Scouting in Pennsylvania

* Troop 152 Scouts, Philadelphia, at Scout Sunday Service at the St Francis de Sales church

* Valley Forge Trail Medal

* Girl Scout working on her Gold Award Project

* Camp Archbald Sign

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Scouting portal

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

[edit]

### Early history (1908–1950)

[edit]

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.[3][4][5]

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.

In 1924, the McKean County Council (#499) was formed, changing its name to the McKean-Potter Area Council (#499) in 1926. In 1936, the council changed its name to the McKean-Potter Area Council (#499) in 1936. In 1947, the council changed its name to the Elk Lick Council (#499).[a]

### Recent history (1950–1990)

[edit]

The 1950 National Scout Jamboree was held at Valley Forge. That positive experience led to National Jamborees in 1957 and 1964 as well.

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

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 Allegheny Trails Council. This council merged again in 1993 with East Valley Council to become the 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 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.

In 1973, the Allegheny Highlands Council (#382) was formed from a merger of the Seneca Council (#750) and the Elk Lick Council (#499).[a]

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 Scouts of America in Pennsylvania Today

[edit]

### Bucktail Council

[edit]

The Bucktail Council of the Boy Scouts of America serves Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, and the western portions of Centre County. The Council was organized on July 24, 1930, and is headquartered in DuBois. It adopted its constitution and by-laws on April 28, 1931, thanks to the efforts of John Q. Groves of Dubois.[6] The Council unified several independent Boy Scout troops from the surrounding areas, including Brockway, Brookville, Clearfield, DuBois, Johnsonburg, Mahaffey, Philipsburg, Reynoldsville, Ridgway, and St. Marys, under a single leadership.

The first Council President was Lyle G. Hall (1930–1938, 1971), the first Council Scout Executive was H. B. Knepper (1930–1937), and the first Council Commissioner was H. T. Gray.

The Council's name references the 13th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment, also known as “Bucktails,” a volunteer infantry regiment that served in the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War.[7] When the regiment was first forming, one recruit —many of whom were woodsmen and lumbermen— decorated his hat with the tail of a white-tailed deer he had found in a butcher shop. Other men adopted the decoration, and the regiment came to be known as the “Bucktails.”[8]

On July 23, 2025, the leadership of Bucktail Council held a public meeting titled “The Future of Bucktail Council” at Camp Mountain Run, to address the Council’s financial status and long-term viability, including the future of Camp Mountain Run. During the meeting, Council leadership cited declining participation, outstanding debts, recent staff turnover, and a conditionally approved charter from the Scouting America National Council. As a result, Council leadership announced the serious consideration of a merger with the Laurel Highlands Council, based in Pittsburgh, as well as the sale of the nearly 100-year-old Camp Mountain Run. However, no final decision has been made.[9]

Bucktail Council #509

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| DuBois
Location| Pennsylvania, United States
Founded| 1931
Scout Executive| Vacant
President| Ryan P. Sayers, Esq.
Commissioner| Jim Davis
Camping Committee Chair| Scott Creighton
OA Lodge Advisor| Andrew Klark
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Website
bucktail.org
Scouting portal

#### District

[edit]

The Bucktail Council has a single district: PA Eastern Wilds. The district covers the following school districts: Cameron County, St. Mary’s, Bald Eagle, Clearfield, Curwensville, Moshannon Valley, West Branch, Philipsburg-Osceola, Johnsonburg, Ridgway, Brockway, DuBois, Brookville, Clarion-Limestone, and Punxsutawney.[10]

#### Camps

[edit]

* Camp Mountain Run

In 1931, the Council used Camp Coffman, then part of the Oil City Scout Council (now part of French Creek Council), for its first summer camp program. On May 1, 1932, the Bucktail Council Camp Committee reported that it had inspected two potential sites for a permanent Council camp: one near East Branch Clarion River in Elk County, and another near a beaver dam along Mountain Run Stream in Penfield, Clearfield County. The Council approved the leasing of the Mountain Run site, which would be developed into the 380+ acre Camp Mountain Run Scout Camp.[6]

The land was initially leased from the Kersey Mining Company and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 1939, the Shawmut Mining Company, which had acquired Kersey's portion, sold its tract to the Council for one dollar. In 1962, through the efforts of J. Hall Stackpole (Seventh President, 1957–1960), his company, the Stackpole Carbon Company, arranged a land trade of 614 acres for the 307 acres still owned by the Commonwealth, which he then deeded to the Council.[8]

The Stackpole Carbon Company’s generosity continued with the construction and funding of the original swimming pool in 1935, and additional funding in 1960 for the renovation of the pool's filtration system. In 1970, the Stackpole-Hall Foundation provided a substantial donation for the expansion and renovation of the Camp’s dining hall.[8]

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Ah'Tic Lodge #139

In the spring of 1937, leaders of Bucktail Council sought to recognize those Scouts and Scouters who were “Honor Campers,” those who best exemplified the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law, creating a Camp Honor Society for this purpose. In January 1938, the Council’s Executive Board voted to apply for a charter from the Order of the Arrow (OA).

This initiative, led by John H. Keller (Second Council Executive, 1937–1942), established the lodge’s charter membership from members of the original Honor Camper Society. On June 1, 1938, a ceremonial team from Camp Twin Echo visited Camp Mountain Run to induct the first members into the Council's OA Lodge.

The first official meeting of the Council's OA Lodge was held July 27, 1938. The name “Ah’Tic,” meaning “Standing Elk,” in the Chippewa language, was chosen in reference to the large elk population in the nearby area.[8]

### Chester County Council

[edit]

Main article: Chester County Council

Chester County Council (#539)

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Location| West Chester
Country| United States
President| Steve Carroll
Council Commissioner| Gus Sauerzopf
Scout Executive| Jacob Segal
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Website
http://www.cccbsa.org
Scouting portal

The Chester County Council is a Boy Scouts of America service council that serves members of the Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing programs in Chester County, Pennsylvania and Northeastern Cecil County, Maryland.[citation needed]

#### Camps

[edit]

Horseshoe Scout Reservation

* Camp Ware (Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania)
* Camp Horseshoe (Rising Sun, Maryland)

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

### Chief Cornplanter Council

[edit]

Chief Cornplanter Council #538

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Warren
Country| United States
Scout Executive| Raymond Tennent
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Website
cornplanterbsa.org
Scouting portal

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.[11]

#### Camps

[edit]

* Camp Olmsted

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Gyantwachia Lodge #255

### Columbia-Montour Council

[edit]

This section needs expansion with: examples and additional citations. You can help by adding to it. (March 2013)

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Columbia-Montour Council #504

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Bloomsburg
President| Barry Lewis
Commissioner| Rose Rhoads
Scout Executive| Paul Knox
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Website
columbiamontourbsa.org
Scouting portal

Columbia-Mountour Council is headquartered in Bloomsburg. It serves Columbia and Montour counties. The council operates Camp Lavigne with an office at 35 Camp Lavigne Road, Benton. During the summer season Camp Lavigne conducts a Boy Scout summer camp program, Cub Scout and Webelos Scout resident program, as well as a Cub Day Camp program. During the non-summer season, Camp Lavigne hosts a Klondike Derby, Cub Winter Fun Day, Orienteering Competition, Cub Skill Weekend, and Haunted Harvest Fest. The council's Order of the Arrow lodge is Wyona Lodge #18.

### Cradle of Liberty Council

[edit]

Main article: Cradle of Liberty Council

Cradle of Liberty Council #525

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Philadelphia
Country| United States
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
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Website
http://www.colbsa.org/
Scouting portal

The Cradle of Liberty Council (#525) is a Boy Scouts of America council created in 1996 with the merger of the former Philadelphia Council (covering the city and county of Philadelphia) and the former Valley Forge Council (covering Delaware and Montgomery counties).

#### Camps

[edit]

* Resica Falls Scout Reservation (East Stroudsburg)
* Musser Scout Reservation (Marlborough Township)
* Treasure Island Scout Reservation (closed)

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Unami Lodge #1

### French Creek Council

[edit]

Main article: French Creek Council

French Creek Council (#532)

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Erie
Country| United States
Founded| 1972
President| Patty Meehan
Scout Executive| Steven E. Dunn
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Website
Frenchcreek-BSA.org
Scouting portal

The French Creek Council serves scouts in six counties in northwestern Pennsylvania and Brookfield 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. The council is divided into three districts, Oliver Perry, Colonel Drake and Chief Kiondashawa, to effectively execute operations across Northwest Pennsylvania.

#### Camps

[edit]

* Custaloga Town Scout Reservation (Carlton)

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Langundowi Lodge #46

### Hawk Mountain Council

[edit]

Main article: Hawk Mountain Council

Hawk Mountain Council #528

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Reading
Country| United States
Founded| 1970
President| Jeffrey Euclide
Scout Executive| James Milham
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Website
hmc-bsa.org
Scouting portal

The Hawk Mountain Council serves Berks, Schuylkill, and Carbon counties in Pennsylvania. The council has headquarters near Reading, PA. The Council was formed in 1970 with the merger of the Appalachian Trail and Daniel Boone councils.[12]

#### Camps

[edit]

* Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Kittatinny Lodge #5

### Juniata Valley Council

[edit]

This section needs expansion with: examples and additional citations. You can help by adding to it. (March 2013)

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Juniata Valley Council CSP (#497)

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Reedsville
Country| United States
Scout Executive| Jeffery Pickett
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Website
jvcbsa.org
Scouting portal

Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre & Juniata Counties

#### Camps

[edit]

* Seven Mountains Scout Camp

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Monaken Lodge #103

### Laurel Highlands Council

[edit]

This section needs expansion with: examples and additional citations. You can help by adding to it. (March 2013)

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Laurel Highlands Council

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Pittsburgh
Country| United States
Founded| July 1, 2011
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Website
https://www.lhcscouting.org/
Scouting portal

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

[edit]

* Camp Anawanna
* Camp Baker
* Camp Guyasuta
* Heritage Reservation (containing camps Liberty, Freedom, Eagle Base, and Independence)
* Camp Potomac
* Camp Seph Mack
* Camp Twin Echo. (1928-2020) closed July 2020

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Allohak Menewi Lodge 57

### Minsi Trails Council

[edit]

Main article: Minsi Trails Council

Minsi Trails Council #502

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Allentown
Founded| 1969
President| Dave Zinkler
Commissioner| Lew Dryfoos
Scout Executive| Rick Christ
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Website
minsitrails.com
Scouting portal

Minsi Trails Council 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.

#### Districts

[edit]

* Anthracite District
* Forks of Delaware District
* North Valley District
* Pocono District
* South Mountain District
* Trexler District

On January 1, 2021 Minsi Trails Council realigned its districts by counties to form Carbon-Luzerne District, Lehigh District, Monroe District, Northampton District, and Warren District.

#### Camps

[edit]

* Camp Minsi (Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania)
* Trexler Scout Reservation (Jonas, Pennsylvania) Now no longer a Scout camp. Final season was 2023

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Witauchsoman Lodge #44

### Moraine Trails Council

[edit]

This section needs expansion with: examples and additional citations. You can help by adding to it. (March 2013)

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Moraine Trails Council #500

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Butler
Location| Lawrence, Butler, Armstrong, and NW Westmoreland counties; Pennsylvania
Country| United States
Scout Executive| Ray Tennent
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Website
morainetrails.org
Scouting portal

#### Districts

[edit]

* Glacier Ridge District (Butler)
* King Beaver District (Lawrence)
* River Valley District (Armstrong/NW Westmoreland Counties)

#### Camps

[edit]

* Camp Bucoco [13]

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Kuskitannee Lodge #168

### New Birth of Freedom Council

[edit]

Main article: 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
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Website
newbirthoffreedom.org
Scouting portal

The New Birth of Freedom Council serves 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

[edit]

Main article: Northeastern Pennsylvania Council

Northeastern Pennsylvania Council #501

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Moosic
Country| United States
Founded| 1990
President| Marianne Gilmartin
Commissioner| Rick Stritzinger
Scout Executive| Mark Barbernitz
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Website
nepabsa.org
Scouting portal

Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, with headquarters in Moosic, formed in 1990 from the merger of the Forest Lakes and Penn Mountains councils. The council serves units in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Its Order of the Arrow lodge is Lowwapaneu Lodge #191. It has two districts: Two Mountains and Dan Beard. The council operates two camps: Goose Pond Scout Reservation and Camp Acahela. Since its founding the council has conducted a biennial Traveling Camporee that takes Scouts to camp at locations that rotate among Williamsburg, Virginia, Baltimore Maryland, Boston, Massachusetts, Niagara Falls, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[citation needed]

Camps

* Camp Acahela
* Goose Pond Scout Reservation

### Pennsylvania Dutch Council

[edit]

This section needs expansion with: examples and additional citations. You can help by adding to it. (March 2013)

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Pennsylvania Dutch Council #524

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Lancaster
Founded| 1971
Scout Executive| Matthew Klutzaritz
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Website
padutchbsa.org
Scouting portal

Pennsylvania Dutch Council is in south-central Pennsylvania serving Lebanon and Lancaster counties. The council has two districts: Iron Forge and Susquehanna.

#### Camps-

[edit]

* Bashore Scout Reservation
* J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Wunita Gokhos Lodge #39[14]

### Susquehanna Council

[edit]

This section needs expansion with: examples and additional citations. You can help by adding to it. (March 2013)

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Susquehanna Council #533

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Williamsport
Country| United States
President| Robert Dluge[15]
Council Commissioner| R. "Butch" McCusker[15]
Scout Executive| Dennis Dugan[16]
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Website
susquehannabsa.org
Scouting portal

#### Camps

[edit]

* Camp Karoondinha (Glen Iron)

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Woapeu Sisilija Lodge #343

### Washington Crossing Council

[edit]

Main article: Washington Crossing Council

Washington Crossing Council(#777)

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Doylestown
Country| United States
President| William Pfundt
Scout Executive| Magne Gundersen
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Website
wccscounting.org
Scouting portal

The Washington Crossing Council (formerly Bucks County Council)mserves Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Hunterdon County, NJ, and Mercer County, NJ.

### Westmoreland-Fayette Council

[edit]

The Westmoreland Fayette Council was formed in 1937. The council is made up of three districts, Old Trails District based primarily out of Fayette County, Bushy Run District based primarily in Westmoreland County along with Laurel Hills District also based primarily in Westmoreland County. Throughout the time in which the council has been serving there have been 6 different districts. These districts were Braddock Trails, Bushy Run, Chestnut Ridge, Forbes, Laurel Hills, and Old Trails Districts.

Westmoreland-Fayette Council #512

Owner| Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters| Greensburg
Scout Executive| Marcus Ragland
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Website
wfbsa.org
Scouting portal

#### Camps

[edit]

* Camp Conestoga
* Camp Buck Run
* Camp Tenacharison

#### Past camps

[edit]

* Camp Wesco
* Camp Wildwood
* Camp Pleasant
* Camp Paul Bunyan

#### Order of the Arrow

[edit]

* Wagion Lodge #6 [17]

## Non-Pennsylvania-based Boy Scout councils

[edit]

### Allegheny Highlands Council

[edit]

Main article: Allegheny Highlands Council

### Baden-Powell Council

[edit]

Main article: Baden-Powell Council

### Five Rivers Council

[edit]

Main article: Five Rivers Council

### Potomac Council

[edit]

Main article: Potomac Council

### Mason-Dixon Council

[edit]

Main article: Mason-Dixon Council

## Girl Scouting today

[edit]

This section needs expansion with: examples and additional citations. You can help by adding to it. (March 2013)

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Girl Scouting in Pennsylvania

Map of Girl Scout Councils in Pennsylvania

|  |

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Scouting portal

### Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

[edit]

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania was formed on May 1, 2007 through the merger of Hemlock (Harrisburg), Penn Laurel (York), Penn's Woods (Wilkes-Barre), and Scranton-Pocono (Scranton) Girl Scout councils.[18][19]

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

Owner| GSUSA
Headquarters| Camp Hill[20]
Country| United States
President and CEO| Janet Donovan[21][22]
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Website
www.gshpa.org
Scouting portal

#### Camps

[edit]

* Camp Archbald (Susquehanna County). Established in 1920.[23][24]
* Camp Happy Valley (Adams County)[25]
* Camp Furnace Hills (Lancaster County)[26]
* Camp Small Valley (Dauphin County). At 762 acres (308 ha) is the largest of the council's camps [27]

Past Camps:

* Camp Echo Trail (York County)
* Camp Golden Pond (Huntingdon County)

### Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania

[edit]

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania was created by a merger on April 28, 2007 between the Girl Scouts of Freedom Valley, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Great Valley Councils. The merger became effective on May 1. Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania serves Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Philadelphia counties.[28]

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania

Owner| GSUSA
Headquarters| Miquon[29]
Country| United States
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Website
gsep.org
Scouting portal

#### Camps

[edit]

* Camp Mosey Wood is a year-round camp in Kidder Township (Carbon County). The camp is 425 acres (172 ha) with a 13-acre (5.3 ha) lake.[30]
* Camp Wood Haven (Schuylkill County)[31]
* Camp Laughing Waters in Gilbertsville (Montgomery County) is 400 acres (160 ha)[32]
* Camp Shelly Ridge in Miquon (Montgomery County) also serves as the council headquarters.[33]
* Camp Mountain House is a day camp in the Lehigh Valley (Salisbury Township, Lehigh County)[34][35]
* Valley Forge Day Camp (Valley Forge)[36]

#### Past camps

[edit]

* Camp Hidden Falls (Dingmans Ferry)
* Camp Tohikanee (Quakertown)
* Camp Tweedale (Oxford)

#### Divesting in camps

[edit]

According to a June 16, 2011 report, the council has decided to divest in Camp Tweedale, Camp Tohikanee, and Camp Hidden Falls.[37] Camp Hidden Falls closed in 2012, while Camp Tweedale and Camp Tohikanee closed in 2015. [38] In 2018, Hidden Falls became a part of the National Park Service's Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.[39] Camp Tweedale was sold to the Chester Water Authority in 2016.[40]

### Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania

[edit]

The Western Pennsylvania Council was formed through the merger of five regional councils:[41] Keystone, Girl Scouts of Beaver and Lawrence Counties, Girl Scouts of Penn Lakes Council, Girl Scouts of Talus Rock Council and Girl Scouts-Trillium Council.

Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania

Owner| GSUSA
Headquarters| Pittsburgh
Country| United States
Scout Executive| Patricia A. Burkart
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Website
gswpa.org
Scouting portal

#### Camps

[edit]

* Camp Conshatawba (Ebensburg)
* Camp Hawthorne Ridge is 207 acres (0.84 km2) in Fairview Township, Erie County
* Camp Redwing (Renfrew)
* Camp Skymeadow (Avonmore)

## Non-Pennsylvania-based Girl Scout councils

[edit]

### Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways

[edit]

Main article: Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways

## International Scouting units

[edit]

* There are Homenetmen Armenian Scouts in Philadelphia.[42]
* Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség Hungarian Scouting maintains two troops in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh.

## See also

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scouting in Pennsylvania.

## Notes

[edit]

1. Hook, James; Franck, Dave; Austin, Steve (1982). An Aid to Collecting Selected Council Shoulder Patches with Valuation.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ legis.state.pa.us
4. ^ doubleknot.com
5. ^ Warren Times-Mirror February 9, 1967
6. ^ a b "DuBois Area Historical Society, Inc. :: Spring Walk At Camp Mountain Run, May 8". duboishs.com. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
7. ^ Rauch, William H.; Thomson, O. R. Howard (1906). History of the Bucktails: Kane Rifle Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps (13th Pennsylvania Reserves, 42nd of the Line). Electric Printing Company.
8. ^ a b c d "The History of Ah'tic Lodge – Scouting Memories". scoutingmemories.org. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
9. ^ staff, WJAC (2025-07-24). "Camp Mountain Run faces 'uncertain future' as scout numbers dwindle in Clearfield County". WJAC. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
10. ^ "Districts". Bucktail Council. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
11. ^ "cccbsa Website". Retrieved 27 October 2016.
12. ^ On My Honor - The Hawk Mountain Council Story ... 1908-2010. Hawk Mountain Council. p. 85.
13. ^ "BSA Camp Bucoco | BSA: Moraine Trails Council". www.morainetrails.org. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
14. ^ "Wunita Gokhos". Retrieved 27 October 2016.
15. ^ a b "Staff Assignments".
16. ^ "Connect".
17. ^ www.wagion.org
18. ^ "Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
19. ^ Shenk, Rochelle A. "Penn Laurel Girl Scouts involved in May 1 merger". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
20. ^ "Offices". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
21. ^ "Leadership". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
22. ^ "Girl Scouts name new CEO". Times News Online. 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
23. ^ "Camp Archbald". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
24. ^ "About Camp Archbald". Supporters of Camp Archbald. Retrieved 17 May 2025. Gives a history of the camp.
25. ^ "Camp Happy Valley". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
26. ^ "Camp Furnace Hills". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
27. ^ "Camp Small Valley". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
28. ^ "Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, About Us". Girl Scouts of Eastern PA. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
29. ^ "Contact Us | Girl Scouts". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
30. ^ "Mosey Wood". Girl Scouts of Eastern PA. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
31. ^ "Camp Wood Haven". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
32. ^ "Camp Laughing Waters". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
33. ^ "Camp Shelly Ridge". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
34. ^ "Camp Mountain House". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
35. ^ "Camp Mountain House" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2025.
36. ^ "Camp Valley Forge". Girl Scouts of the USA. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
37. ^ "Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania - GSEP Property Blog". Archived from the original on 2011-06-25. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
38. ^ https://www.facebook.com/SaveCampTweedaleAndTohi/ [user-generated source]
39. ^ "Camp Hidden Falls saved". Natural Lands. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
40. ^ "Save Camp Tweedale! Facebook Group". Facebook.
41. ^ Rittmeyer, Brian C. "5 Girl Scout councils will merge". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
42. ^ St. Gregory the Illuminator, Armenian Apostolic Church, http://www.saintgregory-phily.org,

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Scouting in the United States

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