Scouting in Indiana

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Main Entrance to Tunnel Mill Scout Reservation
Main Entrance to Tunnel Mill Scout Reservation

Scouting in Indiana 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.

Contents

[edit] Early history (1910-1950)

Firecrafter was founded in Indianapolis, Indiana at Camp Belzer in the summer of 1920 by "Chief" Francis Oliver Belzer. Belzer also served as the first Scout Executive for the Indianapolis Council, later known as the Central Indiana Council.

In 1948 the National Order of the Arrow Conference was held at Indiana University.

[edit] Recent history (1950-1990)

In 1950, 1956, 1961, 1965, 1969 and 1975, the National Order of the Arrow Conference was held at Indiana University, the most frequent venue for the event.

[edit] Scouting in Indiana today

There are ten Boy Scouts of America local councils in Indiana. All of Indiana lies within Central Region, except for Jefferson, Clark, Scott, Floyd and Washington counties, as part of Southern Region.

[edit] Anthony Wayne Area Council

Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana and covering 11 counties in Northeast Indiana - Adams, Wells, Jay, Huntington, Allen, DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Whitley, Kosciusko.Anthony Wayne Area Council

  • Lincolnway District (Whitley and Kosciusko Counties)
  • Miami District (Southern Allen County)
  • Pokagon District (DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben)
  • Three Rivers District (Learning for Life)
  • Thunderbird District (Northern Allen County)
  • Wabash Valley District (Adams, Huntington, Jay, Wells)

Features Anthony Wayne Scout Reservation with Camp Chief Little Turtle

[edit] Buffalo Trace Council

The Buffalo Trace Council is a Boy Scout council based in Evansville, Indiana that serves southwestern Indiana and southeastern Illinois. Its affiliated Order of the Arrow lodge is Kiondaga Lodge.Buffalo Trace Council

[edit] Camps

The Buffalo Trace Council has operated three camps throughout its existence, two of which are still in existence. Camp Arthur, located near Vincennes, opened in 1945 and was removed from the list of BSA-approved camping facilities for a time in the mid-1990s. Old Ben Scout Reservation (OBSR), located in Pike County, Indiana opened in 1985 on the site of an abandoned strip mine operated by the Old Ben Coal Company and is the council's current primary summer camp location. Camp Pohoka was the previous summer camp location, but was shut down when OBSR was opened.

[edit] Districts

[edit] Algonkian (formerly Three Rivers)

[edit] Lincoln Heritage

[edit] Native Trails

[edit] Calumet Council

Calumet Council serves Scouts in Indiana and Illinois.Calumet Council

Serving the youth of the 54 communities comprising the south suburbs of Chicago and Northwest Indiana since 1917, the Calumet Council is the local entity of the Boy Scouts of America and Learning for Life Programs.

The Calumet Council, headquartered in Munster, Indiana, was formed in 1966. The Council is the result of a merger of the Pokagon Trails Council in Hammond, Indiana and the Sauk Trails Council in Gary, Indiana. In 1971 the Twin City Council in East Chicago, Indiana joined to make up the current structure. Camp Frank H. Betz, located in Berrien Springs, MI (USA) is operated by the Calumet Council. 'Betz' has served Scouts in the South Suburbs of Chicago and Northwest Indiana since 1922.

In 2006, over 13,000 young men and women were active members of the Scouting program in the Calumet Council. Over 4,100 adult volunteers, supported by a small staff, provide a top quality "values based" program, with an emphasis on outdoor programs and life skills.

Due to the unique demographics of the Calumet Council, a special program designed to serve the hardest to reach “at risk” youth, called Scoutreach, is used in lower income communities. In 2006, sixty six Scoutreach Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops and Venture Crews were active in nine different communities with over 2,600 members.

The Eagle Scout Award, the highest award a boy can earn in Scouting, was presented to 65 young men in 2006. These newest Eagles totaled over 3,000 combined service hours in the 65 different community service projects which they carried out as part of the Eagle Scout requirement.

The Council operates four districts: Crossroads, Nishnabec, Prairie Dunes, and Thunderbird. These service areas were formed in 2005 as a result of a restructuring to utilize volunteer resources better.

The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society. The council's chapter is Michigamea Order of the Arrow Lodge number 110. It is youth-run and advised by adult volunteers. Michigamea lodge has over 600 active members. In 2007, the Lodge received The National Service Award for their work on the new Frank H. Betz firebowl. This annual award is only presented to eight lodges nationally.

The Council Executive board is made up of 45 local business and community leaders who guide to the year-round operation of the Council. The Council Key III is made up of President James K. Larson, Council Commissioner Albin Sporny III and Scout Executive Michael Creagh.

[edit] Crossroads of America Council

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Crossroads of America Council serves Scouts and Scouters in Central Indiana. It was initially formed when Central Indiana Council, Delaware County Council, Kikthawenund Council, and Whitewater Valley Council merged in 1972. Recently, Wabash Valley and Crossroads of America were merged to form the new Crossroads of America Council, serving 25 counties in Indiana, extending from the Illinois state line to the Ohio state line. As of the end of 2006, the Council served approximately 35,000 children thanks to 10,000 volunteer leaders.Crossroads of America Council

The Crossroads of America Council is served by Jaccos Towne Lodge #21, Order of the Arrow. It is also home to Firecrafter, a local Scouting service fraternity. Central Indiana Council was not home to a lodge of the Order of the Arrow until the merger of the councils in 1972. Scott Clabaugh is the current Scout Executive. The council maintains Scout offices in Indianapolis, Anderson, Hagerstown, Muncie, and Terre Haute.

The Crossroads of America Council has also served as home of the Crossroads of America Scout Band. Founded in 1917 by "Chief" F.O. Belzer as a camp band, this band has grown into a concert band that has traveled throughout the United States, Canada and England representing the Boy Scouts of America and the Crossroads of America Council for 91 years. The Bands annual summer tour takes it to as many scout camps as it can for the enjoyment of those scouts at camp. [1]

[edit] Camps

The Crossroads of America Council currently operates seven camps:

[edit] Districts

  • Del-Mi District, serving Hamilton and Tipton Counties
  • Golden Eagle District, serving Delaware, northern Henry, and northern Randolph Counties
  • Iron Horse District, serving Hancock, southern Henry, Fayette, Rush, and Shelby Counties
  • Hou Koda District, serving western Marion County and Hendricks County
  • Northeast District, serving northeastern Marion County
  • North Star District, serving northwestern, central northern Marion, and a small section of southern Boone Counties
  • Old Trail District, serving southern Randolph, Wayne, Union, and Franklin Counties
  • Pathfinder District, serving southern Marion County and Johnson County
  • Pioneer District, serving eastern Marion County
  • Sakima District, serving Madison, and parts of Henry and Hancock Counties
  • Sugar Creek District, serving Boone, Montgomery, and southern Clinton Counties
  • T-Sun-Ga-Ni District, serving central Marion County
  • Wah-Bah-Shik-Ki District, serving Vermillion, Parke, and Putnam Counties

[edit] Hoosier Trails Council

  • Hoosier Hills DistrictHoosier Trails Council
  • Lenni Lenape District
  • Miami District
  • Valley Trails District
  • White River Trails District

Hoosiertrails has two camps. They are Maumme Scout Reservation in Norman, IN (Summer Camp) and Camp Louis Ernst in Dupont, IN (perimative camping)

Nischa Chuppecat #212 is Hoosier Trails Order of the Arrow Lodge. It was founded in 1973. It was formed with the Merger of these to lodges (#290) Wazi Yata and (#212)So Aka Gha Gwa. Nischa Chuppecat has been hosts NOAC at Indiana University when it is there.

[edit] La Salle Council

La Salle Council serves Scouts in Indiana and Michigan.La Salle Council

[edit] Districts

  • Algonquian District
  • Dunes Moraine District
  • Pioneer Trails District
  • Potawatomi District

[edit] Lincoln Heritage Council

Main article: Scouting in Kentucky

The George Rogers Clark Council was formed by Scouts of Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington counties in 1927, and merged with Old Kentucky Home Council to form Trapper Trails Council , which serves Scouts in Kentucky and Indiana.

[edit] John Work House and Mill Site|Tunnel Mill Scout Reservation

Main articles: John Work House and Mill Site and Tunnel Mill Scout Reservation

Tunnel Mill Scout Reservation is a Boy Scout camp just outside Charlestown, Indiana, owned by the Lincoln Heritage Council. In 1917 local Troop 3 decided to use the property as a summer camp, as it would for three summers. The George Rogers Clark Council shortly after 1927 bought Tunnel Mill from the Murphy family, who had bought the property the previous year but lost interest after a mill fire. In 1933 the three-sided wooden Pioneer Village cabins were built. In 1942 the Scoutmaster's Cabin and Evergreen cabins were completed. In 1950 the McDonald Bridge was completed across Fourteen Mile Creek. The camp saw its greatest use in the 1950s and 1960s, with 564 Scouts, the highest attendance ever, in 1960. In 1969 the swimming pool was built, to replace the creek, now-unsafe for swimming. By the 1980s the lessening attendance made the future of the camp uncertain. When the George Rogers Clark Council, which owned the property, merged with Old Kentucky Home Council, one of the conditions was that Tunnel Mill would not be closed. Since 1993 the camp has been used primarily by Cub Scouts and for winter camping.[1] The property includes a cabin village, a swimming pool, and a dining hall built in 2000. The new dining hall replaced the one from the 1980s that once served as a steakhouse in Jeffersonville.

On November 6, 1996, Andy Campbell, a ranger serving as Tunnel Mill's caretaker, was shot to death by Roger Caldwell, "a diagnosed, paranoid schizophrenic" who trespassed onto the property while drunk.[2] This was the first such incident in the history of Scouting.[3] Campbell was able to drag himself 50 feet to call 911. After police arrived on the scene to get information about the drunk from Campbell, they found Caldwell wandering on Indiana Highway 62. Caldwell was sentenced to 70 years in prison, with parole possible after 31 years.

[edit] Prairielands Council

Main article: Scouting in Illinois

Prairielands Council, previously the short-lived Illiana Council, has its headquarters in Champaign, Illinois, and also serves Scouts in Indiana.

[edit] Sagamore Council

The Sagamore Council was founded in 1973 by a merger of the Three Rivers Council (Logansport, IN Office), Mesingomesia Council (Headquarters in Marion, IN) and the Harrison Trails (Headquarters Lafayette, IN). The council offices were eventually consolidated to Kokomo, Indiana. The camp properties of "Green Hills" was sold. Green Hills was south and west of Lafayette, IN. Camp Cary, Lafayette, IN was still used as a cub day camp. Camp Buffalo, near Buffalo, IN (north and east of Indiana Beach) was the now central camp. Mesingomesia's Camp Crossland near Columbia City, Indiana was sold to the Indiana Deparment of Natural Resources and is now called the Denison Property (named after DNR employee, not a scouter). It is managed through the Tri-County Fish and Wildlife.

A few things make Sagamore Council Unique:

1. Purdue University hosts several National Order of the Arrow Conferences. 2. Weaver Popcorn (Trail's End Popcorn) is manufactured/packaged in Van Buren, Indiana.

3. The former militiary base Grissom provided several retire servicemen who served in various capcaties (ie. LTC Hal Ivy).

4. Wabash, Indiana Scout Lincoln Pilgrimage is one of the longest scout presidential day events in Scouting. Its patches are highly saught after.

5. In the council then Governor (Later President) William Henry Harrison defeated a large band of Indians at the Battle of Tippecanoe. Harrison was elected on the campaign phrase "Tippecanoe and Tyler too).

6. George S. Crossland, a Scout Executive, served the prior Mesingomesia Council. He went on to other more notable Scouting functions including creating an honorary that preceded the Order of the Arrow.

  • Arrowhead District
  • Big One District
  • Chief Logan District
  • Meshingomesia District
  • Tecumseh District

[edit] Girl Scouting in Indiana

There are 9 Girl Scout councils in Indiana.

On Aug. 26, 2006, Girl Scouts of the USA’s (GSUSA) national board of directors voted to endorse a plan to realign 312 councils into 109 high-capacity, community-based councils. The new structure will make the most effective use of resources to better serve the local community and create more opportunities in Girl Scouting for even more girls. Girl Scouts of Central Indiana was the first Girl Scout council in the nation to complete the merger process.

[edit] Scouts of The Calumet Council

Council office in Merrillville, Indiana Girl Scouts of The Calumet Council, Inc.

This council will merge in the Autumn of 2007 with several other councils to form Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

[edit] Drifting Dunes Girl Scout Council

Council office in Merrillville, Indiana[http://www.ddgsc.com Drifting Dunes Girl Scout Council, Inc.

This council will merge in the Autumn of 2007 with several other councils to form Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

[edit] Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

Formed by the merger of Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council, Covered Bridge Girl Scout Council, Girl Scouts of Treaty Line Council, Girl Scouts of Sycamore Council, and Girl Scouts of Wapephani Council.

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana serves over 40,000 girls in 33 counties in Central Indiana. Council headquarters is Indianapolis, Indiana but service centers remain in cities that were the headquarters of former councils

Web Site: http://www.girlscoutsindiana.org/

Camps and cabins:

[edit] Proposed Indiana North council

This is a proposed council to be made up of Indiana Lakeland, Limberlost, and parts of Singing Sands and Tribal Trails councils. Merging will begin in October 2007 and should end in October 2008. Web site on the merger is at[2]

[edit] Indiana Lakeland Girl Scout Council

Headquarters is Goshen, IndianaIndiana Lakeland Girl Scout Council, Inc.

[edit] Girl Scouts of Limberlost Council

Headquarters is Fort Wayne, IndianaGirl Scouts of Limberlost Council, Inc.

[edit] Girl Scouts of Singing Sands Council

Headquarters is South Bend, IndianaGirl Scouts of Singing Sands Council, Inc.

[edit] Girl Scouts of Tribal Trails Council

Headquarters is Logansport, IndianaGirl Scouts of Tribal Trails Council, Inc.

[edit] Proposed Indiana South council

This proposed council is to be made up of Raintree and Tulip Trace councils.

[edit] Girl Scouts of Raintree Council, Inc.

Headquarters is Evansville, Indiana

Located in south-west Indiana and also a small part of Illinois. It was formed after a previous realignment in September 1957. Camps are Camp Koch in Cannelton, Indiana, Carmi Little House in Carmi, Indiana, and Camp Three Lakes. Camp Koch has a sycamore that is a "moon tree"; as a seed it was on the Apollo 14 mission to the moon.[3][4]

[edit] Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council

Headquarters is Bloomington, IndianaGirl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council, Inc.

[edit] See also

Scouting Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ Tunnel Mill: the story of an historical grist mill and an historic Boy Scout camp by Gary D. Purlee (2005)
  2. ^ Reynolds, Janna. Caldwell receives 70 years for shooting of Tunnel Mill Ranger. reen Banner Publications. Retrieved on 2006-09-03.
  3. ^ Purlee 2005
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