Valley Forge Pilgrimage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment |
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| Owner | Cradle of Liberty Council | ||
| Date | February 22, 1913 | ||
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The Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment is the oldest yearly scouting event in the world. It first happened on February 22, 1913. This was George Washington's 181st birthday! The event has taken place every year since then. The Cradle of Liberty Council hosts it. This special gathering honors the brave soldiers of the Continental Army. They faced a very tough winter in 1777-78 at Valley Forge. Each year, more than 2,000 people come to experience the winter chill. They participate in this historic event in the Delaware Valley.
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History of the Event
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was only three years old when this event began. Scouting was becoming very popular across the country. About 300 Scouts from Philadelphia and nearby Delaware and Montgomery Counties joined the first pilgrimage.
In the early years, about 125 to 275 Scouts and leaders usually attended. This continued until the Great Depression, a time when many people had little money. The event still happened every year, even during the Depression and World War II. It was just a bit smaller during those tough times. Long ago, Scouts traveled to Valley Forge by train and then walked. They arrived at the Valley Forge Train Station.
An Episcopal priest named Rev. Dr. W. Herbert Burk helped organize the event. He was from Norristown. Dr. Burk also helped build the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge. He stayed involved in planning the yearly pilgrimage for 20 years. The word "pilgrimage" was chosen for a reason. Every group of Scouts would line up with their flags. They would march to the chapel for a special service. This service honored George Washington.
The first official overnight camp, called the Valley Forge Encampment, happened in 1948. Before that, many Scouts camped there unofficially. The area was mostly countryside back then. Famous guests like General John Pershing and Daniel Carter Beard have attended. The biggest crowd was in 1932. This year marked Washington's 200th birthday. About 9,000 Boy Scouts from Pennsylvania and nearby states came. Plus, 10,000 adults and children were there too!
What Happens at the Event
The event has two main parts. First, there's the Encampment. Scouts camp out from Friday to Sunday during the Presidents' Day weekend. Second, there's the Pilgrimage. This part takes place all day Saturday. During the Pilgrimage, participants walk around the Valley Forge National Historical Park. They listen to volunteers from the National Park Service. These volunteers share stories about how the Continental soldiers lived.
You can see copies of the original huts where soldiers stayed. This helps you imagine their daily life. The winter conditions were very bad. The stories also tell how more than 2,000 soldiers died. They suffered from illnesses like typhus, dysentery, typhoid, and pneumonia.
Yearly Themes and Patches
Each year, the Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment has a special theme. These themes are often shown on unique patches that Scouts can collect. For example, in 1950, a log cabin appeared on the pilgrimage patch. In 1958, the Washington memorial was featured. Later themes honored important figures like Baron von Steuben (1974) and Martha Washington (1998). The 2012 event was the 100th anniversary. Its patch showed General George Washington and Dr. W. Herbert Burk, one of the founders. These patches help remember the history and people connected to Valley Forge.
Valley Forge Historical Trail
The Valley Forge Historical Trail is a 9-mile hiking path. It goes through the Valley Forge National Park. The trail climbs about 833 feet in total. The hike begins and ends at the Valley Forge Visitor's Center. To hike this trail, you need a map and a compass. You also need to know how to use them for orienteering. There isn't much water available directly on the trail. However, you can get water about halfway through at the train station restrooms. It's always a good idea to bring your own water too.
The Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the National Park Service created this trail. The hike offers a fun outdoor activity for both kids and adults. It also teaches them about the park's history. Scouts can earn a special medal when they finish the trail.
See also
- Scouting in Pennsylvania
