Scouting in Ohio
Scouting in Ohio has a long history, from the 1908 to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.
Early history (1910–1950)
Recent history (1950–1990)
In 1952 and again in 1975 the National Order of the Arrow Conference was held at Miami University.Present Day (2016-)
In 2016, an effort was started to consolidate councils in Northeast Ohio as of January 1, 2017. Heart of Ohio and Greater Western Reserve Councils' northern districts merged with Greater Cleveland Council. Heart of Ohio's southern districts have merged with Buckeye Council. Greater Western Reserve Councils southern districts have merged with Great Trail Council.Order of the Arrow Lodge mergers will be completed following the Section C-4A conclave in May at Camp Manatoc
Boy Scouts of America in Ohio today
In the 1990s, the Boy Scouts of America went through a restructuring in an attempt to reduce manpower, and in several states small historic Councils were merged into a larger supercouncil. The Simon Kenton Council is an example of such a supercouncil.There are twelve Boy Scouts of America local councils in Ohio.
Allohak Council
Allohak Council was founded in 1991. It was composed of six districts and served parts of West Virginia and Ohio. The council headquarters was in Parkersburg, West Virginia.The Allohak Council was disbanded on December 31, 2018.
Black Swamp Area Council
Black Swamp Area Council was created in 1992. It is composed of six districts and covers thirteen counties in Ohio. The council headquarters is in Findlay, Ohio with an additional service center in Lima, Ohio.History
Organization
- Arrowwood District serves Hancock County, Ohio and Seneca County, Ohio.
- Chinquapin District serves Defiance County, Ohio, Fulton County, Ohio, Henry County, Ohio, Paulding County, Ohio and Williams County, Ohio.
- Great Oaks District serves Allen County, Ohio, Hardin County, Ohio and Putnam County, Ohio.
- Old Sycamore District serves Auglaize County, Ohio, Van Wert County, Ohio and Mercer County, Ohio.
Camps
- Camp Lakota
- Camp Berry
Order of the Arrow
- Mawat Woakus Lodge
Buckeye Council
Dan Beard Council
Dan Beard Council was created in 1956. It is composed of eight districts and serves Scouts in twelve counties in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky. The council is served by the Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge of the Order of the Arrow.History
The Middletown Area Council was first formed as a provisional council in 1917. In 1920 it was granted full council status. It initially served the city of Middletown. In 1928, the territory of the Middletown Area Council was expanded to include all of Warren County as well as Lemon, Liberty, Madison and Union Townships from Butler County. In 1926, the land for Camp Hook was donated to the council. The camp opened in 1927 and operated until 1991. In 1932 Union Township was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Butler County Council. In 1933 the Middletown Area Council was renamed to the Mound Builders Area Council. In 1955, jurisdiction of Lemon Township was transferred to Fort Hamilton Council, forming the final boundaries of the Mound Builders Area Council. Mound Builders Area Council continued to serve Warren County and the Lemon and Madison Townships of Butler County as well as all of Warren County until July 1, 1985 when it was absorbed into Dan Beard Council #438 and became the Mound Builders District. The current Hopewell District of Dan Beard Council, formed during the 2006 redistricting process when Middletown and Lemon Township were recombined, very closely resembling the lines of the old Mound Builders Area Council territory.Mound Builders Area Council primarily had only two districts, Fort Ancient and Pokey Griffith. A third district, Wischixin, was formed briefly but lasted for less than 5 years before being discontinued.
The Nachenum Lodge #145 of the Order of the Arrow served Mound Builders Area Council, forming in 1939. Upon the merger with Dan Beard Council in 1985, the Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge #462 merged with Nachenum, forming Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge #145.
Mound Builders Area Council, while no longer an actual council, was represented at the 1985 National Jamboree. The troop contingent from Mound Builders Council attended the jamboree, held beginning July 15, while the council itself ceased to exist on July 1. The contingent was technically now part of Dan Beard Council, though all patches and markings, etc. were already set to the old Mound Builders Area Council and were not altered to note Dan Beard Council.
Organization
- Blue Jacket District
- Fort Hamilton District
- Hopkins District
- Maketeweh District
- Trailblazer District
- U.S. Grant District
- William Henry Harrison District
Camps
The Dan Beard Scout Reservation, in Loveland, OH, consists of three areas on its campus. Camp Friedlander was established in 1919, and reopened in 2002 after renovations to the camp. Friedlander has 23 campsites, a 600-person dining hall, an lake, cabins, and a swimming pool. It has an excellent reputation and attracts Scouts from all over the world. Camp Craig is often used as a training facility. The Program Building at Camp Craig is often rented out for retreats, conferences or training. The swimming pool at Camp Craig is shared with Cub World. Cub Scout Adventure World opened in 2000 as a camp designed exclusively for Cub Scouting. Cub World features two large buildings that offer dorm-like accommodations that offer rooms with bunk-beds, and more primitive areas that offer tent camping. All three camps have access to each other on the Reservation, which is adjacent to the Little Miami River.
Camp Charles R. Hook, founded in 1926, was in operation until 1991. In 1997, the land was purchased by the and is now called the . The land for Camp Hook was donated by the Charles R. Hook family. Charles Hook was the President of the American Rolling Mill Company - which in the early 1990s merged to become AK Steel Corporation - and son-in-law of the company's founder, George M. Verity. In early 1929 Mr. Hook donated a significant amount of stock to the Middletown Area Council with the instructions to immediately sell it and use the proceeds to put in a swimming pool at the camp. The timing on this event was advantageous considering early in the fall of 1929 was the crash of the stock market known as Black Friday and the beginning of the Great Depression. The sale of the stock yielded enough money to put in the swimming pool and purchase more land to the north, expanding the camp's size significantly. The waterfront of the camp was later named Lake George after Charles Hook's son, George Verity Hook. After the camp's closure and sale to the Metroparks system, the majority of the structures were torn down and the swimming pool filled in. Most of the campsites have grown over as well, but many landmarks or signs of the former use of the area remain. The Metroparks system maintains three group campsites for Scout use, and a backcountry camping area was added on the north side of the property near Chamberlain Road. A large rock with embedded plaque thanking the Hooks for the donation remains, as does the amphitheatre campfire bowl, the Administration Lodge, the Maintenance Building, the Chapel and a few other structures that are in ruins. The pool pump house and the shelters for the shooting ranges still remain, though it is believed this is due only because the demolition equipment could not safely reach these structures. The park previously held three geocache units that contain historical pictures of the old camp, but as of fall 2013 they have been removed. One point of interest that remains is the Gilwell Tree. A local Scouting family in the 1970s took a vacation to England with his family, during which they visited Gilwell Park, the home of the Scouting movement. A sapling of one of the English Oaks was brought back from Gilwell Park and planted at Camp Hook to signify the ties between Scouting in the US and the worldwide movement. In June, 1986, Camp Hook hosted EC 336 X, an experimental Wood Badge Course directed by William Hillcourt. In 2010 a plaque, and a split rail fence were created to honor the tree and one of the leading, and oldest, scout leaders in the Council. It was an Eagle Scout Service Project.
Trails
The Riverwalk Trail spans downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, and is long. Highlights along the trail include the boyhood home of Dan Beard. There is a patch available from the Council for walking the trail. can be found on the Dan Beard Council website.The Silver Moccasin Trail originally started in Lebanon and finished at Fort Ancient. It was long and used to offer a medal and a patch. A from Fort Ancient south to Morgan's Riverside Campground off of Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Rd, then crossing the Little Miami River to join the Little Miami Scenic Trail to complete the loop. This restored loop is long.
The Thunderbird Trail existed as a 6-mile long loop around Camp Hook. It was in use for many years during the camp's time as a part of Mound Builders Area Council and Dan Beard Council. Scouts could earn a patch upon completing the entire trail. After the sale of the camp to the Five Rivers MetroParks system in 1997, the Thunderbird trail stopped being maintained and now no longer exists except to those who remember exactly where it was, although the trail markers and Order of the Arrow fire-rings are still visible and somewhat accessible.
Order of the Arrow
- Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge
Buckskin Council
Erie Shores Council
Erie Shores Council was created in 1929. It provides Scouting programs to the youth of Northwest Ohio in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Wood and eastern Fulton Counties.History
Organization
- Commodore Perry District
- Eagle Bay District
- Northwest District
- Swan Creek District
- Wood District
Camps
- Camp Miakonda
- Camp Frontier, part of Pioneer Scout Reservation
Order of the Arrow
- Tindeuchen Lodge # 522
French Creek Council
Great Trail Council
Great Trail Council was created in 1921 as the Akron Area Council. It is composed of seven districts and serves Summit, Portage, Medina, Trumbull, Mahoning, and northern Wayne Counties. At the start of 2017 the southern counties of the Greater Western Reserve Council were merged into the Great Trail Council.History
Organization
- Chippewa District
- Lakes District
- Moecomdws District
- Signal Tree District
- Seneca District
- Arrowhead District
- Whispering Pines District
Camps
The council also inherited Camp Stambaugh in Canfield with the consolidation of Greater Western Reserve Council. Camp Stambaugh will host weekend camping, training, and Cub Scout events along with a scout shop.
Order of the Arrow
Great Trail Council is served by the Marnoc OA Lodge.Lake Erie Council
Lake Erie Council was created in 1912 as the Cleveland Council. It is composed of eight districts and serves northeastern Ohio. The council headquarters is in Cleveland, Ohio. This was the former Greater Cleveland Council. The council merged with the northern counties of both Heart of Ohio Council and Greater Western Reserve Council.History
Organization
- Western Trails District
- Central District
- Tinkers Creek District
- Grand River District
- Headwaters District
- Firelands District
- Great Frontier District
- Exploring District
Camps
- Camp McIntosh features 12 lodges sleeping 28-36 with full kitchens and heat and pot belly stoves. It also houses the camp's swimming pool.
- Camp Broadbent features 11 tent campsites, a shower house, the trading post, a climbing tower, a High and Low COPE course, archery, shotgun and rifle ranges, amphitheater, health lodge and Environmental Resource Center. During April–October, an additional 8 family cabins are available with bathrooms, heat and small kitchens sleeping 6. The area also features Lake Klein, which supports fishing, boating, ziplines, and jetskis, offered during Summer Camp.
- Camp McCahill features 11 tent campsites and a reception building.
- Cub World is a separate camp within Beaumont Scout Reservation designed especially for the Cub Scout camper. The area features a Climbing Fort, Obstacle Course, Baseball Diamond, Sledding Hill, Shooting Ranges, Basketball Court, Pavilion, and Activity Center. For the Lake Erie Council, it is the home base for all Cub activities. The Cub Activity Center features a large area for inside events and crafts, as well as a full kitchen, heated and flush facilities. The Activity Center is available for unit or event rental, but is not designed for overnight accommodations. The Pavilion has picnic tables for 150+, electric lights and a fire ring on its south side. The area has both a covered Archery and BB Gun Range for Tiger Cubs to Webelos Scouts. Beginning in 2012, both ranges have electricity and lighting.
- Beaumont Village is a family-style campground within Beaumont Scout Reservation available to Scout and non-Scout groups, with accommodations for RVs and Tents, and also contains a picnic shelter and full shower facilities.
- The Augustus Dining Hall in Camp Broadbent is named after Cleveland businessman Ellsworth Hunt Augustus who served as tenth President of the Boy Scouts of America and contains dining facilities with a full kitchen, and a training center. The training center is the headquarters for the council's Wood Badge and NYLT training.
Firelands Scout Reservation was added to the council in January, 2017 after Heart of Ohio Council merged with the legacy Greater Cleveland Council to form the new Lake Erie Council. Firelands is home to 2 camps, Camp Avery Hand, and Camp Wyandot. Both camps will now be used all year around for scouters to use. The only negative to Firelands Scout Reservation is there is no pool. The reservation will serve as a Cub Resident Camp for the council.
Tinnerman Wilderness Canoe Base, more commonly known as Tinnerman Canoe Base, was a "high-adventure base" located on the banks of the French River, in Ontario. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the French River area was a major trade route used to exchange furs trapped in the West with various goods made in the East and in Europe. Tinnerman is nicknamed the "Land of the Joli Voyageur". The land that the Tinnerman base is located on was owned by Albert H. Tinnerman, inventor of the speed nut. After Mr. Tinnerman's passing in 1961, his grandson Bill Buttriss of Cleveland Ohio tried to obtain a commercial license for the camp. The Ontario government said that any one area would support only so many camps and they felt the lower French had enough camps at that time. Though appealed, a license was not possible for the camp. It was at this time the family decided to donate the camp to the Cleveland Area Scout Council. Two weeks after the formal donation, Mr. Buttriss received a letter from the Ontario government stating that since one of the camps in the area had closed its doors, the license would now be available.
From 1963 to 2011, the base was owned and operated by the Greater Cleveland Council. In 2011, citing a lack of attendance and other factors, the Greater Cleveland Council permanently closed Tinnerman Canoe Base and put it up for sale. Distraught Tinnerman alumni created a detailed proposal for a non-profit Tinnerman Foundation, to keep the camp operating as a canoe base for youthful explorers. On February 21, 2012 the Greater Cleveland Council announced that "the executive board of Greater Cleveland Council, Boy Scouts of America voted to unanimously accept a cash offer of $415,000 for the property on the French River in Ontario, Canada that was the Tinnerman Wilderness Canoe Base. The purchase offer has no contingencies and is expected to be completed in early May 2012."
Order of the Arrow
- Cuyahoga Lodge #17 - CLOSED as of 2017
Heart of Ohio Council
Heart of Ohio Council was created in 1994. It was composed of four districts. Geographically, the Heart of Ohio Council served the youth of Ashland, Crawford, Erie, Huron, Lorain, Marion, Morrow, Richland, and Wyandot Counties in North Central Ohio.History
The Heart of Ohio Council was officially organized in 1994 with the merger of the Harding Area, the Johnny Appleseed Area and the Firelands Area Councils, and was one of the largest geographic councils within the state of Ohio. In 2017, the Heart of Ohio Council was dissolved and split, with the northern counties of Erie, Huron and Lorain joining the newly formed Lake Erie Council, and the remaining southern counties joining the Buckeye Council.Organization
- Johnny Appleseed Trail District
- The Firelands District
- Great Frontier District
- Harding Area District
Camps
The reservation is about 70% wooded. There is a 23-acre lake with an island connected by a peninsula on Camp Wyandot. The camp has operated as a Scout camp since 1938. Cabin and tent camping are available.
Order of the Arrow
- Portage Lodge 619
Miami Valley Council
Headquartered in Dayton, the Miami Valley Council serves Darke, Preble, Miami, Shelby and Montgomery counties in Ohio.Muskingum Valley Council
Muskingum Valley Council was created in 1956. It is composed of three districts.History
Organization
- Arrowhead District
- Forest Trails
- Zane Trace District
Camps
Order of the Arrow
- Netawatwees Lodge #424
Ohio River Valley Council
Simon Kenton Council
Simon Kenton Council serves Scouts in central and southern Ohio and in northern Kentucky. The council headquarters is in Columbus, Ohio.Tecumseh Council
Tecumseh Council was founded in 1923. It is composed of five districts and serves more than 4,700 youth in five counties in Ohio.History
Organization
- Blue Jacket District serves Logan County, Ohio.
- Bull Skin Trail District serves Champaign County, Ohio.
- Chillicothe District serves Greene County, Ohio.
- Lagonda District seves Clark County, Ohio.
- Robert E. Hadley District serves Clinton County, Ohio.
Camps
Order of the Arrow
- Tarhe Lodge
Girl Scouts of the USA in Ohio
Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council
Serving girls in several eastern counties in Ohio, and headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia.Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council
Serving girls in Lawrence County, Ohio, and headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky.Girl Scouts of North East Ohio
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio serves nearly 30,000 girls and has 14,000 adult volunteers.GSNEO was formed in 2007 by the merger of five different councils: Erie Shores, Great Trail, Lake Erie, Lake to River, and Western Reserve. Its history dates back to 1912 when the first known girl scout troop in the area was started.
Service Centers:
- Macedonia, Ohio
- Lorain, Ohio
- Youngstown, Ohio
- North Canton, Ohio
- Camp Ledgewood, established in 1931 with and a lake in Peninsula, Ohio within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park boundaries.
- Camp Timberlane, a camp in Wakeman, Ohio which was acquired in 1956.
- Camp Sugarbush, with nearly in Kinsman, Ohio.
Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council
This was formed by a merger of Girl Scouts - Seal of Ohio Council, Girl Scouts - Heart of Ohio, and Heritage Trails Girl Scout Council
on January 1, 2009.
Council camps are Beckoning Trails in the Hocking hills with, Crooked Lane near Mt. Gilead, Ohio with, Ken-Jockety along the Big Darby Creek in Franklin County, Molly Lauman near Lucasville, Ohio with, and Wakatomika in Licking County with. The Zanesville Service Center in Muskingum County also has which can be used for camping. Camp Cornish in Knox County had been a Girl Scout camp but was sold and acquired by a local community foundation for use by non-profit groups; the local council has 35 guaranteed days a year at it.
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio serves about 42,000 girls in Western Ohio and southeast Indiana.This was formed by a merger of Girl Scouts of Appleseed Ridge, Girl Scouts of Buckeye Trails Council, Girl Scout Great Rivers Council, and Girl Scouts of Maumee Valley Council.
Service Centers:
- Dayton, Ohio
- Lima, Ohio
- Toledo, Ohio
Scouting museums in Ohio
**
*
*
- The Mill at Camp Crowell/Hilaka contains many Girl Scout artifacts.
International Scouting units in Ohio
- Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség Hungarian Scouting maintains four troops in Cleveland.
- The Federation of North-American Explorers Catholic Explorers movement has a Group in Cincinnati.