Scouting in Pennsylvania has a tradition, starting from 1908 to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.
History
Early history (1908–1950)
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.
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.
thumb|[[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.
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, 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 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. 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.”
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.
District
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.
Camps
- 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.
Camps
- Camp Olmsted
Order of the Arrow
- Gyantwachia Lodge #255
Columbia-Montour Council
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
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
- Resica Falls Scout Reservation (East Stroudsburg)
- Musser Scout Reservation (Marlborough Township)
- Treasure Island Scout Reservation (closed)
Order of the Arrow
- Unami Lodge #1
French Creek Council
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 two districts: Lakes and Rivers, to effectively execute operations across Northwest Pennsylvania.
Camps
- Custaloga Town Scout Reservation (Carlton)
Order of the Arrow
- Langundowi Lodge #46
Hawk Mountain Council
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.
Camps
- Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation
Order of the Arrow
- Kittatinny Lodge #5
Juniata Valley Council
Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre & Juniata Counties
Camps
- Seven Mountains Scout Camp
Order of the Arrow
- Monaken Lodge #103
Laurel Highlands Council
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
- 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
- Allohak Menewi Lodge 57
Minsi Trails Council
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
- 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
- Camp Minsi (Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania)
- Trexler Scout Reservation (Jonas, Pennsylvania) Now no longer a Scout camp. Final season was 2023
Order of the Arrow
- Witauchsoman Lodge #44
Moraine Trails Council
Districts
- Glacier Ridge District (Butler)
- King Beaver District (Lawrence)
- River Valley District (Armstrong/NW Westmoreland Counties)
Camps
- Camp Bucoco
Order of the Arrow
- Kuskitannee Lodge #168
New Birth of Freedom Council
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
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.
Camps
- Camp Acahela
- Goose Pond Scout Reservation
Pennsylvania Dutch Council
Pennsylvania Dutch Council is in south-central Pennsylvania serving Lebanon and Lancaster counties. The council has two districts: Iron Forge and Susquehanna.
Camps-
- Bashore Scout Reservation
- J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation
Order of the Arrow
- Wunita Gokhos Lodge #39
Susquehanna Council
Camps
- Camp Karoondinha (Glen Iron)
Order of the Arrow
- Woapeu Sisilija Lodge #343
Washington Crossing Council
The Washington Crossing Council (formerly Bucks County Council) serves Bucks County, PA, Hunterdon County, NJ, and Mercer County, NJ.
Westmoreland-Fayette Council
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.
Camps
- Camp Conestoga
- Camp Buck Run
- Camp Tenacharison
Past camps
- Camp Wesco
- Camp Wildwood
- Camp Pleasant
- Camp Paul Bunyan
Order of the Arrow
- Wagion Lodge #6
Non-Pennsylvania-based Scouting America councils
Allegheny Highlands Council
Baden-Powell Council
Five Rivers Council
Potomac Council
Mason-Dixon Council
Girl Scouting today
There are four Girl Scout councils serving girls in Pennsylvania. Three of them-- Eastern Pennsylvania, Heart of Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania-- are headquartered in the state. The fourth council, NYPENN pathways, is headquartered in New York.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
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. The current CEO is Kim E. Fraites-Dow.
Camps
During the summer, Eastern Pennsylvania camps are open for all registered Girl Scouts. The camp is operated by paid staff who work for the council. Campers sign up for a program session of their choice, which can be as short as two nights and as long as four weeks. Each program has its own themed activities. Campers are also asked at the start of the week what they would like to do (this is called Girl Planning,) and the activities they choose are worked into their schedule.
In the summer of 2025, camps Wood Haven and Mountain House adopted a "classic camp" model. This eliminated the themed programs for the two camps, and instead had campers sign up for themeless week-long sessions with more girl planning time. This model was discontinued for the summer 2026 season.
During the school year, the camps are open for anybody to rent. Troops are allowed to rent out the sites for their own events, and entire service units can rent out the sites for "Camporees." People outside of Girl Scouts are also allowed to rent the sites for events like weddings, field trips, and school dances. Girl Scouts are generally supervised by volunteers during off-season camping, but paid staff may be present to facilitate activities like swimming and ropes courses. The council also holds events at the camps throughout the year.
- Camp Mosey Wood is an overnight camp in White Haven (Carbon County). The camp is with a lake. Campers may stay in platform tents or a lodge. Activities include dueling ziplines, two high ropes courses, a low ropes course, two climbing walls, a bouldering wall, archery, gaga, and swimming and boating in the lake. It is currently directed by April "Ape" Beattie.
- Camp Mountain House is a day camp in Allentown (Lehigh County). Activities include a low ropes course, a greenhouse, gaga, and archery.
- Camp Shelly Ridge is the only camp in the council to offer both day and overnight options. It is located in Miquon (Montgomery County) and also serves as the council headquarters. There is also a council shop onsite with a Build-A-Bear Workshop. Overnight campers may stay in platform tents or a lodge. Activities include a low ropes course, a climbing wall, bouldering, gaga, archery, and swimming in a pool. It is currently directed by Amanda "Perry" Hunsberger.
- Camp Valley Forge is a day camp in Valley Forge (Chester County). Alongside camp, it holds one of the council's shops Activities include a low ropes course, archery, gaga, and swimming in a pool.
- Camp Wood Haven is an overnight camp in Pine Grove (Schuylkill County). Campers may stay in platform tents, Adirondack shelters, Conestoga wagons, or Birdsong, which is a treehouse. Activities include horseback riding, archery, a low ropes course, a climbing wall, a "tree element" (a high ropes element where participants propel themselves up a rope), gaga, and swimming in a pool.
Past camps
On June 16, 2011, the council decided to divest in Camp Tweedale, Camp Tohikanee, and Camp Hidden Falls.
- Camp Hidden Falls was an overnight camp in Dingmans Ferry (Pike County). It closed in 2012 and became a part of the National Park Service's Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
- Camp Tohikanee was a day camp in Quakertown (Bucks County). It closed in 2015
- Camp Tweedale was an overnight camp in Oxford (Chester County). It closed in 2015
- Philly Camp was a low-cost day camp program for Girl Scouts who lived within a Philadelphia zip code. It ran for four weeks in roaming locations across the city. This program was discontinued for the summer 2026 season.
Other Properties
- Jane Seltzer is a shop and service center in Philadelphia.
Camps
- Camp Archbald is an overnight camp in Kingsley (Susquehanna County). It was established in 1920.
- Camp Furnace Hills is an troops-only camp in Denver (Lancaster County). Activities include gaga, archery, and events surrounding Foxfire House, a historical building onsite. Campers stay in houses or covered wagons. About 175 acres (71 ha) of the property was sold in late 2017, but about 50 acres (20 ha) of the property remain open to campers.
- Camp Happy Valley is an troops-only camp in Fairfield (Adams County). It has few activities and primarily serves as a place for troops to stay overnight. Campers may sleep in cabins, primitive tents, or lodges.
- Camp Small Valley is an overnight camp in Halifax (Dauphin County). At , it is the largest of the council's camps. Activities include a high ropes course, low ropes course, a climbing tower, a giant swing, a nature center, gaga, archery, volleyball, and swimming in a pool. Campers may sleep in cabins, tents, or yurts.
Past Camps
In late 2017, GSHPA announced that they would be selling Camp Echo Trail, Camp Golden Pond, Camp Louise, and 175 acres (71 ha) of Camp Furnace Hills, as maintaining all seven camps would have required 57% of their annual budget.
- Camp Golden Pond was a camp in Petersburg (Huntingdon County). A group of community members called the Friends of Golden Pond purchased the property in 2019, and it is now a campsite and wedding venue.
- Camp Louise was a camp in Shickshinny (Luzerne County). It was purchased in 2019 by Valley Preservation LLC, who leased it to the Friends of Camp Louise. In 2021, it opened for group camping rentals.
Other Locations
- GSHPA's headquarters is in Camp Hill (Cumberland County).
- The council holds a satellite office in Williamsport (Lycoming County). 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.
Camps
- Camp Conshatawba is an overnight camp in Ebensburg (Cambria County). Campers may stay in cabins or platform tents. Activities include a climbing tower, zipline, low ropes, swimming in a pool or creek, a nature center, a tomahawk range, and archery. It is currently directed by Alicia Reedy.
- Camp Hawthorne Ridge is an overnight camp in Fairview Township, Erie County. It is . Campers may stay in cabins or platform tents.
Other Properties
- The Western Pennsylvania council has two retail stores: one in Pittsburgh and one in Edinboro. They had a store and office in Greensburg which closed in 2025.
- Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség Hungarian Scouting maintains two troops in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh.