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Scouting in New York 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. The first National Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Headquarters was in New York City, and the Girl Scouts of the USA National Headquarters is currently located at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Early history (1910-1950)
On September 10, 1910, S. F. Lester of Troy, New York, became the first person to hold the Scouting leadership position of Scoutmaster (approved by the BSA). He received his certification from the BSA headquarters in New York City. In 1910 he led a group of 30 scouts at Camp Ilium, in Pownal, Vermont. Camp Ilium was the starting point of the Boy Scout Movement for Troy, and Pownal. Pownal is only away from Troy.
Following the lead of the State of Michigan, the State of New York formed its own Forest Scouts. This group was formed in response to a number of late 19th century and early 20th century forest fires and were effectively "auxiliary fire wardens".
The 1924 National Order of the Arrow Lodge Meeting was held at Kanohwanke Scout Camp near Tuxedo, New York and the 1929 National Lodge Meeting was held at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Boy Scouts of America National Headquarters were established in 1910 in New York City and opened in January 1911.
Recent history (1950-present)
In the 1970s and again in the 1990s, upstate New York went through a huge consolidation of small, historic councils.
Scouting today
Boy Scouts
There are fourteen Boy Scouts of America (BSA) local councils in New York.
Allegheny Highlands Council
The Allegheny Highlands Council serves Scouts in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties in New York and McKean and Potter counties in Pennsylvania. Its Service Center is located in Falconer, New York.
History
In 1917, the Dunkirk Council was formed, closing in 1918.
In 1917, the Olean Council was formed, closing in 1918.
In 1917, the Salamanca Council was formed, closing in 1919.
In 1917, the Jamestown Council (#382) was formed, changing its name to the Chautauqua County Council (#382) in 1925. It changed its name again to the Chautauqua Lake Area Council (#382) in 1932.
In 1932, Chautauqua Lake Area Council (#382) was created, and in 1929 the Lake Shore Council (#407) was created. Both councils merged in 1941 to become the Chautauqua County Council (#382).
In 1926, the Cattaraugus Council (#750) was formed, changing its name to the Seneca Council (#750) in 1929.
In 1973, the Allegheny Highlands Council (#382) was formed from a merger of the Seneca Council (#750), Chautauqua County Council (#382), and the Elk Lick Council (#499).
Organization
The council is divided into two districts:
- Western Gate District
- Two Lakes District
Camps
It has two camps: Camp Merz and Elk Lick Scout Reserve.
Elk Lick is tucked into the heart of the Allegheny Mountains in Smethport, Pennsylvania, and operates exclusively as a Cub Scout summer camp.
Camp Merz is located on Lake Chautauqua, just up the road from the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, and is a Scouts BSA summer camp. Camp Merz has a waterfront and many waterfront-related merit badges available for scouts. Both camps are opens to all scouts for year-round camping.
Order of the Arrow
- Ho-Nan-Ne-Ho-Ont Lodge 165
Baden-Powell Council
The Baden-Powell Council was formed in 1998 by the merger of the former Baden-Powell Council (headquartered in Dryden, New York) and Susquenango Council (headquartered in Binghamton, New York). The council's new headquarters are in Binghamton. The council covers five counties in New York State—Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Tioga and Tompkins—as well as Susquehanna County in Pennsylvania.
History
In 1917, the Cortland Council was founded, closing in 1918. In 1921, the Norwich Council was formed, merging into the Binghamton Council (#368) in 1924.
In 1918 the Binghamton Council (#368) was formed, changing its name to the Susquenango Council (#368) in 1920.
In 1918 the Johnson City and Endicott Council (#383) was formed, changing its name to the Fairplay Council (#383) in 1932.
In 1917 the Ithaca Council (#381) was formed, changing its name to the Thompkins County Council (#381) in 1926. Thompkins County (#381) changed its name to the Louis Agassiz Fuertes Council (#381) in 1929.
In 1925 the Fairplay Council (#383) was formed, merging into the Susquenango Council (#368) in 1932. In 1998, the Susquenango Council (#368) merged with the Baden-Powell Council (#381). The combined councils took the name Baden-Powell and the number (#368).
In 1929 the Louis Agassiz Fuertes Council (#381) was formed. In 1940 the Tioughnioga Council (#383) was formed. In 1975, the two council merged to become the Baden-Powell Council (#381).
In 1998, the Baden-Powell Council (#381) and the Susquenango Council (#368) merged to become Baden-Powell Council (#368).
Organization
As of 2017, the council has four districts:
- Chenango District (Chenango County and part of Broome County)
- Delahanna District (Susquehanna County in Pennsylvania)
- Hiawatha District (Tioga County and part of Broome County)
- Taughannock District (Cortland and Tompkins Counties)
Camps
The Baden-Powell Council operates one Scout Camp:
Tuscarora Scout Reservation is a Boy Scouts of America camp located on 1200 acres (4.5 km<sup>2</sup>) around Summit Lake in New York State's Southern Tier.
The camp has ten summer camping sites with 2-man platform tents.
It formerly operated another:
Camp Barton, founded in 1927, was a Scouts BSA of America camp located on on Frontenac Point on the west shore of Cayuga Lake in New York State's Finger Lakes. It is approximately nine miles north of Ithaca. The camp facilities include many water-based activities on the camp's quarter-mile of waterfront, including rowing, motorboating, sailing, waterskiing, jetskiing and swimming, as well as handicraft, nature, rifle and archery ranges, and scoutcraft areas.
The Camp's buildings and cabins are available for off-season use by Scouting and other youth organizations. The camp was sold from 2022 to 2025 as the council worked to help fund settlements over sex abuse cases filed against the BSA. A large portion of the land was sold to New York State, who opened it to the public as Three Falls State Park.
Order of the Arrow
The corresponding Order of the Arrow lodge is Otahnagon Lodge 172.
Connecticut Rivers Council
The Connecticut Rivers Council serves the majority of the State of Connecticut in addition to Fisher's Island in New York.
The corresponding Order of the Arrow Lodge is Tschitani Lodge #10.
Five Rivers Council
Five Rivers Council serves Scouts in the Southern tier of New York and the Northern tier of Pennsylvania.
History
In 1917, the Hornell Council was founded, closing in 1918. In 1918, the Corning Council was founded, closing in 1919.
In 1915, the Elmira Council (#375) was founded, changing its name to the Chemung County Council (#375) in 1926. In 1927 the council changed its name Elmira Area Council (#375), and again in 1947 to Sullivan Trail Council (#375). In 1922, the Steuben County Council (#402) was founded, changing its name to the Steuben Area Council (#402) in 1931.
In 1991 Steuben Area Council (#402) and Sullivan Trail Council (#375) merged to become the Five Rivers Council (#375). In 1992, General Sullivan Council (#779) merged into the Five Rivers Council.
Organization
The council is divided into three districts:
- Endless Mountains District
- Big Horn District
- Silver Fawn District
Camps
It operates two camps: Camp Brulé, in North East Pennsylvania, and Camp Gorton on Waneta Lake in New York.
;Camp Gorton
Camp Gorton, located on Waneta Lake in the middle of the Finger Lakes, provides over 350 acres of land in Upstate New York for Scouts BSA camps. In 2014 Camp Gorton celebrated its 92nd year of existence and 90th anniversary of being a scout camp on the east side of Waneta Lake.
Camp Gorton claims to provide programs that are well-suited for younger scouts and has waterfront and shooting sports programs. They also provide programs to earn many water focused merit badges.
;Camp Brulé
Camp Brulé (pronounced "Brul-a"), named after Étienne Brûlé, is in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. It was founded by the General Sullivan Council with headquarters in Athens and jurisdiction over Bradford, Tioga and Sullivan Counties.
The camp covers the forty-two acres of Elk Lake and of forest land bordering it. Pancost Hall and Crandall Hall are memorials to Alfred H. Pancost, Chief Scout Executive and founder, and to Harry H. Crandall, first president of the council.
On the parade ground a native boulder bears a bronze plaque in memory of Eagle Scout twin brothers from Troop 2, Towanda, Pennsylvania, Army Air Corp Lieutenants John R. and William G. Winter. Born August 11, 1925, they were killed in action in World War II on August 11, 1945. The plaque was erected by employees of the Patterson Screen Company.
Order of the Arrow
TKäen DōD Lodge 30 formed from three former lodges. Seneca Lodge 394, Wakanda Lodge 186, and Winingus Lodge 30. TKäen DōD celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2017.
Greater Hudson Valley Council
The Greater Hudson Valley Council was formed in 2021 when the Hudson Valley Council merged with the Westchester-Putnam Council. This council serves scouts in southeastern New York.
Daniel Carter Beard is buried at the Brick Church Cemetery, which lies within the council boundaries. Every year on February 8, in commemoration of Founders Day, local Scouts place a wreath on Beard's grave. A commemoration service is held there every year on his birthday.
History
In 1917, the Beacon Council was founded, closing in 1918. In 1917, the Mamaroneck Council was founded, closing in 1918. In 1917, the Peekskill Council was founded, closing in 1918.
In 1917 the Poughkeepsie Council was formed, changing its name to the Dutchess County Council (#374).
In 1926 the Sullivan County Council (#761) was formed, merging with the Orange County Council (#392) in 1930 to form the Orange-Sullivan Council (#392). In 1958, the council changed its name to the Hudson-Delaware Council (#392).
In 1917 the Rockland County Council (#683) was founded.
In 1996 the Dutchess County, Hudson-Delaware, and Rockland County councils merged to form the Hudson Valley Council (#374).
In 1918 the New Rochelle Council was formed, changing its name to the Westchester County Council in 1920. In 1922 the council was split into the Hendrick Hudson Council (#379) and Siwanoy Council (#401).
In 1917 the White Plains Council (#410) was formed, changing its name to the Fennimore Cooper Council (#410) in 1922.
In 1915 the Bronxville Council and Mount Vernon Council (#370) were formed, merging in 1923 to form the Bronx Valley Council (#370).
In 1915 the Yonkers Council (#411) was formed. In 1954 Yonkers, Fennimore Cooper and the Hendrick Hudson councils merged to form the Washington Irving Council (#388).
In 1958 the Bronx Valley (#370) and Siwanoy (#401) councils merged to form the Siwanoy-Bronx Valley Council (#401). In 1962 the council changed its name to the Hutchinson River Council (#401).
In 1974 the Hutchinson River (#401) and Washington Irving (#388) councils merged to form the Westchester-Putnam Council (#388).
In 2021, Hudson Valley Council (#374) merged with the Westchester-Putnam Council (#388) to become the Greater Hudson Valley Council (#388).
Organization
thumb|Dutchess contingent at the 1977 [[National Scout jamboree (Boy Scouts of America)|national Scout jamboree, held at Moraine State Park, Pennsylvania]]
Its districts are: Algonquin, Croton River, Dutchess, Hudson-Delaware, Mohican and Rockland.
Camps
The council operated three camp properties: Camp Bullowa in Stony Point, New York, Durland Scout Reservation in Putnam Valley, New York and Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation in Brant Lake, New York.
Order of the Arrow Lodge
- Mahicantuck 15
Greater New York Councils <!---councils is correct--->
The Greater New York Councils serves the Scouting families of the five boroughs of New York City.
In 1915, the Greater New York Advisory Council was founded, changing its name to the Boy Scout Federation of Greater New York Council (#719) in 1925. In 1936 the council changed its name to the Greater New York Council (#719). Since the beginning, the five boroughs of the city each maintained their own council under the umbrella of the "greater" council Bronx Council (#372), Brooklyn Council (#369), Manhattan Council (#384), Queens Council (#371), and the Staten Island Council (#396).
In 1967, the council was renumbered as Greater New York Council (#640) with each of the boroughs also being renumbered: Bronx Council #641), Brooklyn Council (#642), Manhattan Council (#643), Queens Council (#644), and the Staten Island Council (#645).
Leatherstocking Council
Leatherstocking Council serves a portion of central New York. The council provides Scouting to Herkimer, Oneida, Schoharie, and Madison Counties as well as part of Hamilton, Otsego, Delaware and Lewis Counties.
In 1928 the Oneonta Council (#393) was formed, changing its name to the Otsego and Schoharie Counties Council (#393) in 1924. Otsego and Schoharie Counties changed its name to the Otsego-Schoharie Area Council (#393) in 1925.
In 1924 the Delaware County Council (#407) was formed. Delaware County merged into Otsego-Schoharie (#393) in 1926. In 1927 Otsego-Schoharie (#393) changed its name to OtSchoDela Council (#393) in 1927.
In 1922 the Oneida Council (#389) was formed changing its name to the Madison County Council (#389) in 1923.
In 1916 the Rome Council (#398) was formed. In 1919 the Sherrill Council (#400) was formed, merging into the Rome Council in 1925. In 1929, the Rome Council changed its name to the Fort Stanwix Council (#398) in 1929.
In 1915 the Utica Council (#406) was formed changing its name to the Upper Mohawk Council (#406) in 1937.
In 1968 the Madison County (#389) and Fort Stanwix (#398) councils merged to become the Iroquois Council (#395). In 1981, the Iroquois (#395) and Upper Mohawk (#406) councils merged to become the Land of the Oneidas Council (#395).
The first Herkimer County Council was formed in 1919, merging into the Utica Council (#406). In 1928 the Herkimer County Council (#400) was formed, changing its name to the General Herkimer Council (#400) in 1934.
In 2001, the Land of the Oneidas (#395) and General Herkimer (#400) councils merged, forming the Revolutionary Trails Council. In 2016, the Revolutionary Trails and Otschodela Councils (#393) merged to form the Leatherstocking Council (#400).
Longhouse Council
Longhouse Council was formed in 2010 as a merger of Hiawatha Seaway Council and Cayuga County Council. The council currently owns 2 camps, including Sabattis Scouting Reservation and Camp Woodland. The council covers six counties — Cayuga, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Onondaga, and St. Lawrence.
History
Organization
The council is divided into seven districts: This was previously Cayuga County Council, which lost its charter.
Order of the Arrow
Lowanne Nimat Lodge 219, formed January 1, 2010 from Kayanernh Kowa and Tahgajute lodges.
The World Brotherhood Camporee is a weekend-long camping trip that Scouts from Canada and the U.S. participate in. The camporee is an annual event and takes place either in the Longhouse Council, New York or in the Loyalist Area of the Voyageur Council, Ontario, Canada.
The main events include Council Strip trading and a dance party.
Rip Van Winkle Council
Rip Van Winkle Council serves the youth of Ulster and Greene counties of New York, and headquartered in Kingston. The Rip Van Winkle Council has the distinction of having six of the first twenty-one Eagle Scouts from the Class of 1912, the first class of Eagle Scouts.
History
In 1917, the Ellenville Council was founded. It closed in 1918.
In 1916, the Kingston Council (#405) was founded, changing its name to the Ulster County Council (#405) in 1919. In 1926, the Greene County Council (#766) was founded. In 1930 the Ulster County Council (#405) and the Greene County Council (#766) merged to form the Ulster-Greene Council (#405). In 1950, Ulster-Greene changed its name to the Rip Van Winkle Council (#405).
Organization
The council is divided into two districts:
- Algonquin District (Ulster County)
- Mohican District (Greene County and Saugerties)
Camps
The council's camp, located in East Jewett, New York, is Camp Tri-Mount.
Order of the Arrow
- Half Moon Lodge
Seneca Waterways Council
The Seneca Waterways Council serves youth in the counties of Ontario, Wayne, Seneca, Yates, and Monroe and the city of Rochester, New York.
In 1917 the Brockport Council was formed, closing in 1918.
In 1917 the Ontario County Council (#391) was formed, changing its name to the Finger Lakes Council (#391) in 1924.
The Rochester Council (#397) was granted a charter on February 13, 1913. The council expanded to include Monroe, Orleans and Wayne counties, and in 1926 the name was changed to the Rochester Area Council (#397) to reflect the growth. In December 1932, Monroe and Orleans counties split off to become the Red Jacket Council (#363).
In 1943, the Wayne County portion of the Rochester Area Council (#397) was transferred to the Finger Lakes Council (#391); the Orleans County portion of the Red Jacket Council was transferred to the Lewiston Trail Council (#385), and the remaining Monroe County portion merged with the Red Jacket Council (#363) to form the Otetiana Council (#397).
The Seneca Waterways Council was founded in 2009 with the merger of the Finger Lakes Council (#391) and Otetiana Council (#397), both in Western New York.
Seneca Waterways Council operates two camps. Camp Cutler BSA in Naples, NY, operates mainly as a cub scout camp. Additionally, SWC operates Massawepie Scout Camp in the Adirondack region
Suffolk County Council
Suffolk County Council serves scouts in Suffolk County, on Long Island, New York. Baiting Hollow Scout Camp is the council camp.
Originally, the Huntington and Smithtown councils were founded in 1917, and both folded in 1918. In 1919, the Patchogue Council was founded, changing its name that same year to the Suffolk County Council (#404).
Theodore Roosevelt Council
Theodore Roosevelt Council supports Scouting in Nassau County, New York.
The council was established in 1917 as the Nassau County Council (#386). Although Nassau County was the primary residence of Theodore Roosevelt, the Theodore Roosevelt name was taken by another council in Arizona. In 1993, that council merged with the Grand Canyon Council, freeing the name, and the Nassau County Council assumed the name Theodore Roosevelt (#386) in September 1997.
Twin Rivers Council
Twin Rivers Council is based in Albany, New York. It serves a large geographic area that encompasses thirteen counties of Northeastern New York. Twin Rivers was originally created in 1991 by a merger of the former Governor Clinton Council (#364) (Columbia, Rensselaer and Albany Counties), the Sir William Johnson Council (#377) (Hamilton, Fulton & Montgomery counties) and the Saratoga County Council (#684) (Saratoga County). A year later the Schenectady County Council (#399) (Schenectady County) was added after working out issues between the entities. Then in 1999, the Mohican Council (#378) (Warren and Washington counties) consolidated into the council. On February 14, 2006, the Adirondack Council (#394) (Franklin, Clinton and Essex Counties) and the Twin Rivers Council merged to form the current boundaries of the Twin Rivers Council (#364).
History
Organization
The council has five districts.
- Fort Orange District (Albany County)
- Adirondack District (Clinton, Franklin, and Northern Essex counties)
- Mohawk District (Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Schenectady Counties and the Town of Clifton Park)
- Yankee Doodle District (Columbia and Rensselaer Counties as well as the communities of Mechanicville and Stillwater)
- Turning Point District (Northern Saratoga, Washington, and Warren Counties)