Scouting in Nebraska
Adams, Nebraska Boy Scout troop circa 1913
Spirit of Nebraska

Scouting in Nebraska has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

Boy Scouts of America

Early history (1910-1960)

The first Eagle Scout in Nebraska was Alva R. Fitch of Norfolk.[1]

The Nebraska Panhandle Area Council was founded in 1929, and in 1931 changed its name to the Scottsbluff Area Council. That council in 1936 changed its name to Wyo-Braska Council, which it remained until it merged into Longs Peak Council in 1975.[2]

In 1920, the Kearney Council (#322) was formed, changing its name to Buffalo County Council (#322) in 1922. The council changed its name back to Kearney Council (#322) in 1923, and to Fort Kearney Council (#322) in 1924. The Fort Kearney Council closed in 1926. In 1920, the Grand Island Council (#323) was formed, changing its name to Hall County Council (#323) in 1922. The council changed its name to Grand Island Council (#323) in 1924. The Grand Island Council closed in 1926. In 1920, the North Platte Council (#325) was formed, closing in 1926. In 1920, the Fremont Council (#327) was formed, hanging its name to the Pawnee Council (#327) in 1923. The council closed in 1928.[2]

In 1917, the McCook Council was formed, and in 1922 the Red Cloud Council formed; both closed by 1923. In 1920, the Scottsbluff Council (#328) was formed. In 1920, the Platte Valley Council (#663) was formed. In 1924 Scottsbluff merged with Platte Valley. The council changed its name to Tri-City Council (#663) in 1926. Tri-City Council closed in 1927. In 1954, both the Tri-Trails (#323) and the Overland Trails (#322) councils were formed.[2]

In 1919, the University Place (#329) and in 1917 the Lincoln (#324) councils were formed. In 1924, University Place (#329) merged into Lincoln (#324), and in 1926 the council changed its name to Lancaster County Council (#324). In 1927, it changed its name back to Lincoln, and in 1929, it changed its name to Cornhusker Council (#324). In 1926, the Nemaha Council (#743) was started. It merged with the Cornhusker Council (#324) in 1932.[2]

In 1917, the Hartington Council was formed, closing in 1918. In 1915, the Omaha Council (#326) was formed, changing its name to the Covered Wagon Council (#326) in 1930.

Recent history (1960-2010)

The 1967 National Order of the Arrow Conference was held at the University of Nebraska.[3]

The Mid-America Council (#326) was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council (#326) and the Southwest Iowa Council (#175) in 1965. In 2000 the council merged with the Prairie Gold Area Council (#179) that had been located in Sioux City, Iowa.[4]

In 1993, Tri-Trails (#323) merged into Overland Trails (#322) council.[2]

Scouting in Nebraska today

There are four Boy Scouts of America local councils in Nebraska. All of Nebraska lies within Central Region, except for Sioux, Scotts Bluff, Banner, Kimball, Cheyenne, Dawes, Box Butte, Morrill, Cheyenne, Sheridan, Garden, Deuel and Grant counties, as part of Western Region.

Cornhusker Council

Cornhusker Council (#324)
HeadquartersLincoln, Nebraska
Website
Cornhusker Council

The Cornhusker Council serves eastern Nebraska, with headquarters in Lincoln and its main offices in Walton at the Outdoor Education Center (OEC).

History

In 1919, the University Place (#329) and in 1917 the Lincoln (#324) councils were formed. In 1924, University Place (#329) merged into Lincoln (#324), and in 1926 the council changed its name to Lancaster County Council (#324). In 1927, it changed its name back to Lincoln, and in 1929, it changed its name to Cornhusker Council (#324).[2]

Organization

The council has three districts:

  • Salt Valley District (Lancaster County)
  • Seven Feathers District
  • Prairie Winds District

Camps

The council camp is Camp Cornhusker, located south of Humboldt, Nebraska.

Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow lodge is the Golden Sun Lodge, #492.

Adventure West Council

The Adventure West Council is headquartered in Greeley, Colorado. Named after the tallest peak in the council territory, Longs Peak Council serves Scouting youth in northeastern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming and western Nebraska. The WyoBraska Council of Scottsbluff merged into the Longs Peak Council in 1973. The council camps are Ben Delatour Scout Ranch near Fort Collins, Colorado and Camp Laramie Peak near Wheatland, Wyoming.

Mid-America Council

Mid-America Council (#326)
HeadquartersOmaha, Nebraska
Founded1965
Website
mac-bsa.org

The Mid-America Council offers programs in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The council was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council and the Southwest Iowa Council in 1965. In 2000 the council merged with the Prairie Gold Area Council that had been located in Sioux City, Iowa.

Overland Trails Council

Overland Trails Council (#322)
HeadquartersGrand Island, Nebraska
Website
www.overlandtrailscouncil.org

The Overland Trails Council (#322) serves youth in western Nebraska, with headquarters in Grand Island. The Tri-Trails Council of North Platte merged into this council in 1994.[2]

History

In 1917, the McCook Council was formed, and in 1922 the Red Cloud Council formed; both closed by 1923. In 1920, the Scottsbluff Council (#328) was formed. In 1920, the Platte Valley Council (#663) was formed. In 1924 Scottsbluff merged with Platte Valley. The council changed its name to Tri-City Council (#663) in 1926. Tri-City Council closed in 1927. In 1954, both the Tri-Trails (#323) and the Overland Trails (#322) councils were formed.[2]

In 1993, Tri-Trails (#323) merged into Overland Trails (#322) council.[2]

Districts
  • Covered Wagon
  • Pawnee
  • Pony Express
  • Buffalo Bill
  • Republican Valley
Camps

The council camp is Camp Augustine, located in Grand Island, although its address is in Doniphan.[5]

Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow Lodge is "Tatanka Anpetu-Wi, #94"

Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouting in Nebraska
Map of Girl Scout Council in Nebraska

There are two Girl Scout councils in Nebraska.

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

Serves Dakota County, Nebraska.

Headquarters
Des Moines, Iowa
Website
www.girlscoutsiowa.org

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska

Spirit of Nebraska council serves over 18,000 girls and has 6,000 adult volunteers in Nebraska, except Dakota County, and also the town of Carter Lake, Iowa (due to a change in the course of the Mississippi river, Carter Lake is surrounded by Nebraska and across the river from the rest of Iowa).

It was formed on May 1, 2008 by the merger of Girl Scouts Goldenrod Council, Girl Scouts — Great Plains Council, Guiding Star Girl Scout Council of Nebraska, Girl Scouts — Homestead Council, and Girl Scouts, Prairie Hills Council of Nebraska.

Headquarters
Omaha, Nebraska
Website
www.girlscoutsnebraska.org
Service Centers
Camps

Other Scouting organizations

American Heritage Girls

American Heritage Girls operates one unit in Omaha, Nebraska.[6]

Trail Life

Trail Life USA has units in the cities of Omaha,[7] McCook, Nebraska City, and Benkelman.[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Faces of Defense Intelligence: Lt. Gen. Alva R. Fitch". DIA News. Washington, D.C.: Defense Intelligence Agency. June 13, 2016. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hook, James; Franck, Dave; Austin, Steve (2003). An Aid to Collecting Selected Council Shoulder Patches with Valuation.
  3. ↑ "NOAC 1967". Our History. Order of the Arrow.
  4. ↑ "Our Council". Mid-America Council.
  5. ↑ "Camp Augustine 75th Anniversary Celebration". Overland Trails Council. May 2020.
  6. ↑ "AHG Troop Locations". American Heritage Girls.
  7. ↑ "Trail Life USA Troop 812". Facebook.
  8. ↑ "Troop Locator". Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Boy Scouts alternative springing up in Nebraska".
  10. ↑ Wendell, Bryan (August 10, 2010). "Statue honors Ben Nelson, Distinguished Eagle Scout and Nebraska senator". Bryan on Scouting. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
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