Scouting in New Jersey
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Scouting in New Jersey has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. In fact, the second National BSA Headquarters was in North Brunswick.
[edit] Early history (1910-1950)
Camp Glen Gray, located in Bergen County, New Jersey (Northern New Jersey Council) has been continually active since 1917, and was originally 150 acres located in a valley in the Ramapo Mountains in New Jersey. Camp Glen Gray is named after Frank F. Gray, (1869-1935) a well known early professional Scouter of that area. Gray was one of America's earliest Scoutmasters, having started Troop 4 in Montclair, New Jersey, known as the "Lord Baden-Powell Troop" in March 1909. He also created an honor program that was used in New Jersey and in the Brooklyn Council called "Senior Division". In 2003, the camp was sold to the Bergen County Parks Commission and the camp was re-opened by a group of volunteers known as the "Old Guard". While no longer an "offical" Boy Scout Camp, it does continue to host a large number of Scouting groups and activities throughout the year.
Cub Scouting Origins - To begin including younger boys to Scouting, James E. West approved the formation of the Boy Rangers of America, a separate organization for boys eight through twelve based on an American Indian theme. The Boy Rangers used the Scout Law and Chief Guide Emerson Brooks was a Boy Scout commissioner in Montclair, New Jersey. The BSA finally began some experimental Cubbing units in 1928 and in 1930 the BSA began registering the first Cubbing packs, and the Boy Rangers were absorbed. The Cub Scouting program used elements of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book series, with the Cubmaster taking the role of Akela and the assistant Cubmaster the role of Baloo. The American program also syncretized American Indian elements, with all Cub Scouts belonging to the Webelos tribe, symbolized by the Arrow of Light and led by Akela. Webelos was also an acronym meaning Wolf, Bear, Lion, Scout. The initial rank structure was Wolf, Bear and Lion, with ages of 9, 10 and 11. Dens of six to eight Cubs were entirely led by a Boy Scout holding the position of den chief.
Mortimer L. Schiff - After a long tenure as vice-president of the BSA beginning in 1910, during which he also appeared on the cover of Time magazine on February 14, 1927, Mortimer L. Schiff was elected as president in 1931, but died after serving one month and Walter Head returned until 1946. Schiff's mother purchased and donated 400 acres (1.6 km2) of land in New Jersey and donated it to the BSA, thus creating Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation as a national training center. Both Mortimer and his son, John M. Schiff, received the Silver Buffalo Award from the BSA.
William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt - William Hillcourt was one of the BSA's most prolific writers. He wrote numerous articles for Boys' Life and Scouting magazines, including a column aimed at patrol leaders under the by-line of "Patrol Leader Green Bar Bill". At least 12,610,000 copies of his three editions of the Boy Scout Handbook were printed. Hillcourt died in Europe while on a Scouting tour in 1992. He is buried with his wife Grace in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Mendham, New Jersey at Row 8, Block I, to be near Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation as he had lived for so many years. His legacy in Scouting and his influence continue in the programs and training of Scouting. Consequently, his writings are still used within the Scouting movement and his material continues to be reprinted in Scouting magazine.[21] The Hiawatha Seaway Council operates the William Hillcourt Scout Museum at Camp Woodland in New York to "keep the traditions of Scouting alive" through the preservation of the history that is a foundation for today's Scouting movement
Order of the Arrow - The first Order of the Arrow ceremony for the Vigil Honor was held in New Jersey by E. Urner Goodman using Scouts from the Treasure Island Scout Reservation. The 1925 and 1936 National Order of the Arrow Lodge Meetings were held at Treasure Island, New Jersey.
[edit] Recent history (1950-1990)
[edit] Boy Scouting in New Jersey today
There are eight Boy Scouts of America local councils in New Jersey.
[edit] Burlington County Council
Burlington County Council serves all of Burlington County. Its camp is Pine Tree Education and Environmental Center. The council is divided into two districts:
- Quakesen District
- Mahalala District
Order of the Arrow Lodge: Hunnikick 76
[edit] Central New Jersey Council
Central New Jersey Council serves central New Jersey from the Delaware River to the Jersey Shore.
[edit] Jersey Shore Council
The Jersey Shore Council serves all of Ocean County and Atlantic County, and part of Burlington and Cape May Counties.
[edit] Minsi Trails Council
The 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.
[edit] Monmouth Council
[edit] Northern New Jersey Council
The Northern New Jersey Council was formed in January 1999 as a joint venture between the independent councils of Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties as an effort to better serve the scouting communities encompassed in these areas. By drawing on the strengths of each of these individual councils and merging them together, the Northern New Jersey Council has committed itself to offering the finest Scouting programs, increasing membership and providing strong, supportive leadership.
The Council is currently divided into nine Districts:
- Black Bear District (northern Passaic County)
- Broken Arrow District (northern Essex County)
- Hudson Liberty District (all of Hudson County)
- Orange Mountains District (southern Essex County, except Newark)
- Iaoapogh Mountains District (northwest Bergen County)
- Robert Treat District (the City of Newark)
- Southern Valley District (southern Passaic County)
- Tantaqua District (southern Bergen County)
- Twin Valleys District (northeast Bergen County)
Northern New Jersey Council currently operates six camps: Alpine Scout Camp - low-impact camping, Dow Drucker Scout Reservation (Camp Kluge and Camp Turrell - Boy Scout Resident Camp), Camp Lewis- Cub Scout Resident Camp, Floodwood Mountain Scout Reservation- High Adventure Base, Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco- Boy Scout Resident Camp, and Camp Yaw-Paw- Cub Scout Day Camp.
Camp Alpine (New Jersey), located in Alpine, New Jersey, is a great place for weekend camping and hiking the Palisades Historic Trail. Primarilly a low-impact camping experience, the camp has minimal facilities to allow units to use their camping skills to the fullest.
Activities:
- Weekend Camping
- District Events
- Palisades Historic Trail
It is currently a minor subject of interest in a lawsuit brought by a small Indian tribe in south Jersey for a new casino. They claim to have had their tribal lands sold illegally by the state and have offered to take the property, as well as the Greater New York's Camp Alpine that is adjacent, as part of their restitution. Click the footnote for the New York Times article. [1]
Dow Drucker Scout Reservation The Dow Drucker Scout Reservation is home to two different camps, Camp Turrell and Camp Kluge, and three different camping experiences.
Camp Turrell is used for fall and spring weekend camping as well as a Boy Scout Resident camp during the summer. Special programs are also run for each season (fall, winter, spring and summer).
Camp Kluge is used for weekend camping year-round and recently had two new cabins built to serve an increasing usage of the camp.
Family camping is also available at the 3 "A Frame" cabins. They have lights, cook top, 3 bed rooms, bathroom, but at this time they also only have only seasonal use from May to the end of October.
Floodwood Scout Reservation Floodwood Mountain Scout Reservation has been the ultimate site for High Adventure for over forty years. The Rollins Pond Canoe Base and the West Pine Pond Backpacking Center form the Reservation, both located in Altamont, NY between Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, in the heart of the Adirondacks. With its many lakes and the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, Floodwood is perfectly located to offer a high adventure challenge second to none. With Rock Climbing, Water Skiing, archery, and many day hikes and paddles available, Floodwood offers a great program in camp as well as on trek.
Camp Lewis Camp Lewis is located in the Hibernia Section of Rockaway Township, Morris County. It is open for weekend camping throughout the year and is also a Cub Scout Resident Camp during the summer.
The Cub Scout resident camp is a great experience for all boys entering first through fifth grades in the fall. The program is action-packed from the time you get there until the time you pack up and say good-bye to all your new Scouting friends. Scouts arrive after lunch on Saturday and depart Wednesday night after the closing dinner and campfire that the entire family can attend!
Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco (NOrth BErgen BOy SCOuts) is a Boy Scouts of America camp located in Hardwick Township, New Jersey, owned by the Northern New Jersey Council. It opened in 1927.
No-Be-Bo-Sco is in session from July-August each year to Scouters and includes dozens of merit badge classes and activities throughout its 6 weeks. The camp is currently run by Mr. Bob Johnson, who has just celebrated his 20th year as Camp Director. Each year at camp has always included a new theme for each summer, examples include:
- 2001- The NoBe Outback (Australia/The Outback) [Program Director: Andrew Kane]
- 2002- Indiana Jones and the Rattler's Eye (Indiana Jones) NoBe's 75th Anniversary [Program Director: Jay Fink/Ted McDonald]
- 2003- Loki's Revenge (Vikings) [Program Director: Rich Bachmann]
- 2004- Castaway at Sand Cove (Polynesian Islands/Gilligan's Island) [Program Director: Rich Bachmann]
- 2005- Campelot (Knights of the Round Table/Camelot) [Program Director: Tommy Babcock]
- 2006- A Nobebosco Mystery (The Pink Panther/Clue) [Program Director: Rob Yankowski]
- 2007- Secrets of the Sphinx (Egypt) NoBe's 80th Anniversary [Program Director: Matt Jenkins]
- 2008- Clash of the Ancients (Greece/The Olympics) [Program Director: Marc Jenkins]
The camp has the highest attendance of Northern New Jersey Council camps, with a long history of a strong scouting program.
NoBe also operates a very effective year round program. Heated cabins are available for troops of all sizes to be rented for weekend use. The camp serves as a great launching point for a hike along the appalachian trail, or exploring the Delaware Watergap Recreation Area.
Camp Yaw Paw Camp Yaw-Paw is a 400-acre (1.6 km2) tract of land in the Ramapo Mountain Range. The camp offers a winter camping program from September till May. Camp Yaw-Paw is NNJ Council's Cub Day Camp during the summer months.
Activities:
- BB Rifle and Archery Range
- Swimming, Canoeing, Row boating, Paddle boats
- Nature activities and Handicraft
- Campfires
Order of the Arrow Lodge: Lenapehoking Lodge IX
[edit] Patriots' Path Council
The Patriots' Path Council includes Morris, Sussex, Somerset and Union counties.
[edit] Southern New Jersey Council
Southern New Jersey Council is divided into five districts:
- Baysea District serves Cape May County [1]
- White Horse District serves Camden County (formerly Big Timber and Cooper Districts)[2]
- Cumberland District serves Cumberland County [3]
- Old Colony District serves Gloucester and Salem Counties [4]
The council operates three camps:
- Roosevelt Scout Reservation and Camp Diller (Boy Scout Summer Camp)
- Pine Hill Scout Reservation
- Camp Grice (Cub Scout Day Camp)
Order of the Arrow: Te'kening Lodge 37
[edit] Discontinued Councils
The following is a partial list of councils (and their districts) in New Jersey that have ceased to exist due to mergers with other councils.
- Aheka Council, 1939 - 1972
- Alexander Hamilton Council, ? - 1968
- Merged with Hudson Council to form Hudson-Hamilton Council in 1968.
- Alhtaha Council, ? - ?
- Atlantic Area Council, 1926 - 1992
- Merged with Ocean County Council to form present day Jersey Shore Council.
- Bayonne Council, 1918 - 1993
- Merged with Hudson Hamilton Council in 1993.
- Bergen Council, 1969 - 1998
- Merged with Essex, Hudson Liberty Council, and Passaic Valley Councils to form present day Northern New Jersey Council.
- Camden County Council, 1921 - 1998
- Merged into Southern New Jersey Council
- Eagle Rock Council, 1931 - 1976
- Merged with Robert Treat Council and Orange Mountain Council to form Essex Council. [5]
- Essex Council, 1976 - 1998
- Merged with Bergen, Hudson Liberty, and Passaic Valley Councils to form present day Northern New Jersey Council.
- George Washington Council, 1937 - 1999
- Merged with Thomas A. Edison Council to form present day Central New Jersey Council.
- Hoboken Council, ? - ?
- Hudson Council, 1936 - 1968
- Merged with Alexander Hamilton Council to form Hudson-Hamilton Council in 1968.
- Hudson Hamilton Council, 1968 - 1993
- Became Hudson Liberty in 1993.
- Hudson Liberty Council, 1993 - 1998
- Merged with Bergen, Essex, and Passaic Valley Councils to form present day Northern New Jersey Council.
- Jersey City Council, 1916 - 1936
- Merged with West Hudson Council to form Hudson Council in 1936.
- Middlesex Council, 1929 - 1969
- Merged with Raritan Council to form Thomas A. Edison Council in 1969.
- Morris-Sussex Area Council, 1936 - 1999
- Merged with Watchung Area Council to form present day Patriots' Path Council.
- West Morris District (now part of Black River District in Patriots Path)
- New Brunswick Council, 1916 - 1929
- Became Middlesex Council in 1929.
- Newark Area Council, ? - ?
- North Hudson Council, ? - ?
- Ocean County Council, 1940 - 1992
- Merged with Atlantic Area Council to form present day Jersey Shore Council.
- Orange Mountain Council, ? - 1976
- Merged with Eagle Rock Council and Robert Treat Council to form Essex Council.
- Passaic Valley Council, 1973 - 1998
- Merged with Bergen, Hudson Liberty, and Essex Councils to form present day Northern New Jersey Council.
- Perth Amboy Council, 1919 - 1927
- Became Raritan Council in 1927.
- Piasa Bird Council, 1930 - 1991
- Raritan Council, 1927 - 1969
- Merged with Middlesex Council to form Thomas A. Edison Council in 1969.
- Ridgewood-Glen Rock Council, 1922 - 1997
- Robert Treat Council , ? - 1976
- Merged with Eagle Rock Council and Orange Mountain Council to form Essex Council.
- Tamarack Council, 1935 - 1986
- Thomas A. Edison Council, 1969 - 1999
- Merged with George Washington Council to form present day Central New Jersey Council.
- Cowaw District
- Trenton and Mercer Council, ? - ?
- Trenton, Mercer and Warren Area Council, ? - ?
- Union Council, 1928 - 1980
- Merged with Watchung Area Council in 1980.
- Upper Mohawk Council, 1937 - 1981
- Watchung Area Council, 1926 - 1999
- Merged with Morris-Sussex Area Council to form present day Patriots' Path Council.
- Natami District (now divided between Raritan Valley and Black River districts in Patriots Path)
- Blue Mountain Valley (now part of Raritan Valley District)
- Patriot District (now part of the Watchung Mountain District)
- West Hudson Council, ? - 1936
- Merged with Jersey City Council to form Hudson Council in 1936.
[edit] Girl Scouting in New Jersey
In 2007, 11 councils in New Jersey merged to make what GSUSA calls high-performance councils. Currently there are 4 high-performance councils in New Jersey.
[edit] Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey
A new council to be formed on October 1, 2007 by the merger of Bergen, Leni-Lenape, and Morris Councils.[6]
[edit] Girl Scout Council of Bergen County
Serves girls in Bergen County.
Camp is Camp Glen Spey (600 acres)
Paramus, New Jersey[7]
[edit] Girl Scouts: Lenni-Lenape Council
Serves over 11,000 girls in Passaic, Bergen, Sussex, Morris, and Warren counties.
Camp
- Camp Rickabear - 332 acres (1.3 km2)
Riverdale, New Jersey[8]
[edit] Morris Area Girl Scout Council
Serves about 13,500 girls in Morris County.
Camps:
- Camp Mogisca in Glen Spey, NY - 1,005 acres (4 km2)
- Jockey Hollow Camp - 212 acres (0.9 km2)
Randolph, New Jersey[9]
[edit] Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ, Inc.
A new council formed by the merger of Camden, Delaware-Raritan, and South Jersey Pines Councils. Planned merger date was July 1, 2007, but due to Delaware-Raritan's changed vote, the councils merged on October 1, 2007.
The Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ is a high-performance, community based council that covers 9+ counties and serves 27,000+ girls and 11,000+ adults. The council includes 3 service centers, 6 camps and 2 mobile resource centers. The council has one mission: to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.
The 3 service centers are located in Cherry Hill, East Brunswick, and Newfield.
The 6 camps are Inawendiwin, Oak Spring, Shepphard's Mill, Sac North, Sacy South, and Kettle Run. They offer summer resident camps, and four day camps, as well as other camping opportunities year round. The outdoor program activities focus on skill building and environmental education.
Visit their award winning web site at http://www.gscsnj.org
[edit] Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore
Is a new council to be formally created in the summer of 2007 by the merger of Monmouth and Ocean County Councils.[10]
[edit] Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts
Serves more than 12,500 girls in Monmouth County. Founded in 1962.
Camp is Camp Sacajawea (143 acres)[11]
[edit] Girl Scouts of Ocean County
Serving girls in Ocean County
Camp:
- Camp Amity Acres - 57 acres
Toms River, New Jersey[12]
[edit] Girl Scout Council of Greater Essex and Hudson Counties
Serves over 12,000 girls in Essex, Hudson, and Union counties.
Camps
- Camp Eagle Island - in the Adirondack Mountains
Montclair, New Jersey[13]
[edit] Girl Scouts of Rolling Hills Council
Serving about 9,500 girls in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties and Middlesex Borough.
Camps:
- Agnes DeWitt Day Camp - 152 acres (0.6 km2) in Hillsborough, NJ
North Branch, New Jersey[14]
[edit] Washington Rock Girl Scout Council
Camp:
- Camp Lou Henry Hoover
Westfield, New Jersey[15]
[edit] International Scouting units in New Jersey
Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség Hungarian Scouting maintains two troops each in Passaic, New Jersey and New Brunswick, New Jersey.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Central New Jersey Council
- Patriot's Path Council
- Northern New Jersey Council
- Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco
- Monmouth Council
- Jersey Shore Council
- Southern New Jersey Council
- List of New Jersey Girl Scout camps
[edit] References
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