HISTORY OF COUNCILS IN THE BSA
FEATURED STATE: Rhode Island
By Ed Henderson
With
every issue, the Scouting E-Zine focuses on a different state in the union
where we examine how Scouting has evolved over the past 90 years. In our
last issue (December 1st) on Indiana we heard back from Amy Roudebush
who wrote:
"Wow! This Indiana history you did was awesome! A lot of work
too!
Thank you so much for doing it."
The
states we have presented so far can be referenced in our archives, they
include:
MISSOURI
SOUTH CAROLINA
INDIANA
If
you would like for us to profile your state next for our E-Zine send us
an e-mail at info@honorpub.com and we will research your state Scouting
History.
RHODE
ISLAND SCOUTING HISTORY
By Ed Henderson
Even old timers of the Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (the long name for the state) might be surprised to learn that even one of the smallest states in the Union has it share of merged councils and a rich Scouting History. The sole surviving council in the state is Narragansett Council #546 . Narragansett now covers the entire state plus it recently picked up the territory of the now defunct Moby Dick Council based in New Bedford MA.
When
we get around to writing Massachusetts Council history it will practically
be a book itself. The New Bedford MA based Moby Dick Council itself was
a relatively new council formed in 1971 and was the result of a number
of mergers and name changes. When the council ended operations in 1999
it has a small portion of Rhode Island as part of its service area.
With the ending of that council, Narragansett became one of a very small handful of BSA councils to serve an entire state. (Can you name the others? - Check the next issue for that answer).
Today the Narragansett Council serves scouts in both Massachusetts and Connecticut as well as all of Rhode Island.
Narragansett Council was established in 1930 with its current council name and headquarters city in Providence, but the first council chartered in Providence can be traced as far back as 1916.
As Scouting began in the state there was at one time four councils. Newport RI has a council of the same name from 1918 to 1924 (Council # 547). In 1924 the name was slightly changed to Newport County Council. It lasted two more years before disbanding in 1926.
Pawtucket RI also had a council of the same name dating back to 1917 that lasted three years before ending in 1920 (Council # 548). The council reorganized as the Pawtucket & Central Falls Council in 1922 and ran for eight years before its final merger which formed the modern day Narragansett Council.
Woonsocket RI formed a council (#549) in 1924. This council operated for just six years before the statewide consolidation of 1930.
Providence RI has had a council presence since 1916, known then simply as the Providence Council (#546). Over the years the Providence Council has retained the same BSA issued Council number to this day.
In 1926 the council changed its name to the Greater Providence Area Council, reflecting the pick up of the territory left by the termination of the Newport County Council. As with all other councils in the state, this one lasted just four years until the big 1930 merger consolidation of three councils.
As noted above, the council did expand its boundaries again in 1999 with the closure of the Moby Dick Council but there was no change in name or council number as often occurs when new council areas are added.
RHODE ISLAND SCOUT CAMPS
Narragansett Council has a number of camps but there is one that stands out as one of the crown jewels of Northeast Region. The fabled Yawgoog Scout Reservation located near Rockville RI has been around since 1916 - making it one of the oldest councils in the nation. Camp Yawgoog is named after an Narragansett Indian Chief and was once a 150 acre parcel that was leased for one year then purchased by the Rhode Island Boy Scouts (RIBS). The property includes two ponds named Yawgoog and Wincheck (another Indian Chief).
Over the years the camp has grown and also developed a very strong, dedicated, and loyal following of former staff members and alumni. The camp boasts programs and facilities that, in some cases, are unique like a regular Fire Department for the facility. There are two excellent Websites for the camp, both with many pictures and history:
THE OFFICIAL COUNCIL WEBSITE FOR YAWGOOG - http://www.yawgoog.org/
UNOFFICIAL ALUMNI WEBSITE FOR YAWGOOG - http://www.campyawgoog.org/
Aside from Yawgoog there are several other camps in the state:
Aquapaug Scout Reservation is located in South Kingston. Occupies 200 acres and has an extra large lake that offers swimming, boating, canoeing, sailing, motor boating and skiing.
Buck Hill Scout Reservation is located in Pascoag, RI. The camp occupies 1700 acres and is located on a lake (50 or more acres) that offers swimming, boating, canoeing, sailing. They offer tent campsites, winter cabins for overnight groups.
Camp Sand Island is a primitive camp on Block Island with three sites. Access is only by the Block Island ferry boat which is located at Galilee State Pier across from the Department of Environmental Management.
Champlin Scout Reservation is located in Cranston RI. Occupies 125 acres and has a swimming pool and a river for boating and canoeing.
Feinstein Youth Camp has all of the adventure a Cub Scout can handle, and then some. For the first time, Cubs and their parents can camp overnight in the new camp specifically designed for cub-size abilities & interest.
To see all of the scout unit websites within this council visit:
Net_Roster/Boy_Scouts_of_America/Councils/council.asp?cid=292
The
author maintains the links at NetRoster,
Scout
Camp Database and the ScoutCamp.org
for South Carolina. For corrections contact him at BigEd@usscouts.org
Where would you like the staff at the Scouting E-Zine to take you next,
write us at info@honorpub.com
and tell us which state's history you want to read about in our next issue!