Scouting in Pennsylvania

Scouting in Pennsylvania
Troop 152 Scouts, Philadelphia, at Scout Sunday Service at the St Francis de Sales church
Troop 152 Scouts, Philadelphia, at Scout Sunday Service at the St Francis de Sales church
Valley Forge Trail Medal
Valley Forge Trail Medal
Girl Scout working on her Gold Award Project
Girl Scout working on her Gold Award Project
Camp Archbald Sign
Camp Archbald Sign

Scouting in Pennsylvania has a long and rich tradition, from 1908[1]:55 to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

History

Early history (1908–1950)

One of the earliest Scouting groups in Pennsylvania began in 1908 in Pottsville, 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.[1]:55 The oldest Pennsylvania Scout troop still in existence is "Troop Bala One" in Bala Cynwyd, which was founded in 1908 by Frank H. Sykes.[2]

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, Boy Scout basketball team, 1912

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, Texas, in October 2007.

Also in 1913, the Philadelphia Council opened the first American scout camp, Treasure Island Scout Reservation, near Point Pleasant. 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 Laurel Highlands 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.

In 1916, councils were chartered in Reading,[1]:68 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, one of only a handful of small one-county councils left in America. The other one in Pennsylvania, 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[1]:56 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 the 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 is 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 onto 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, and the 1940 National Lodge Meeting was held at Ligonier.

Recent history (1950–1990)

The 1950 National Scout Jamboree was held at Valley Forge.

Outside of the few small councils mentioned above, the history of Pennsylvania councils over the past 50 years has been one of mergers.[3]

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.

In 1967, the former Nemacolin Trails Council in Washington, Pennsylvania, 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 former Greater Pittsburgh Council.

In 1969, the Lehigh County Council (Allentown), Bethlehem Area Council 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.[1]:85 1970 also saw the merger of the Blair-Bedford Area Council (Altoona), William Penn Council (Indiana) and Admiral Robert E. Peary Council (Johnstown) into the former Penns Woods Council in Ebensburg.

In 1971, the Lancaster County and Lebanon County councils merged to form the Lancaster-Lebanon Council. This council changed its name in 1995 to the Pennsylvania Dutch Council and is headquartered in Lancaster.

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), forming the current Moraine Trails Council, host to two National Jamborees (see below).

Also in 1973, the former Elk Lick Council, in Bradford, merged into the Allegheny Highlands Council headquartered in Falconer, New York.

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 1950, 1957, and 1964 National Scout Jamborees were held at Valley Forge.

Half of the 1973 National Scout Jamboree ("Jamboree East") was held at Moraine State Park in Butler County, 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.

Boy Scouting in Pennsylvania today

Bucktail Council

Bucktail Council #509
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters DuBois
Scout Executive Gregg Bennett
Website
bucktail.org

Camps

Order of the Arrow

Washington Crossing Council

(formerly Bucks County Council)

Washington Crossing Council(#777)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Doylestown
Country United States
President William Pfundt
Scout Executive Magne Gundersen
Website
buckscountybsa.org

The Washington Crossing Council serves Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Hunterdon County, NJ, and Mercer County, NJ.

Chester County Council

Chester County Council #539
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Location West Chester
Country United States
Scout Executive Charles E. Rogers, Jr.
Website
http://www.cccbsa.org

Camps

Order of the Arrow

Chief Cornplanter Council

Chief Cornplanter Council#538
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Warren
Country United States
Scout Executive Ray Tennent (Acting)
Website
cccbsa.com

Known as "America's Oldest Council," CCC is the oldest existing, continuously registered council in the United States. In 1910, members of the community of Warren first explored Scouting activities. In 1913, the Boy Scouts of America gave a charter to an organization known as the Warren County Council. Then in 1954 the council's official name was changed to Chief Cornplanter Council to honor the famous Seneca-Iroquois war chief and diplomat. In 2013, the council celebrated its 100th anniversary as the longest-tenured, unmerged Boy Scout Council in America.[4]

Camps

Order of the Arrow

Columbia-Montour Council

Columbia-Montour Council #504
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Bloomsburg
Scout Executive Paul Knox
Website
columbiamontourbsa.org

Camps-

Camp Lavigne

www.CampLavigne.org

Boy Scout Summer Camp, Cub Resident, Webelows Resident, Day Camp

Klondike Deryby, Cub Winter Fun Day, Orientering Competition, Cub Skill Weekend, Haunted Harvest Fest

Order of the Arrow

Cradle of Liberty Council

Cradle of Liberty Council #525
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Philadelphia
Country United States
Coordinates Coordinates: 39°57′32″N 75°10′32″W / 39.959°N 75.17552°W / 39.959; -75.17552
Founded 1996
President T. Roderick Henkels
Council Commissioner Stephen Perrone
Scout Executive Thomas Harrington
Website
http://www.colbsa.org/

Camps

Order of the Arrow

French Creek Council

Main article: French Creek Council
French Creek Council #532
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Erie
Country United States
Founded 1972
President Chris Rodgers
Scout Executive Duane Havard
Website
Frenchcreek-BSA.org

The 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. Its headquarters is located in Erie, PA.


Camps

Order of the Arrow


Hawk Mountain Council

Main article: Hawk Mountain Council
Hawk Mountain Council #528
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Reading
Country United States
Founded 1970
President Daniel Adams
Scout Executive William Garrett
Website
hmc-bsa.org

Camps

Order of the Arrow

Juniata Valley Council

Juniata Valley Council CSP (#497)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Reedsville
Country United States
Scout Executive James Kennedy
Website
jvcbsa.org

Huntingdon , Mifflin , Center , Juniata Counties

Camps

Order of the Arrow

Laurel Highlands Council

Laurel Highlands Council
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Pittsburgh
Country United States
Founded July 1, 2011
Scout Executive Sharon Moulds
Website
http://www.lhc-bsa.org

Laurel Highlands Council serves youth in Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, and Washington counties in Pennsylvania; Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, and Mineral counties in West Virginia; and Allegany and Garrett counties of Maryland. Laurel Highlands Council was formed when the Greater Pittsburgh and Penn's Woods Councils merged in 2011. Potomac Council was then added in 2014

Camps

Order of the Arrow

Minsi Trails Council

Main article: Minsi Trails Council
Minsi Trails Council #502
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Allentown
Founded 1969
President Joseph E. Brake
Commissioner Eric J. Chiles
Scout Executive Craig Poland
Website
minsitrails.com

Minsi Trails Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America that serves Scouts of eastern Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley and Pocono regions as well as parts of western New Jersey. The council serves six counties: Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Carbon, Luzerne, and Warren.

The council was formed in 1969, after the merger of the Bethlehem Area, Delaware Valley Area, and Lehigh councils. The council consists of six districts and maintains two camping properties: Camp Minsi in Pocono Summit, and Trexler Scout Reservation in Jonas.

Moraine Trails Council

Moraine Trails Council #500
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Butler
Country United States
Scout Executive Ray Tennent
Website
morainetrails.org

Camps

Order of the Arrow

New Birth of Freedom Council

New Birth of Freedom Council #544
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Mechanicsburg
Country United States
Founded April 1, 2010
Scout Executive Ron Gardner
Website
newbirthoffreedom.org

The New Birth of Freedom Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America serving south-central Pennsylvania. The council was formed by a merger of the York-Adams Area Council and Keystone Area Council on April 1, 2010.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Council

Northeastern Pennsylvania Council #501
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Moosic
Country United States
Founded 1990
Scout Executive Marcel Cinquina
Website
nepabsa.org

Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, with headquarters in Moosic, formed in 1990 from the merger of the Forest Lakes and Penn Mountains councils. It's OA Lodge is Lowwapaneu Lodge #191. It has two districts, Two Mountains and Dan Beard.

Pennsylvania Dutch Council

Pennsylvania Dutch Council #524
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Lancaster
Scout Executive Matthew Adams
Website
padutchbsa.org

Pennsylvania Dutch Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America in south-central Pennsylvania serving Lebanon and Lancaster counties. The council has three districts: Conestoga River, Harvest, and Horse-Shoe Trail.

Camps-

Order of the Arrow

Susquehanna Council

Susquehanna Council #533
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Williamsport
Country United States
Scout Executive Jon Brennan
Website
susquehannabsa.org

Camps

Order of the Arrow

Westmoreland-Fayette Council

Westmoreland-Fayette Council #512
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Greensburg
Scout Executive Martin Barbie
Website
wfbsa.org

Camps

Order of the Arrow

Non-Pennsylvania-based Boy Scout councils

Allegheny Highlands Council

Baden-Powell Council

Main article: Baden-Powell Council

Five Rivers Council

Main article: Five Rivers Council

Potomac Council

Main article: Baden-Powell Council

Mason-Dixon Council

Main article: Mason-Dixon Council

Girl Scouting in Pennsylvania today

Girl Scouting in Pennsylvania

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
Owner GSUSA
Headquarters Harrisburg
Country United States
Scout Executive Ellen Kyzer
Website
gshpa.org

Camps

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
Owner GSUSA
Headquarters Miquon
Country United States
Website
gsep.org

Camps

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.[7]

Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania

Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania
Owner GSUSA
Headquarters Pittsburgh
Country United States
Scout Executive Patricia A. Burkart
Website
gswpa.org

Camps

Non-Pennsylvania-based Girl Scout councils

Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways

Scouting museums in Pennsylvania

The World of Scouting Museum is located in Valley Forge. The Museum holds a special exhibit each President's Day weekend during the Cradle of Liberty Council, BSA's Valley Forge Pilgrimage.

International Scouting units in Pennsylvania

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scouting in Pennsylvania.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Henning, Steve (2009). Susan Shelly, ed. On My Honor - The Hawk Mountain Council Story ... 1908-2010. Company Heritage Books. ISBN 9780980100914.
  2. ↑ Troop Bala One History
  3. ↑ Hook, James; Franck, Dave; Austin, Steve (1982). An Aid to Collecting Selected Council Shoulder Patches with Valuation.
  4. ↑ http://www.cccbsa.com/history.shtml
  5. ↑ http://www.wg39.org
  6. ↑ www.wagion.org
  7. ↑ http://www.gsep.org/blog/blog.php?ID=1
  8. ↑ St. Gregory the Illuminator, Armenian Apostolic Church, http://www.saintgregory-phily.org,
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