55,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 465 people per square mile . There were 95,362 housing units at an average density of 208 per square mile... ) Camp Louise Camp Lycogis (Sullivan County Sullivan County, Pennsylvania Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population is 6,428. Sullivan County was created on March 15, 1847, from part of Lycoming County and named for Charles Sullivan, leader of the Pennsylvania Senate... ) Camp Pocono (Monroe County Monroe County, Pennsylvania -National protected areas:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area * Middle Delaware National Scenic River -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there are 176,567 people, 49,454 households, and 36,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 228 people per square mile... ) Camp Small Valley (Dauphin County Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Dauphin County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of the three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 census, the population was 268,100. The county includes the city of Harrisburg, which has served as the state capital... ) |
| Official website: | www.gshpa.org |
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
| Council headquarters: | Miquon, PA |
| Executive officer: | |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Mosey Wood (Carbon county) Camp Wood Haven (Schuylkill County) Camp Mountain House (Lehigh Valley Lehigh Valley The Lehigh Valley, known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area and referred to locally as The Valley and A-B-E, is a metropolitan region consisting of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania and... ) Camp Hidden Falls (Dingmans Ferry, PA Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania Dingmans Ferry is an unincorporated community in Delaware Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was originally sited on the Delaware River in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, but was moved farther up the mountain when the Park Service acquired the land for the... ) Camp Laughing Waters (Gilbertsville, PA Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania Gilbertsville is a census-designated place in northwest Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in Douglass Township at the junction of Routes 73 and 100... ) Shelly Ridge Day Camp (Miquon, PA) Valley Forge Day Camp (Valley Forge, PA Valley Forge, Pennsylvania The Village of Valley Forge is an unincorporated settlement located on the west side of Valley Forge National Historical Park at the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania, United States. The remaining village is in Schuylkill Township of Chester County, but once... ) Camp Tohikanee (Quakertown, PA) Camp Tweedale (Oxford, PA) |
| Official website: | www.gsep.org |
Divesting in camps
According to a June 16 2011 report, the council has decided to divest in Camp Tweedale, Camp Tohikanee, and Camp Hidden Falls. The following links may be of interest to those interested in following this situation:- http://www.gsep.org/blog/blog.php?ID=1
- http://www.change.org/petitions/girl-scouts-of-eastern-pa-keep-camp-tweedale-open
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Camp-Tweedale-and-Tohi/231434100216334
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania
| Council headquarters: | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Executive officer: | Patricia A. Burkart |
| Camps & properties: | Camp Conshatawba (Ebensburg, PA Ebensburg, Pennsylvania Ebensburg is a borough located in, and is the seat of, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, west of Altoona and surrounded by Cambria Township. It is situated in the Alleghenies about 2025 feet above sea level. Ebensburg is located in a rich bituminous coal region. In the past, saw mills, tanneries,... ) Camp Curry Creek is 63 acres (254,952.2 m²) in Brockway, PA Brockway, Pennsylvania Brockway is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,182 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brockway is located at .... ) Camp Elliott is 101 acre (0.40873286 km²) near Volent, PA Volant, Pennsylvania Volant is a borough in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 113 at the 2000 census.-History:The land on which the borough of Volant currently sits on was bought from the Native Americans in 1784. The first grist mill was built on the Neshannock Creek in 1806 and was... ) Camp Hawthorne Ridge is 207 acre (0.83770002 km²) in Fairview, PA Fairview, Pennsylvania Fairview is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 220 at the 2000 census. It should not be confused with Fairview, Erie County, Pennsylvania which carries the ZIP code 16415.-Geography:... ) Camp Lend-A-Hand (not in use) Camp Redwing (Renfrew, PA) Camp Resting Waters Camp Roy Weller Camp Singing Hills (Venango County) Camp Skymeadow (Avonmore, PA) Camp Timberlake (Marianna, PA) Camp Trefoil Trails Camp Wright-O-Way (Beaver County) Camp Yough (Elizabeth, PA) |
| Official website: | www.gswpa.org |
Scouting museums in Pennsylvania
The World of Scouting Museum is located in Valley Forge, PennsylvaniaValley Forge, Pennsylvania
The Village of Valley Forge is an unincorporated settlement located on the west side of Valley Forge National Historical Park at the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania, United States. The remaining village is in Schuylkill Township of Chester County, but once...
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Another Part of the Museum is located at the Miquon location (Shelley Ridge)
Each year a gathering of collectors come to Valley Forge and buy, sell, and SWAP items for each others collections
International Scouting units in Pennsylvania
- There are HomenetmenHomenetmenHomenetmen is a pan-Armenian diaspora organization devoted to sport and Scouting. The motto of Homenetmen is "Elevate Yourself and Elevate Others with You" .-Foundation:...
Armenian Scouts in Philadelphia. - Külföldi Magyar CserkészszövetségKülföldi Magyar CserkészszövetségKülföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség is a Scouts-in-Exile organization created for youth of Hungarian descent. Scouting makes it possible for the young men and women to learn more about their Hungarian heritage, language and culture...
Hungarian Scouting maintains two troops in Philadelphia and one in PittsburghPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
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See also
- Bucks County Council
- Chester County CouncilChester County CouncilThe Chester County Council is a Boy Scouts of America service council that serves members of the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing programs in Chester County, Pennsylvania and Northeastern Cecil County, Maryland...
- Cradle of Liberty CouncilCradle of Liberty CouncilThe Cradle of Liberty Council is a Boy Scouts of America council created in 1996 with the merger of the former Philadelphia Council and the former Valley Forge Council .-History:The present council is the result of the 1996 merger of Philadelphia and Valley Forge councils...
- Minsi Trails CouncilMinsi Trails CouncilCamp Minsi is a located on the shores of the Stillwater Lake in Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania. The camp was formerly owned by Bethlehem Area Council prior to the establishment of Minsi Trails Council. The camp was donated to the Boy Scouts in 1949 by Samuel Rubel. Camp Minsi encompasses of...
- Northeastern Pennsylvania Council
- York-Adams Area Council
- French Creek CouncilFrench Creek CouncilThe French Creek Council serves Boy Scouts in six counties in northwestern Pennsylvania and one township in Ohio. The council was organized in 1972 from a merger of the former Washington Trail Council of Erie, Custaloga Council of Sharon and Colonel Drake Council of Oil City, Pennsylvania...