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Great Salt Lake Council, Boy Scouts of America
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
Headquarters525 Foothill Blvd Salt Lake City, UT 84113
CountryUnited States
Coordinates40°45′30.9″N 111°50′14.8″W / 40.758583°N 111.837444°W / 40.758583; -111.837444
FoundedDecember, 1918
Website
https://www.saltlakescouts.org/
 Scouting portal

The Great Salt Lake Council is a local council of the Boy Scouts of America and serves the Utah counties of Salt Lake, Tooele and Summit, as well as much of Davis County.

Organization

The council is divided into these districts:[1]

Camps

The council operates the following camps:[2]

Camp Steiner[3]

Camp Steiner
LocationUinta Mountains of Utah
Coordinates40°43′9.68″N 110°53′5.9″W / 40.7193556°N 110.884972°W / 40.7193556; -110.884972
Founded1930
Website
https://www.saltlakescouts.org/steiner

At 10,400 feet (3,200 m), Camp Steiner is the highest Boy Scout camp in the United States [4][5] and the second highest in the world. It was founded in 1930[4] in the Uinta Mountains. The camp is listed in the national historic registry.[4] The camp is located about 30 miles (48 km) outside of Kamas, Utah. The camp lies on the shores of Scout Lake with several other lakes nearby, such as Lofty Lake, Kamas Lake, Castle Lake, Picturesque Lake and Pearl Lake. It has views of Bald Mountain, Reids Peak, Hayden Peak and Mount Agassiz. In 2002 it the camp was expected to host 56,000 boys over the course of the summer.[6]

Camp Steiner is considered the flagship camp for the Great Salt Lake Council. The camp's motto is "Designed to serve the many, but dedicated to serve and embrace the one."

History

Founded in 1930, Camp Steiner is known for its many traditions including Mountain Man competitions and the Steiner Yell. The reenactment of the Siege of Mafeking, followed by the Honor Trail, a dawn hike and the Polar Bear Plunge are all a part of Steiner's program.

The legend of Hyrum is an old folktale about a miner who was blown to pieces in a horrible mining accident. Legend states that Hyrum still hikes the hills of Steiner as a monster of some sort.

The Lost Gold Mine is a true story of LDS miner Caleb Rhoades who mined what were considered to be the richest gold mines in the country. The story of the Rhoades Mines includes an ambush by Butch Cassidy and his "Hole in the Wall Gang." The locations of the mines died with Rhoades, but in his journal he describes a heart-shaped lake surrounded by castles; possibly referring to Scout Lake (formerly known as Heart Lake) and the cliff faces and mountain peaks that can be seen from the lake shores.

The docks on Scout Lake at Camp Steiner.

Facilities

The main buildings of the camp are the kitchen, the museum, the trading post, the wilderness cabin, the first aid cabin/director's office, the tool shed and the handicraft lodge. The camp has neither electricity nor cell phone coverage. The camp gets its water from a pump system that is gravity powered.

The climbing wall at Camp Steiner is a natural rock face located just above the campfire bowl, which is sometimes referred to as the amphitheater.

Program

The waterfront of Camp Steiner had a tower (which was rebuilt in 2004, yet collapsed in 2009 because of heavy snowfall), a canoe beach and floating docks. Canoeing, rowing, swimming and life-saving merit badges are available. Small-boat sailing was abandoned in 2003 because the winds were never good enough to consistently teach the merit badge, it was brought back in 2008 and 2009, but the Council has not been able to attain sailboats in good enough repair for the camp to use anymore. The lake has a temperature that stays between 35 and 55 °F (2 and 13 °C) during the summer. Passing the swim check is a rite of passage and swimming a mile in the lake is something that only between 10 and 20 people achieve every year. [7]

Steiner offers two different shooting sports: rifle and archery, although these Merit Badges are subject to weather. Several other merit badges are offered at the camp. Merit Badges offered in Handicraft: Basketry, Indian Lore, Leatherwork and Woodcarving. Merit badges offered in Outdoor Skills, once called Scoutcraft: First Aid, Pioneering, Orienteering, Fishing, and Wilderness Survival. Nature merit badges offered: Environmental Science, Bird Study, Soil and Water Conservation, and Forestry. Also for the 2010 season, two of the historic (centennial) merit badges were offered: Signaling and Tracking.

Adventure activities are designed to keep older boys, who may have completed the rank of Eagle, challenged and engaged in the camp program. They include hiking, team building games, and the Climbing merit badge. High Adventure staffers teach Leave No Trace training at least once a week.

There is also an action center program that teaches trail to First Class.

Hinckley Scout Ranch

Hinckley Scout Ranch
LocationUinta Mountains of Utah
Coordinates40°51′44.55″N 110°45′41.3″W / 40.8623750°N 110.761472°W / 40.8623750; -110.761472
Founded1930
Website
https://www.saltlakescouts.org/hinckley

Hinckley Scout Ranch is named after Bryant Stringham Hinckley who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association and made the case of for the Church to affiliate with the Boy Scouts of America.[8]

Thomas S. Monson Lodge

View of the Amphitheater at the Thomas S. Monson Lodge at the Hinkely Scout Ranch.

On May 27, 2015[9] the BSA held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 23,000 square foot building that serves as the centerpiece of the Hinckley Scout Ranch.[10] On October 5, 2016, a ribbon cutting and dedication were performed.[11] The building was built for $5.5 million and financed by a group of donors. The Sorenson Legacy Foundation was the primary donor. The-two story building contains several training rooms, kitchen, and a trading post. It is utilized for training events, banquets, and National Youth Leader Training (NYLT) and Wood Badge training courses.[11]

History

In 2002, a fire was started at the then-East Fork of the Bear River Scout Camps that led to 14,205 acres of forest burning down.[12] The fire was started by 20 Boy Scouts who were camping overnight as part of the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge. Despite the fact that there was a fire ban in place for the area, the Scouts started numerous fires.[12] The fire cost the State of Utah an estimated $13 million to put it out.[12][13] Originally the State of Utah filed a lawsuit against both the Boy Scouts of America and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, after some criticism, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and then-U.S. Attorney Paul Warner dropped the Mormon Church from the lawsuit. Ultimately in 2003, the Boy Scouts of America settled the lawsuit for $6.5 million.[14] While many were concerned as to where the money would come from to pay the settlement, the Great Salt Lake Council assured the community that none of the money would come from donations, but rather from insurance held by the national office in Irving, TX.[14] As part of the settlement, the council also agree to plant over 9,000 trees so as to help the surrounding forest begin to regrow.[14] They also agreed to provide additional training and information for both youth & adults as to how to better care for the area around them and to properly care for fires while in the outdoors.[12]

In 2012 the East Fork of the Bear Scout Camp was renamed Hinckley Scout Ranch.[8] Prior to the renaming, the camp contained 3 sub camps: Tomahawk, Frontier and Evergreen.[8] The Hinckley Scout Ranch now operates as one camp with activities coordinated with between the 3 sub-areas: North Slope, Pinnacle, & Trail Head.

Ridgeline High Adventure

To provide a wider variety of experiences for those interested in visiting Hinckley Scout Ranch, older youth (14 years-old and up) may attend Ridgeline High Adventure, located within the Hinckley Scout Ranch. Ridgeline High Adventure provides a variety of activities including treks (backpacking), rock climbing, COPE, ATV, & others.

Camp Sunrise

Another camp within the Hinckley Scout Ranch is Camp Sunrise for Latter-day Saint young women. The young women who attend are able to experience many of the activities and adventures that Boy Scouts enjoy. The program is designed to allow the LDS wards & stakes to choose how they would like to allot their time. Many choose to participate in the activities provided by the camp as well as create some experiences on their own. Camp Sunrise is known for its great food and rugged scenery.

The gun range at Camp Tracy in the Millcreek Canyon Camps is typically the first time most Scouts are introduced to firearms.

Millcreek Canyon Camps

Beginning in 2016, the Great Salt Lake Council began calling the collection of camps in Millcreek Canyon the Millcreek Canyon Camps. These camps accommodate children ranging in age from 6 years-old to 11 years-old. There are camps available for Tiger, Wolf, Bear & Webelos Cub Scouts as well as 11 year-old Boy Scouts.

Cub Country

Cub Scouts did not have a designated camp to utilize in Millcreek Canyon until 1977. After many long discussions with council officials, a group of volunteers was given permission to begin creating a camp for those young Scouts to attend during the summer months. Rather than just build one camp, they choose to build several. Each camp had a theme which the activities the Cub Scouts would participate in would be based around. This tradition continues to this day. Previous camp themes include:

  • Fort Liberty
  • Camp Mission Impossible
  • Indy's Lost City
  • North to Alaska
  • Wild Kingdom
  • Camp Abracadabra
  • Buccaneer's Cove
  • Sherwood Forest
  • Indy's Egyptian Treasure
  • Zorro Country
  • American Heros
  • Superhero Academy
  • Harry's Magical Fort
  • Knight's of the Roundtable
  • CSI: Cub Science Investigation
  • Fort Cub Frontier
  • Jedi Training Academy
  • Akela's Village
  • Casey Jones Junction
  • Jurassic Journey
  • Cubs vs Wild
  • Cub Olympics

Current Cub Country Themes[15]

Camp Name Theme First Year Instituted Description
Construction Junction LEGO 2015 Explore a world of endless imagination while attending Construction Junction. Enjoy playing games, racing push carts, and shooting BB guns while attending this camp.
Cub Aquatics Water 2016 Make a splash while attending Cub Aquatics. Participate in water activities that you normally wouldn't experience while attending a typical Cub Scout camp. Enjoy swimming, row boats, and plenty of water games.
Cubshire Mythical/Fantasy 2017 Immerse yourself in the fantastical worlds of JRR Tolkien & C.S. Lewis at Cubshire. Explore Mirkwood and escape the spiders, learn magic from Merlin, and practice shooting a bow & arrow.
Cub Shooting Sports N/A 2017 Introduce your Cub Scouts to bows & arrows, BB guns, and slingshots in a safe environment. They will be taught how to properly handle these tools as well as how to keep themselves and others safe while using them.
Dragon Masters Viking 2017 Do you dare to become a dragon trainer? Only the strongest and bravest are willing & able to tame these wild beasts. Learn the ways of a Viking dragon trainer while attending Dragon Masters.
Fort Frontier Old West 2007 Howdy! Welcome to the ol' west. We'll take good care of y'all while yer here. Feel free to explore our fort, visit the Native American village, and hike through the backcountry. We're sure you'll enjoy your visit to the ol' west.
Tiger Knights Medieval 2018 Tiger Knights will help your young Cubs to learn & enjoy spending time in the outdoors. Make crafts, learn magic tricks, and enjoy other activities all while attending Tiger Knights.

Girls at Camp

For years the Millcreek Canyon Camps have allowed girls to attend camp to enjoy Millcreek Canyon. For girls ages 8 to 9 years-old, they may attend Cub Country camps. And for girls ages 10 to 11 years-old, they may attend Camp Traci for Girls.

El-Ku-Ta Lodge

The first Ordeal for the El-Ku-Ta Lodge of the Order of the Arrow was held at Camp Steiner in June 1956. The ceremony team that conducted the ceremony could have either been from the Ogden area or from the Tannu Lodge in Reno, Nevada.[16]

Executive pay controversy

In 2007 it was disclosed that the leader of the Great Salt Lake Council received more than $200,000 a year in compensation.[17][18] The issue of executive pay became an issue again in 2011 during the annual Friends of Scouting campaign.[19][20][21]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.saltlakescouts.org/districts
  2. ^ https://www.saltlakescouts.org/camps
  3. ^ "Camp Steiner | Great Salt Lake Council | BSA". www.saltlakescouts.org. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  4. ^ a b c Wharton,Tom Camp Steiner: Welcome to 'the Holy Grail of camps'. The Salt Lake Tribune, Retrieved July 26, 2016
  5. ^ Arave, Lynn (30 June 2008). "Scout camp still stuck in winter". Deseret News. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  6. ^ "Boy Scout camp renews lease". Deseret News. 6 February 2002. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Guide to Utah Boy Scout Camps". MainTour. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c Finley, Jeff (24 September 2012). "Scout camp to be renamed after Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley's father". Deseret News. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  9. ^ Jason Swensen (22 June 2015). "Ground Broken on Thomas S. Monson Lodge". LDS Church News. Retrieved 24 Aug 2017.
  10. ^ Davidson, Lee (20 March 2014). "Scout lodge named after LDS Church President Monson". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  11. ^ a b Jason Swensen (6 Oct 2016). "Scout Training Lodge Named for President Monson". LDS Church News. Retrieved 24 Aug 2017.
  12. ^ a b c d Winslow, Ben (2007-03-07). "Boy Scouts settle Utah suit over 2002 fire". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  13. ^ writer, PATTY HENETZ Associated Press. "Boy Scouts sued over $14 million East Fork Fire". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  14. ^ a b c "Scouts settle for $6.5 million". Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  15. ^ "Available Camps for Cub Scouts - 1 Day Plus | Great Salt Lake Council | BSA". www.saltlakescouts.org. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  16. ^ http://elkuta.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55:lodge-history&catid=99:lodge-history&Itemid=69
  17. ^ Davidson, Lee (11 November 2007), "Scouts may be thrifty, but some leaders are well paid", Deseret News, retrieved 2011-10-12
  18. ^ "Boy Scout council leader defends $214,000 compensation", The Salt Lake Tribune, AP, 13 November 2007, retrieved 2011-10-12
  19. ^ Davidson, Lee (6 August 2011), "Utah Boy Scouts fundraiser kicks off — with high-pressure tactics", The Salt Lake Tribune, retrieved 2011-10-12
  20. ^ "Q-and-A with Boy Scout councils", The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 August 2011, retrieved 2011-10-12
  21. ^ Davidson, Lee (21 September 2011), "LDS leader dismissed after criticizing Friends of Scouting", The Salt Lake Tribune, retrieved 2011-10-12

Further reading

  • Boren, Kerry Ross (2008), Lest We Forget: A Historical Review of the Great Salt Lake Council, Boy Scouts of America, BSA Great Salt Lake Council, ASIN B0044V5J5W
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