Del-Mar-Va Council facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Del-Mar-Va Council (#081)
Owner	Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters	Wilmington, Delaware
Country	United States
Website delmarvacouncil.org

The Del-Mar-Va Council is a special group that helps young people in the Boy Scouts of America on the Delmarva Peninsula. This area includes parts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The council helps thousands of Scouts learn important skills, go on adventures, and become good citizens. It offers many exciting programs and manages several amazing Scout camps.

How the Del-Mar-Va Council is Organized

The Del-Mar-Va Council is split into different local areas called districts. This helps them manage all the Scout troops and packs in the region.

Henson Scout Reservation: An Adventure Camp

Henson Scout Reservation
Administration building lounge in 2003
Henson Scout Reservation Location in Maryland Show map of Maryland Henson Scout Reservation Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates	38°33′29″N 75°44′13″W / 38.55796°N 75.73684°W / 38.55796; -75.73684
Founded	1965

Henson Scout Reservation, sometimes called Camp Nanticoke, is a huge Scout camp covering about 1,800-acre (7.3 km²) of land. It's located on the Delmarva Peninsula near Galestown, Maryland. This camp is one of two main Scout camps in the area. Thousands of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts visit Henson every summer. It's also open all year for special Scout events and for other groups to rent. Boy Scout and Cub Scout programs are run separately to best suit each age group.

Henson Camp's History

Henson Scout Reservation is named after Richard A. Henson, a pilot and generous person from Salisbury, Maryland. The Del-Mar-Va Council has been running this camp since the summer of 1965. When it first opened, the camp was known as Camp Nanticoke. That name is now used for the main camping area within the reservation. Many people still call the whole reservation "Camp Nanticoke."

The camp's large, mostly untouched land is a natural treasure. It provides a home for many birds, mammals, and fish, including the bald eagle. The entire camp is protected to keep its natural beauty safe, thanks to a partnership with The Nature Conservancy.

Boy Scout Programs at Henson

Henson Scout Reservation offers many classic summer camp activities for Boy Scouts. These include swimming, learning about nature and ecology, handicrafts, and Scoutcraft (which teaches camping and outdoor skills). Scouts can also try archery, rifle and shotgun shooting, and fishing.

A very popular program for first-year campers is called Brownsea. Since the camp is located on the Marshyhope Creek, which flows into the Nanticoke River, it has a great waterfront program. Scouts can go canoeing, rowing, sailing, and even motorboating. There's also a fitness program where Scouts can earn merit badges for physical fitness, biking, and golf.

For older Boy Scouts, the camp has a high adventure trekking program. This involves a week-long canoe and bicycling trip around the Nanticoke River area. The Eagle Base program helps older Scouts earn special merit badges needed for the Eagle rank, which is the highest rank in Scouting.

Cub Scout Programs at Henson

While Cub Scouts often attend day camps, Henson Scout Reservation offers an overnight camp experience. This camp helps Cub Scouts learn the basics of camping in a fun and organized way. They offer 3-day, 2-night sessions for both Cub Scouts and Webelos. There are also week-long sessions just for Webelos. Each year, the programs have a fun theme. For example, the summer 2008 theme was "Wild West." In 2007, the theme was "Exploring the New World," celebrating 400 years since Capt. John Smith explored the Chesapeake Bay.

Rodney Scout Reservation: Bayfront Adventures

Rodney Scout Reservation
Location	North East, Maryland
Rodney Scout Reservation Location in Maryland Show map of Maryland Rodney Scout Reservation Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates	39°31′43″N 75°57′26″W / 39.5286358°N 75.9571008°W / 39.5286358; -75.9571008
Founded	1923
Website http://www.delmarvacouncil.org/

Rodney Scout Reservation is another camp run by the Del-Mar-Va Council, Boy Scouts of America. It covers about 900 acres (3.6 km²) of rolling woodlands at the top of the Chesapeake Bay. The camp has over a mile of beautiful bay shoreline. Rodney Scout Reservation has been open continuously since 1923.

Rodney Camp's History and Location

Rodney Scout Reservation is located in Cecil County, Maryland. It's about 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of major highways like I-95 and U.S. Route 40, near North East, Maryland. This makes the camp easy to reach from cities like Baltimore, Washington, Wilmington, and Philadelphia.

The camp is built on what used to be an old iron mining site called Whitaker Iron. In 1922, Senator T. Coleman du Pont and his wife generously gave the land to the Wilmington Council, which was the name for the Del-Mar-Va Council back then. They also provided a lot of money to help build the new Scout camp. Today, the camp has many facilities, campgrounds for about two dozen troops, and offers a wide range of merit badges. Activities include traditional Scouting programs, plus robotics, shooting sports, sailing, power boating, rock climbing, cycling, and geocaching.

Summer Camp Fun at Rodney

The Chesapeake Bay as seen from Rodney Scout Reservation

For seven to eight weeks during the summer, Rodney Scout Reservation hosts long-term summer camping. The camp is staffed by paid employees of the Del-Mar-Va Council. Scouts can earn merit badges and take part in programs in many different areas:

• Aquatics: This includes activities at the pool, sailing base, and boatyard.
• Brownsea: A special program for first-year campers, located behind the main trading post.
• Climbing: Located near Brown Lodge.
• Handicraft: Connected to the main trading post, where Scouts can make crafts.
• High adventure sailing: A week-long sailing trip up the Chesapeake Bay.
• Health and Fitness: Located behind the Sampson Lodge.
• NEST (Nature, Ecology, Science, and Technology): Found at the Nature Lodge.
• Scoutcraft: Located next to the Camp Director's house, focusing on outdoor skills.
• Shooting sports: Includes archery, shotgun, and rifle shooting, grouped together between the trading post and Scoutcraft.

Winter Camping at Rodney

From September to May, Rodney Scout Reservation is open for weekend camping. During these months, the camp is run by volunteer Rodney Campmaster Crews. Some weekends feature special programs organized by districts within the Del-Mar-Va Council. Most weekends, the campmaster crews offer activities like orienteering, cooking, or rifle shooting.

Akridge Scout Reservation: Delaware's First Scout Camp

Akridge Scout Reservation
Location	Dover, Delaware
Akridge Scout Reservation Location in Delaware Show map of Delaware Akridge Scout Reservation Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates	39°07′47″N 75°33′01″W / 39.1297871°N 75.5503335°W / 39.1297871; -75.5503335
Founded	2011
Website http://www.delmarvacouncil.org/

Akridge Scout Reservation is also run by the Del-Mar-Va Council, Boy Scouts of America. It's located on about 85 acres (0.3 km²) of farmland in Dover, Delaware. This camp is special because it's the very first Boy Scout camp in Delaware! Construction began on September 17, 2011. The first big event held there was a Council Jamboree from May 4–6, 2012.

Order of the Arrow: Scouting's Honor Society

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is Scouting's national honor society. It recognizes Scouts who best live up to the Scout Oath and Law. Members are chosen by their peers and serve Scouting through cheerful service.

Nentego Lodge 20 History

On July 29, 1925, a group called Unalachtico Lodge was formed within the Del-Mar-Va Council. This group was part of the Order of the Arrow. Its members came from Camp Rodney, and it was named after the Unalachtigo Lenape (or Delaware Indians) who used to live in the area. Their symbol was the turkey. However, by the late 1930s, this lodge stopped being active.

Later, on June 22, 1957, the lodge was started again with help from another lodge, Delmont Lodge #43. The members chose a new name: Nentego. This name comes from a major Delaware Tribe and means "People from across the water." The symbol for Nentego Lodge is the Rockfish, which can be found in the Chesapeake Bay. The lodge colors are blue, representing the water, and grey, for the Rockfish. The first Nentego Lodge patch appeared in 1957, and its basic design is still used today.

Section NE-4C History (Brief)

The Nentego Lodge is part of a larger group called Section NE-4C. This section was created in June 1994, when the different areas of the Northeast Region of the Boy Scouts of America were reorganized. Section NE-4C is now one of three Order of the Arrow Sections in Area 4 of the Northeast Region.