New Birth of Freedom Council

New Birth of Freedom Council #544

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Country| United States
Founded| April 1, 2010
Scout Executive| Ron Gardner
|  |

|

Website
newbirthoffreedom.org
Scouting portal

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 York-Adams Area Council and Keystone Area Council on April 1, 2010.

## Districts

[edit]

The Council is divided into the following Districts:

* Battlefield District: Adams county and Hanover. The name Battlefield reflects the Battle of Hanover and the Battle of Gettysburg, both fought during the American Civil War.
* Conococheague District: Franklin and Perry Counties. The name refers to a creek in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and a mountain of the same name in Perry County, Pennsylvania. The mountain is a significant portion of the Tuscarora State Forest, and the creek is a tributary of the Potomac River. The word Conococheague is translated from the Delaware Indian spoken language to mean water of many turns. The area along the creek was home to the first settlement in the area which was referred to as the Conococheague Region and eventually developed into present-day Chambersburg.
* Heritage Trails District: York County. Originally used by the Susquehannock, the Susquehanna Trail began common use in the colonial period as a major travel route from York to Harrisburg.
* Keystone Capital District: Dauphin County. This district includes the Pennsylvania state capital city, and the name references the state nickname of the Keystone State. Pennsylvania was called this because of its central location, and also due to its commercial and political importance among the 13 colonies.
* Pioneer District: Cumberland County. The name reflects both the first pioneers to cross over the mountains to western Pennsylvania who started their journeys from this area and the name of one of the first steam locomotives running on the Cumberland Valley Railroad beginning in the 1850s.

## Council Camps

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

The New Birth of Freedom Council owns four council camps, Camp Conewago, Camp Tuckahoe, Hidden Valley Scout Reservation, and Wizard Ranch.

### Camp Conewago

[edit]

Camp Conewago is located in New Oxford, PA at the “Forks” where the Little Conewago enters into the Big Conewago stream. It was formerly at the point of a traders cabin where the collection of furs and trading was done with early settlers and the Conewago Indian Tribes in the area.

In 1919, the officers of Conewago Council, which then oversaw Scouting in Hanover, Littlestown, New Oxford, Locust Grove, Abbottstown, and East Berlin, saw the need for a Boy Scout camp in their area. Along with the assistance of other civic-minded citizens, the council solicited funds in the area for a camp. On September 13, 1919, they purchased approximately 25 acres of land in Hamilton Township, Adams County, from George T. Gitt. Today, Camp Conewago is still blessed with many of the original buildings constructed over the years.[1]

### Camp Tuckahoe

[edit]

Camp Tuckahoe is the largest of four camps owned by the New Birth of Freedom Council, and is currently operated for use by both Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. The 1,300-acre (5.3 km2) site is located in York County, Pennsylvania, a few miles west of Dillsburg.

The site was formerly a hunting camp which the Council purchased on March 21, 1947, to replace Camp Ganoga. Construction on the property started in the spring of 1947, and the first camping season got underway the next year on June 27, 1948. Many of the later facilities where not present that first season, including the lake, troops cabins (the boys all slept in tents or lean-tos), and the memorial chapel.

From the purchase of the land until part way through the first season, the camp was referred to as "South Mountain Camp" and also "South Mountain Memorial Scout Camp" (as a tribute to WWII servicemen). During the initial camp season, a contest was held to choose between the names "South Mountain", "Tuckahoe", and "Whippoorwill", and Tuckahoe won out. The name Tuckahoe is attributed to mean "Land of the Deer and the Fawn" in a Native American language. [citation needed]

The Memorial Mall and adjoining Chapels are the centerpiece of Camp Tuckahoe. The Mall is an open area lined by hemlock trees that is often used for camp ceremonies and quiet activities. Each of the hemlock trees has been dedicated to a member of the "Council Eternal" (a Scout or Scouter who has died). Additional dedications are made annually when new names are added to the Memorial Wall. Another feature of the Mall is a reflection area where Scouts can read a bronze plaque bearing the words of Rudyard Kiplings's poem If— The recently renovated indoor chapel at the top of the mall was dedicated in memory of Rabbi Goode, one of the Four Chaplains from the troop transport Dorchester.

An area of Camp Tuckahoe called "Cub World" is a special place within the camp that has programs and facilities specifically designed for boys ages 6–10.

Themed areas include the Pirate Ship, Medieval Castle, Frontier Fort, and the TeePee Village. Sleeping arrangements are available in all four areas. Other more general use areas include the Nature Tree House, the Underground Mine, Physical Fitness trail, Cub Activity Field, and Cub Pavilion. Additionally there are Air Rifles, Action Archery (a sling shot course), and Archery Ranges, which tend to be heavily used during summer camp sessions.

Each year, during the designated Cub Scout weeks, the activities in camp are based on a theme. During the week there are many activities centered around the theme of the year. These themes rotate on a 4-year cycle between Safari, Wild West, Knights of the Round Table, and Pirates of Camp Tuckahoe.

* Safari (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
* Wild West (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
* Knights of the Round Table (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2024) 2020 was skipped due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic
* Pirates of Camp Tuckahoe (2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2025).

### Hidden Valley Scout Reservation

[edit]

Situated on 830+ acres near Loysville, PA in Perry County, with the scenic Sherman’s Creek and its exciting fishing opportunities running through it, Hidden Valley has been in operation since 1927. It is one of four camps operated by the New Birth of Freedom Council.

Hidden Valley currently offers five weeks of Boy Scout summer camp as well as a Trail to Eagle Camp.[2]

For Scouting units and non-stop groups looking for year-round outdoor opportunities, Hidden Valley also offers a wide variety of comfortable cabins, with capacities ranging from 10 to 65 people.

### Wizard Ranch

[edit]

Carefully preserved as a primitive camping area, Wizard Ranch is 300 acres of fields and woodlands in eastern York County (Hellam Township) near the western banks of the Susquehanna River and is available for year-round short-term camping or day use.

The Wizard Ranch was donated to the council in 1960 by Mahlon N. Haines, owner of the Haines Shoe Company. Haines was an ardent supporter of the Scouting movement and in 1941, Haines conceived the idea of hosting on his farm in Hellam Township a special gathering of Scouts from all parts of the Council to celebrate his birthday. This event became the first “Haines Safari” and it was such a success that Haines Safaris were repeated in 1945, 1950, 1955 and 1960, each one striving to be bigger and better than its predecessor. 1960 would be the last of the true Haines Safaris because Haines died very shortly thereafter. Just before his death, Haines gave the land to the York-Adams Area Council. Although Haines intended that his land would thereafter be known as something like the “Colonel Mahlon N. Haines Memorial Scout Reservation, it, however, has always been called by generations of Scouts who have come to know and appreciate it, as simply “Wizard Ranch.” In a letter to the Council dated simply “October 1960,” bearing in the stationery logo the message “Wizard Ranch – the Yellowstone Park of the East,” Haines noted “I hope to live long enough to see this one of the great Scout reservations in America, which will add much to making better boys, better men and better people in our community, by enjoying the privileges of being out of doors …”

In using Haines’ gift of the Wizard Ranch, the Council decided to build on Haines’ tradition of doing things “bigger and better” and decided to begin holding its own Safaris. The tradition of the Safari was reborn in 1987, with the first of the modern Safaris. This was followed with Safaris occurring in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2015 and 2019. The next Safari is scheduled for September 29-31, 2023.[3]

## Sasquesahanough Lodge

[edit]

The Sasquesahanough Lodge 11 was established January 1, 2011. The lodge was formed as a consolidation of the Susquehannock Lodge XI of Keystone Area Council and Tuckahoe Lodge 386 of York–Adams Area Council in 2010. As the New Birth of Freedom Council operated in its inaugural year, the two Order of the Arrow lodges began their consolidation.

The officers, advisors, and members of each lodge worked diligently throughout 2010 to construct guiding documents, develop program opportunities, and cultivate traditions of the new lodge. Mr. Jeff Richter was appointed as the inaugural lodge advisor. At one of the first merged council events, Wizard Safari held at Wizard Ranch, an election was held to elect the first slate of lodge officers. Justin Eberly was elected as the inaugural lodge chief.

At a special meeting in October 2010, the name "Sasquesahanough" was selected to be the lodge name. The name reflects the 1612 spelling of Susquehanna River and reflects the region covered by the lodge. The phoenix was selected to be the lodge totem. The phoenix represents the Sasquesahanough Lodge's emergence from the legacy lodges as a new entity.

[4]

## See also

[edit]

* Scouting in Pennsylvania
* Troop 54 of Roundtown, Pa

## External links

[edit]

* New Birth of Freedom Council Website
* Camp Tuckahoe Website
* Hidden Valley Scout Reservation Website
* Wizard Ranch Website
* Sasquesahanough Lodge Website

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Camp Conewago". newbirthoffreedom.org.
2. ^ "Scouts BSA Summer Camp – Hidden Valley & Camp Tuckahoe".
3. ^ "Wizard Ranch".
4. ^ "Sasquesahanough". Sasquesahanough Lodge. Retrieved December 9, 2022.

* v
* t
* e

Summer camps in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania

Camps|

* B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp (Lake Como)
* Camp Canadensis (Canadensis)
* Camp Equinunk and Blue Ridge (Equinunk)
* YMCA Camp Fitch (Springfield, Erie County)
* Camp Galil (Ottsville)
* Pinemere Camp (Stroudsburg)
* Camp Poyntelle (Poyntelle, Pennsylvania)
* Camp Ramah (Lakewood)
* Camp Stone (Sugar Grove)
* Camp Susque (Trout Run)
* Tyler Hill Camp (Pocono Mountains)
* Camp Watonka (Hawley)
* Woodward Camp (Woodward)

Boy Scout camps|

* Camp Minsi (Pocono Summit)
* Musser Reservation (Marlborough)
* Camp Ockanickon (Pipersville)
* Resica Falls Scout Reservation (East Stroudsburg)
* Treasure Island (Point Pleasant)
* Trexler Scout Reservation (Jonas)
* Camp Tuckahoe (Dillsburg)

* v
* t
* e

Scouting America

Organization

* Scouting America
* Cub Scouts
* Scouts BSA
* Varsity Scouting
* Venturing
* Sea Scouts
* Order of the Arrow
* National Eagle Scout Association
* Learning for Life
* Exploring
* Explorer Search and Rescue
* Fire Service Exploring
* Law Enforcement Exploring

Advancement and recognition

* Advancement and recognition

* Scouts BSA and Varsity Scouting awards

* Ranks
* Eagle Scout
* First Class Scout
* Merit badge
* Order of the Arrow honors and awards

* Venturing and Sea Scouting awards

* Quartermaster Award
* Ranger Award
* Summit Award

* Distinguished service awards

* Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
* Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
* Silver Beaver Award
* Silver Antelope Award
* Silver Buffalo Award
* Silver World Award

* Other awards

* 50-Miler Award
* Historic Trails Award
* International Spirit Award
* Religious emblems programs
* Spirit of the Eagle Award
* Square knot insignia
* BSA Distinguished Conservation Awards
* World Conservation Award
* Young American Award

Leadership, training, and awards

* Leadership
* Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops
* Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews
* National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
* National Youth Leadership Training
* National Youth Leadership Training Leadership Academy
* Kodiak
* Powder Horn
* Scouter's Key Award
* Scouter's Training Award
* Seabadge
* Wood Badge
* Youth Protection program

People

* Chief Scout Executive
* National president
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award
* Eagle Scouts
* Recipients of the Silver Buffalo Award
Daniel Carter Beard
* William D. Boyce
* Charles Eastman
* Carroll A. Edson
* E. Urner Goodman
* William Hillcourt
* Ernest Thompson Seton
* Unknown Scout
* James E. West

Events

* Camporee
* Klondike derby
* Order of the Arrow national events
* National Scout jamboree
* Operation On-Target
* Pinewood derby
* COPE
* Raingutter regatta
* Space derby
* Strengthen the Arm of Liberty

Other

* Boy Scout Handbook
* Boy Scout Memorial
* Scout Life
* Scouting
* Alpha Phi Omega
* Epsilon Tau Pi
* History of merit badges
* History
* Norman Rockwell calendar illustrations
* Scouting in popular culture
* The Ideal Scout
* Trail's End popcorn
* Tribe of Mic-O-Say
* Uniform and insignia

Issues

* Membership controversies
* Sex abuse
* Boy Scouts of America sexual abuse settlement (2022)
* Barnes-Wallace v. Boy Scouts of America
* Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act
* Boy Scouts of America v. Dale
* Cradle of Liberty Council v. City of Philadelphia
* Curran v. Mount Diablo Council of the Boy Scouts of America
* Evans v. Berkeley
* Randall v. Orange County Council
* Scouting for All
* Support Our Scouts Act
* Welsh v. Boy Scouts of America
* Winkler v. Rumsfeld
* Wrenn v. Boy Scouts of America
* Yeaw v. Boy Scouts of America

National Service Territories and councils

* National Service Territories

* Abraham Lincoln Council
* Alabama-Florida Council
* Alamo Area Council
* Allegheny Highlands Council
* Allohak Council
* Aloha Council
* Andrew Jackson Council
* Anthony Wayne Area Council
* Arbuckle Area Council
* Atlanta Area Council
* Baden-Powell Council
* Baltimore Area Council
* Bay Area Council
* Bay-Lakes Council
* Black Hills Area Council
* Black Swamp Area Council
* Black Warrior Council
* Blackhawk Area Council
* Blue Grass Council
* Blue Mountain Council
* Blue Ridge Council
* Buckeye Council
* Buckskin Council
* Bucktail Council
* Buffalo Trace Council
* Buffalo Trail Council
* Caddo Area Council
* Calcasieu Area Council
* California Inland Empire Council
* Cape Cod and the Islands Council
* Cape Fear Council
* Capitol Area Council
* Cascade Pacific Council
* Catalina Council
* Central Florida Council
* Central Georgia Council
* Central Minnesota Council
* Central North Carolina Council
* Central Wyoming Council
* Chattahoochee Council
* Cherokee Area Council (Oklahoma)
* Cherokee Area Council (Tennessee)
* Chester County Council
* Chickasaw Council
* Chief Cornplanter Council
* Chief Seattle Council
* Chippewa Valley Council
* Choctaw Area Council
* Cimarron Council
* Circle Ten Council
* Coastal Carolina Council
* Colonial Virginia Council
* Columbia-Montour Council
* Connecticut Rivers Council
* Connecticut Yankee Council
* Conquistador Council
* Cornhusker Council
* Coronado Area Council
* Cradle of Liberty Council
* Crater Lake Council
* Crossroads of America Council
* Dan Beard Council
* Daniel Boone Council
* Daniel Webster Council
* De Soto Area Council
* Del-Mar-Va Council
* Denver Area Council
* East Carolina Council
* East Texas Area Council
* Erie Shores Council
* Evangeline Area Council
* Far East Council
* Five Rivers Council
* Flint River Council
* French Creek Council
* Gamehaven Council
* Garden State Council
* Gateway Area Council
* Coastal Georgia Council
* Georgia-Carolina Council
* Glacier's Edge Council
* Golden Empire Council
* Golden Spread Council
* Grand Canyon Council
* Grand Columbia Council
* Grand Teton Council
* Great Alaska Council
* Great Rivers Council
* Great Salt Lake Council
* Great Smoky Mountain Council
* Great Southwest Council
* Great Trail Council
* Greater Alabama Council
* Greater Cleveland Council
* Greater Los Angeles Area Council
* Greater New York Councils
* Greater Niagara Frontier Council
* Greater St. Louis Area Council
* Greater Tampa Bay Area Council
* Greater Western Reserve Council
* Greater Yosemite Council
* Green Mountain Council
* Greenwich Council
* Gulf Coast Council
* Gulf Stream Council
* Hawk Mountain Council
* Hawkeye Area Council
* Heart of America Council
* Heart of New England Council
* Heart of Ohio Council
* Heart of Virginia Council
* Hoosier Trails Council
* Hudson Valley Council
* Illowa Council
* Indian Nations Council
* Indian Waters Council
* Inland Northwest Council
* Iroquois Trail Council
* Istrouma Area Council
* Jayhawk Area Council
* Jersey Shore Council
* Juniata Valley Council
* Katahdin Area Council
* La Salle Council
* Las Vegas Area Council
* Last Frontier Council
* Laurel Highlands Council
* Lewis & Clark Council
* Lincoln Heritage Council
* Lincoln Trails Council
* Long Beach Area Council
* Longhorn Council
* Longhouse Council
* Longs Peak Council
* Los Angeles Area Council
* Los Padres Council
* Louisiana Purchase Council
* Marin Council
* Mason-Dixon Council
* Maui County Council
* Mayflower Council
* Mecklenburg County Council
* Miami Valley Council
* Michigan Crossroads Council
* Great Lakes Field Service Council
* President Gerald R. Ford Field Service Council
* Southern Shores Field Service Council
* Water and Woods Field Service Council
* Mid-America Council
* Mid-Iowa Council
* Middle Tennessee Council
* Midnight Sun Council
* Minsi Trails Council
* Mississippi Valley Council
* Mobile Area Council
* Monmouth Council
* Montana Council
* Moraine Trails Council
* Mount Baker Council
* Mountaineer Area Council
* Muskingum Valley Council
* Narragansett Council
* National Capital Area Council
* NeTseO Trails Council
* Nevada Area Council
* New Birth of Freedom Council
* North Florida Council
* Northeast Georgia Council
* Northeast Illinois Council
* Northeast Iowa Council
* Northeastern Pennsylvania Council
* Northern Lights Council
* Northern New Jersey Council
* Northern Star Council
* Northwest Georgia Council
* Northwest Texas Council
* Norwela Council
* Occoneechee Council
* Ohio River Valley Council
* Old Hickory Council
* Old North State Council
* Orange County Council
* Ore-Ida Council
* Oregon Trail Council
* Otschodela Council
* Overland Trails Council
* Ozark Trails Council
* Pacific Harbors Council
* Pacific Skyline Council
* Palmetto Council
* Pathway to Adventure Council
* Patriots' Path Council
* Pee Dee Area Council
* Pennsylvania Dutch Council
* Piedmont Council (California)
* Piedmont Council (North Carolina)
* Pikes Peak Council
* Pine Burr Area Council
* Pine Tree Council
* Pony Express Council
* Potawatomi Area Council
* Prairielands Council
* Puerto Rico Council
* Pushmataha Area Council
* Quapaw Area Council
* Quivira Council
* Rainbow Council
* Redwood Empire Council
* Revolutionary Trails Council
* Rio Grande Council
* Rip Van Winkle Council
* Rocky Mountain Council
* Sagamore Council
* Sam Houston Area Council
* Samoset Council
* San Francisco Bay Area Council
* San Gabriel Valley Council
* Santa Fe Trail Council
* Seneca Waterways Council
* Sequoia Council
* Sequoyah Council
* Shenandoah Area Council
* Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council
* Sioux Council
* Snake River Council
* South Florida Council
* South Georgia Council
* South Plains Council
* South Texas Council
* Southeast Louisiana Council
* Southern Sierra Council
* Southwest Florida Council
* Spirit of Adventure Council
* Virginia Headwaters Council
* Suffolk County Council
* Susquehanna Council
* Suwannee River Area Council
* Tecumseh Council
* Texas Southwest Council
* Texas Trails Council
* Theodore Roosevelt Council
* Three Fires Council
* Three Harbors Council
* Three Rivers Council
* Tidewater Council
* Transatlantic Council
* Trapper Trails Council
* Tukabatchee Area Council
* Tuscarora Council
* Twin Rivers Council
* Twin Valley Council
* Utah National Parks Council
* Ventura County Council
* Verdugo Hills Council
* Virginia Headwaters Council
* Voyageurs Area Council
* W. D. Boyce Council
* Washington Crossing Council
* West Tennessee Area Council
* Westark Area Council
* Westchester–Putnam Council
* Western Colorado Council
* Western Los Angeles County Council
* Western Massachusetts Council
* Westmoreland-Fayette Council
* Winnebago Council
* Yocona Area Council
* Yucca Council
* Direct Service

Locations

* High Adventure bases of Scouting America
* Northern Tier High Adventure
* Sea Base
* Philmont Scout Ranch
* The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve
* National Scouting Museum
* BSA National Headquarters in Irving, Texas

* v
* t
* e

Scouting and Guiding topics

Movement|

* Scouting
* Scouting for Boys
* Scouting Round the World
* Scout method
* Scout Law
* Scout Promise
* Scout Motto
* Wood Badge
* Girl Guides
* Jamboree
* World Scout Jamboree
* World Scout Moot
* Scout Leader
* Non-aligned organisations
* Scouting controversy and conflict
* Traditional Scouting
* Scouting in popular culture
* List of Scouts
* List of highest awards in Scouting

Sections|

* Age groups in Scouting and Guiding
* Beavers
* Cub Scout
* Scout
* Venture Scout
* Rover Scout
* Rainbow Guides
* Brownie Guides
* Girl Guides
* Ranger Guides
* Air Scouts
* Extension Scouting
* Lone Scouts
* Lone Guides
* Sea Scout

Pioneers|

* Robert Baden-Powell
* Olave Baden-Powell
* Agnes Baden-Powell
* Daniel Carter Beard
* Frederick Russell Burnham
* Lawrie Dring
* Charles Eastman
* Bear Grylls
* William Hillcourt
* László Nagy
* Ernest Thompson Seton
* Jacques Sevin
* Francis Fletcher-Vane
* J. S. Wilson

Places|

* Baden-Powell House
* Brownsea Island
* Edith Macy Conference Center
* Foxlease
* Gilwell Park
* Kandersteg
* Pax Hill
* Philmont
* Scouting memorials
* Baden-Powell grave
* Scouting museums
* WAGGGS World Centres
* Kusafiri
* Nuestra Cabaña
* Our Chalet
* Pax Lodge
* Sangam

International
organisations|

* Confederation of European Scouts
* International Catholic Conference of Scouting
* International Union of Guides and Scouts of Europe
* International Scout and Guide Fellowship
* Order of World Scouts
* World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
* World Federation of Independent Scouts
* World Organization of Independent Scouts
* World Organization of the Scout Movement

Other|

* B-P's footprint
* Ging Gang Goolie
* International Scouting Collectors Association
* Oldest Scout groups
* Outdoor Code
* Leave No Trace
* Religion in Scouting
* Scout handshake
* Scout prayers
* Scout sign and salute
* Scout Spirit
* Scouting memorabilia collecting
* The Handbook for Girl Guides
* The Hackney Scout Song Book
* The Jungle Book and Scouting
* The Wolf Cub's Handbook
* SPICES
* A Boy Scout Around the World
* World Scout Emblem

* Scouting portal

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template