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Wisconsin's history with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts spans from 1910 to the present day. Both programs have independently served thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

Early history (1910–1950)

In 1920, the Appleton Council, and the Neenah-Menasha Council were both formed. They merged to become the Valley Council (#635) in 1922. In 1924 Valley Council changed its name to the Fox River Valley Council (#635), changing it back to Valley in 1925. In 1920, the Fond Du Lac Council (#622) was founded, changing its name to the Badger Council (#622) in 1926. In 1919, the Manitowoc Council (#625) was formed, changing its name to the Manitowoc County Council (#625) in 1929, changing its name to the Waumegasako Council (#625) in 1940. The Waumegasako Council merged into the Bay-Lakes Council (#635) in 1973. In 1920, the Green Bay Council was founded, closing in 1922. In 1930, the Green Bay Area Council was founded again, changing its name to the Nicollet Area Council (#621) in 1934. In 1919, the Oshkosh Council (#630) was founded, changing its name to the Twin Lakes Council (#630) in 1935. In 1919, the Sheboygan County Council (#632) was founded, changing its name to the Kettle Moraine Council (#632) in 1935.

The Oconomowoc Council was formed in 1917. It disbanded in 1921. The Janesville Council was formed in 1917. It disbanded in 1917. The Sturgeon Bay Council was formed in 1918. It disbanded in 1919. The Ashland Council was formed in 1918. It disbanded in 1920.

Recent history (1950–present)

The Bay-Lakes Council (#635) was formed in 1973 by a merger of the following councils: Badger (based in Fond du Lac), Waumegesako (based in Manitowoc), Nicolet Area (based in Green Bay), Valley (based in Menasha), Twin Lakes (based in Oshkosh), and Kettle Moraine (based in Sheboygan). The Hiawathaland Council joined in 2012.

Scouting America (was Boy Scouts of America) in Wisconsin today

There are seven Scouting America local councils headquartered in Wisconsin. Additionally, some adjacent councils in Illinois and Minnesota serve portions of Wisconsin. Besides these councils, some out of state councils maintain camp facilities in Wisconsin.

Bay-Lakes Council

The Bay-Lakes Council is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin. Bay-Lakes Council #635 was formed on July 1, 1973, and is geographically one of the larger Scouting America councils in the United States.

Bay-Lakes Council was formed in 1973 by a merger of the following councils: Badger (based in Fond du Lac), Waumegesako (based in Manitowoc), Nicolet Area (based in Green Bay), Valley (based in Menasha), Twin Lakes (based in Oshkosh), and Kettle Moraine (based in Sheboygan). The Hiawathaland Council, in Michigan's UP, joined in 2012 and was transferred as a district to Michigan Crossroads Council in 2025.

History

In 1922, the Watertown Council was formed, disbanding in 1925. In 1927, the Chippewa Falls Council was formed, disbanding in 1928. In 1927, the Eau Claire Council (#621) was formed, changing its name to the Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties Council (#621), changing its name to the Ojibwa Council (#621) in 1925. Ojibwa became the Chippewa Valley Council (#637) in 1928.

History

In 1921, the La Crosse Council (#624) was formed, changing its name to the Gateway Area Council in 1925.

  • Indian Trails
  • Mohawk
  • Wisconsin River
  • Yahara

Camps

Camps:

  • Ed Bryant Scout Reservation on the Castle Rock Flowage near Mauston
  • Camp Indian Trails on the Rock River near Janesville (Sold in 2021 to Rock County)

Order of the Arrow

  • Bigfoot Lodge (Chartered 5/5/2018 - formerly Takoda Lodge 2006–2018)

Northern Star Council

Indianhead Council merged with Viking Council in 2005 to create Northern Star Council. The Indianhead Council was headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and including Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota, and much of western Wisconsin. Its name came from the shape of the Wisconsin-Minnesota border, which is said to resemble that of the head of an Indian. As well as the office building in Saint Paul, facilities included Tomahawk Scout Reservation near Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Phillippo Scout Reservation near Cannon Falls, Minnesota, Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp near Hudson, Wisconsin, and Kiwanis Scout Camp near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota.

Potawatomi Area Council

The Potawatomi Area Council is headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The Potawatomi Area Council serves all of Waukesha County and portions of Dodge, Jefferson, Walworth and Washington Counties. The Wag-O-Shag Lodge is the Order of the Arrow lodge. Potawatomi Area Council has one summer camp named Camp Long Lake.

The Potawatomi Area Council (#651) was formed in 1931.

Organization

Districts:

  • Aurora (Northern Milwaukee County, Wauwatosa, and West Allis)
  • Southern Shores (Southern Milwaukee County)
  • Red Arrow (Racine and Kenosha Counties)

Order of the Arrow

The Kanwa tho Lodge #636 is the Order of the Arrow lodge for Three Harbors Council. It was founded on January 6, 2013, through the consolidation of Mascoutens Lodge #8 and Mikano Lodge #231. The name and totem were chosen by the youth of the new lodge on the morning of July 8, 2012. Kanwa tho Lodge's totem is a panther, and "Kanwa tho" translates to "panther band".

Voyageurs Area Council

The Ashland Council was formed in 1918. It disbanded in 1920.

;Leadership centers: Janesville, Madison, and La Crosse

;Camps

  • Camp Brandenberg is located northwest of Madison, and is available for use year-round.
  • Camp Ehawee is located near La Crosse, and is a summer resident camp.

Manitou Council

Manitou Council serves 7,500 girls in Calumet, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, and Washington counties in Wisconsin.

It was slated to be merged with several other councils into Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes. In December 2008, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals gave a preliminary injunction enjoining the national organization from changing the status of Manitou Council.

;Headquarters: Sheboygan, Wisconsin

;Camps:

  • Camp Evelyn is 240 acres near Plymouth, Wisconsin.
  • Camp Manitou is 140 acres near Shoto, Wisconsin. Only one of this council's camps is located in Wisconsin.

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys serves 32,000 girls and 11,000 volunteers in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. It was created in 2007 as the result of a merger of five Minnesota councils. Only one of its camps is located in Wisconsin.

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes

In partnership with over 6,000 adult volunteers, Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) serves nearly 15,000 girls in 58 counties in northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The council's jurisdiction spans about 400 miles from east to west and about 300 miles from north to south.

It was formed on May 1, 2008, by the merger of Girl Scouts of Birch Trails Council, Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Girl Scouts of Indian Waters, Girl Scouts of Lac Baie Council, Girl Scouts of Peninsula Waters and Girl Scouts of Woodland Council.

;Headquarters: Appleton, Wisconsin

;Camps:

  • Camp Birch Trails, the council's largest camp, is located near Merrill, Wisconsin.
  • Camp Nesbit is located in Sidnaw, Michigan.
  • Camp Winnecomac is located in Kaukauna, WI.
  • Camp Sacajawea is located on the outskirts of Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
  • Camp Nawakwa is located in Cornell, WI.
  • Camp Del O'Claire is located near Wausau, WI. As of November 2015, it is being investigated to decide whether it should remain open.
  • Camp Cuesta is located near Baileys Harbor, WI.

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) serves some 33,000 girls in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Washington and Waukesha, as well as the southern part of Ozaukee and eastern parts of Dodge and Jefferson counties.

;Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

;Camps and centers:

  • Alice Chester Center, East Troy
  • Camp Pottawatomie Hills, East Troy
  • Camp Winding River, Neosho
  • Chinook Program Center & Activity Station, Waukesha
  • Girl Scout Service Center, Racine
  • Marion Chester Read Center, Milwaukee
  • Silverbrook Program Center, West Bend
  • Trefoil Oaks Program Center, Kenosha
  • Volunteer Center/Council Office, Waukesha
  • Woodhaven, Kenosha

See also

  • Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps
  • Racine Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps

References

  • Camp Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Unofficial Camp Site
  • Scouts BSA Troop 127 - Northside of Madison, WI