kids encyclopedia robot

Scouting in North Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Scouting in North Carolina
Camp Raven Knob.jpg
Camp Raven Knob

Scouting in North Carolina has a long and exciting history! It started way back in the 1910s and continues today, helping thousands of young people learn important skills and have fun. Scouting programs are designed to fit the places where kids live, whether it's the mountains, the coast, or the city.

How Scouting Began

The Boy Scout program first started in England. It was created by a man named Robert Baden-Powell. He became famous in Britain for leading soldiers during a big fight called the Boer War in South Africa (1899–1900). After this, a military training book he wrote, "Aids to Scouting," became very popular with boys in Britain.

In the early 1900s, Baden-Powell started thinking about how to create a program for boys. In the summer of 1907, he tested his ideas. He took 22 boys to Brownsea Island for the very first Boy Scout camp. He split the boys into four groups, which he called the "patrol method." In 1908, Baden-Powell published "Scouting for Boys," which was the first Boy Scout handbook.

Scouting Comes to the United States

Scouting arrived in the United States soon after. There were already groups for boys, like the Sons of Daniel Boone and the Woodcraft Indians. A Chicago publisher named William D. Boyce learned about Scouting during a trip to London in 1909. A young boy helped Mr. Boyce find his way and refused a tip, saying he was a Scout. Mr. Boyce was very impressed! He visited the Boy Scouts' office in London. He thought American boys could really benefit from this program.

On February 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) officially started. A main office was set up in New York City. James E. West was hired to lead this new organization.

Early Scouting in North Carolina

Boy Scout groups, called troops, began forming in North Carolina as early as 1910. Troops started at schools and churches in cities like Greensboro, Raleigh, and Charlotte. Adult volunteers helped boys learn outdoor skills, first aid, swimming, and how to be good citizens and leaders.

As more troops formed, volunteers looked for professional leaders. Boy Scout Councils were then created by the BSA. These councils hired "Scout Executives" to help manage the growing program.

At first, big cities had their own councils. For example, there was the Greensboro Area Council (1918) and the Winston-Salem Council (1919). Over time, smaller councils joined together. By 1950, North Carolina had thirteen Boy Scout councils:

Council Name Main Office Started In
Cape Fear Council Wilmington 1930
Central NC Council Albemarle 1937
Cherokee Council Reidsville 1923
Daniel Boone Council Asheville 1925
East Carolina Council Kinston 1932
General Greene Council Greensboro 1947
Mecklenburg County Council Charlotte 1942
Occoneechee Council Raleigh 1929
Old Hickory Council Winston-Salem 1942
Piedmont Council Gastonia 1924
Tidewater Council Virginia Beach, VA 1935
Tuscarora Council Goldsboro 1923
Uwharrie Council High Point 1923

Camping was a very important part of Scouting from the beginning. Each council bought or rented land for Boy Scout camps. During the summer, these camps were open for several weeks. Older Scouts and adults taught younger Scouts many different skills. In the mid-1930s, most councils also started holding yearly "camporees." These were weekend events where troops camped together. Patrols would compete and show off their Scouting skills.

Some of these early councils, like Uwharrie, General Greene, and Cherokee, later joined to form the Old North State Council. This means that as of 2022, eleven councils still serve North Carolina.

Boy Scout Councils in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to eleven Boy Scouts of America (BSA) councils. Ten of these councils serve only North Carolina. One council also includes parts of Virginia.

Cape Fear Council

Cape Fear Council (#425)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Wilmington, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1989

The Cape Fear Council started in 1989. It serves the southeastern part of North Carolina. The main office is in Wilmington.

Council Districts

Scout Camps

The council has two camp properties. Camp Bowers is where the yearly BSA summer camp is held. Camp John A. McNeil hosts events for Cub Scouts. Both camps are part of the Cape Fear Scout Reservation near White Oak, North Carolina. They also have spots for camping all year round.

Order of the Arrow

The Klahican Lodge 331 serves this council through the Order of the Arrow.

Central North Carolina Council

Central North Carolina Council (#416)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Albemarle, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1937

The Central North Carolina Council started in 1937. It covers the south-central part of North Carolina. The main office is in Albemarle.

Council Districts

Scout Camps

The council runs Camp Barnhardt. This camp hosts the yearly BSA summer camp. It also has many programs throughout the year, including camping all year round. It is located on the William C. Cannon Scout Reservation, near Badin and New London along Badin Lake.

Order of the Arrow

The Itibapishe iti Hollo Lodge 188 serves this council through the Order of the Arrow.

Daniel Boone Council

Daniel Boone Council (#414)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Asheville, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1925

The Daniel Boone Council started in 1925. It covers the western part of North Carolina. The main office is in Asheville.

Council Districts

Scout Camps

The council runs Camp Daniel Boone. This camp hosts the yearly BSA summer camp. It also has Boonseboro Village, which is a living history museum run by Scouts. There's also a high-adventure camp and other programs all year. It's located in the mountains south of Canton, North Carolina.

Order of the Arrow

The Tsali Lodge 134 serves this council through the Order of the Arrow.

East Carolina Council

East Carolina Council (#426)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Kinston, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1932

The East Carolina Council started in 1932. It covers east-central North Carolina. The main office is in Kinston.

Council Districts

Scout Camps

This council has several camp properties. The East Carolina Scout Reservation includes Camp Boddie and Pamlico Sea Base. It is located near Blounts Creek, North Carolina, along the Pamlico River. The Herbert C. Bonner Scout Reservation (Camp Bonner and Camp Hannah Bonner) is also along the Pamlico River. Camp Charles is near Bailey, North Carolina. Camp Sam Hatcher is along Bogue Sound near Morehead City.

BSA Summer Camp is held at Camp Boddie. Sea Scouts programs are at Pamlico Sea Base. Other camps have programs and are open for weekend camping.

Order of the Arrow

The Croatan Lodge 117 serves this council through the Order of the Arrow.

Mecklenburg County Council

Mecklenburg County Council (#415)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Charlotte, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1942

The Mecklenburg County Council serves Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Its offices are in Charlotte.

Council Districts

  • Apache District: Covers Southwestern Mecklenburg County.
  • Etowah District: Covers Southeastern Mecklenburg County.
  • Hornets Nest District: Covers Northern Mecklenburg County.

Scout Camps

The council has two camp facilities. Belk Scout Camp (formerly Clear Creek Scout Camp) in Midland, North Carolina is available for weekend camping. Camp Grimes is at Mecklenburg Scout Reservation, near Marion, North Carolina. It runs a summer camp and weekend programs.

Order of the Arrow

The Catawba Lodge 459 serves this council through the Order of the Arrow.

Occoneechee Council

Occoneechee Council (#421)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Raleigh, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1929

The Occoneechee Council started in 1929. It covers the Research Triangle and Sandhills areas in central North Carolina. The main office is in Raleigh.

Council Districts

Scout Camps

Occoneechee Scout Reservation is in Moore County near Carthage. It has Camp Durant, used for summer camping, and Camp Reeves, which has more basic facilities. Camp Campbell is just across the North Carolina-Virginia border on Kerr Lake. All three camps are open all year for weekend camping.

Order of the Arrow

The Occoneechee Lodge 104 serves this council through the Order of the Arrow.

Old Hickory Council

Old Hickory Council (#427)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1942

The Old Hickory Council started in 1917. It covers the western Piedmont Triad and Yadkin Valley areas in the northwestern part of the state. The main office is in Winston-Salem.

Council Districts

Scout Camps

The council runs Raven Knob Scout Reservation. This is home to Camp Raven Knob, the summer camp program, and is available for weekend camping. They also own Raven Point, a small site on High Rock Lake. Another property is Tommy Cox Memorial Scout Camp in Independence, Virginia.

Order of the Arrow

The Wahissa Lodge 118 serves this council through the Order of the Arrow.

Old North State Council

Main article: Old North State Council
Old North State Council (#070)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Greensboro, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1992

The Old North State Council serves the eastern Piedmont Triad area. Its name comes from North Carolina's official song, The Old North State. It covers counties like Alamance, Guilford, and Rockingham.

The Order of the Arrow group for this council is Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge (#70).

Scout Camps

Camp facilities include Cherokee Scout Reservation, located in Yanceyville. This is where the yearly summer camp is held. Woodfield Scout Camp, in Trinity, North Carolina, allows weekend camping. Hemric Scout Reservation is on an island on Kerr Lake and can only be reached by boat. Hagan Sea Base is on High Rock Lake and runs Sea Scouts programs.

Piedmont Council

Piedmont Council (#420)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Gastonia, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1924

The Piedmont Council started in 1924. It serves the central and southern Piedmont regions of North Carolina. The main office is in Gastonia.

Council Districts

Scout Camps

The council runs Camp Bud Schiele (formerly Camp Natomi). It is located on the Schiele Scout Reservation near Rutherfordton. This camp is used for summer camp programs and weekend camping.

Order of the Arrow

The Eswau Huppeday Lodge 560 serves this council through the Order of the Arrow.

Tidewater Council

Tidewater Council (#596)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Virginia Beach, Virginia
Country United States
Founded 1911
Scout Executive James Parnell
Website
http://www.tidewaterbsa.com/
Main article: Tidewater Council

The Tidewater Council serves southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. This area is often called the "Tidewater" region. Its Order of the Arrow group is the Blue Heron Lodge. This lodge started in 1946.

North Carolina Counties Served

The North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Perquimans, and Pasquotank are part of the Albemarle District.

Scout Camps

Camping facilities are located at Pipsico Scout Reservation in Surry County, Virginia.

Tuscarora Council

Tuscarora Council (#424)
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters Goldsboro, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1923

The Tuscarora Council started in 1923. It serves four counties in the east-central part of North Carolina. Its main office is in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

Council Districts

  • Neusiok District: Covers Johnston County and Sampson County.
  • Torhunta District: Covers Wayne County and Duplin County.

Scout Camps

Camping facilities are located at Camp Tuscarora. It is between Four Oaks and Newton Grove.

Order of the Arrow

The Nayawin Rar Lodge 296 serves this council through the Order of the Arrow.

Girl Scouting in North Carolina

Girl Scouts of the USA was created in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low. She was inspired after meeting Lord Baden-Powell and learning about the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in England.

It is thought that the first Girl Scout troop in North Carolina started in 1914. Another early troop began in 1918 in Southern Pines. Its main goal was to help with the war effort during World War I. Girl Scouts quickly grew across North Carolina in the 1930s. The first councils were set up around cities. Over time, these smaller councils joined together.

Because of a national change in the late 2000s, there are now four Girl Scout councils in North Carolina.

Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast

Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast
Owner GSUSA
Headquarters Colfax, North Carolina
Country United States

This council helps almost 8,000 girls in southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina. It also has over 4,000 adult volunteers. In North Carolina, it serves counties like Hertford, Gates, and Currituck.

Scout Camps

This council's five camps are all located in Virginia.

Girl Scouts - North Carolina Coastal Pines

Girl Scouts - North Carolina Coastal Pines
Owner GSUSA
Headquarters Raleigh, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 2007

Girl Scouts - North Carolina Coastal Pines was formed on October 1, 2007. It was created when two other councils joined together. It serves over 32,000 girls and has almost 10,000 adult volunteers. It covers many counties, including Beaufort, Durham, and Wake.

Service Centers

It has service centers in Raleigh, NC, Fayetteville, NC, Goldsboro, NC, and Wilmington, NC.

Scout Camps

  • Camp Graham is 155 acres (0.63 km2) on Kerr Lake.
  • Camp Hardee is 95 acres (0.38 km2) on the Pamlico River near Washington, NC.
  • Camp Mary Atkinson is 262 acres (1.06 km2) in Johnston County, NC.
  • Camp Mu-Sha-Ni is 843 acres (3.41 km2) in Richmond County, NC.

Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont

Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont
Owner GSUSA
Headquarters Virginia Beach, Virginia
Country United States
Founded 2009
President Carolyn Brickey
Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Wilcox

Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont officially began on October 1, 2009. It was formed by four councils in western North Carolina joining together. The council has service centers in Asheville, NC, Colfax, NC, Gastonia, NC, and Hickory, NC. It serves many counties, such as Alamance, Buncombe, and Guilford.

Scout Camps

Girl Scouts, Hornets' Nest Council

Girl Scouts, Hornets' Nest Council
Owner GSUSA
Headquarters Charlotte, North Carolina
Country United States
Founded 1935

The Girl Scouts, Hornets' Nest Council has its main office in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was officially started in 1935. It serves 19,000 girls in counties like Anson, Mecklenburg, and Rowan, plus York County in South Carolina.

Scout Camps

  • Camp Holly Hut is located in Dan Nicholas Park near Salisbury, North Carolina.
  • Dale Earnhardt Environmental Leadership Campus at Oak Springs is 700 acres (2.8 km2). It is about 45 minutes north of Charlotte, North Carolina. It was named after the Dale Earnhardt Foundation because of their help with the property.
  • POD Village is located right behind the GSHNC Service Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. It has 5 "pods," which are octagon-shaped buildings.

See Also

  • Mounted Boy Scout Troop 290
kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Scouting in North Carolina Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.