Scouting in New Hampshire

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Scouting in New Hampshire 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.

1 Early history (1910-1950)
2 Recent history (1950-Present)
3 Scouting in New Hampshire today
- 3.1 Daniel Webster Council
- 3.2 Yankee Clipper Council
4 Girl Scouting in New Hampshire
5 Scouting museums in New Hampshire
6 See also

[edit] Early history (1910-1950)

Daniel Webster Council's charter was issued in August 1929.

[edit] Recent history (1950-Present)

In 1945, Camp Carpenter became the official Scout camp for Daniel Webster Council. In 1969, the council, under the leadership of Max I. Silber, established the Lawrence L. Lee Scout Museum at Camp Carpenter, to recognize the council's longtime Scout Executive. Around 1970, the Daniel Webster Council acquired Hidden Valley Scout Reservation on the Griswold Scout Reservation from Norumbega Council in Massachusetts. Hidden Valley is located in Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire. In the late 1980s, Camp Carpenter became a Cub Scout camp during the summer months. In the early 2000's, the Griswold Scout Reservation was divided into the renamed Hidden Valley Scout Camp and the new Camp Bell. Camp Bell had previously existed on the property as a camp run by various organization such as the YMCA.

[edit] Scouting in New Hampshire today

There are two Boy Scouts of America local councils in New Hampshire.

[edit] Daniel Webster Council

Abnaki District
Arrowhead District
Great Northern District
Historic District
Massabesic District
Mount Monadnock District
Sunapee District
Wannalancit District
Nutfield District

The council's website is http://www.dwcbsa.org

[edit] Yankee Clipper Council

Main article: Scouting in Massachusetts

On January 1, 1993 the North Essex Council, the North Bay Council and the Lone Tree Council were merged together to form the Yankee Clipper Council. In December 1999 the Greater Lowell Council was also merged into the Yankee Clipper Council. Today the council has five districts, serving a large corner of northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. With six or seven towns located in the Lone Tree District, Yankee Clipper Council is the smaller of the two Boy Scout councils in the Granite State.

[edit] Location

30 Onway Lake Road
Lat: 43.038107 Lon: -71.211275
Camp Onway is located in Raymond, New Hampshire on the shores of Lake Onway.

[edit] Directions

From Route I-93N: Take Route I-93 North to Route 101 East in New Hampshire. Take the first Exit 4 (Raymond) off of Route 101. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left and pass over the Bridge. Then turn left just before the Fire Station onto Scriber Road. At the fork, bear right, then take the next right onto Onway Lake Road. The camp entrance is approximately 1/2 a mile down on the left.

From Route I-95N: Take Route I-95 North to Exit 2 in New Hampshire at the Hampton Toll Booth (costs $0.50). Take Route 101 West to Exit 4 (Raymond). At the end of the exit ramp turn right. Then turn right just after the Fire Station onto Scriber Road. At the fork, bear right, then take the next right onto Onway Lake Road. The camp entrance is approximately 1/2 a mile down on the left.

[edit] History

Camp Onway is located on Onway Lake, formerly known as Jones Pond, in Rockingham County, Raymond, New Hampshire. The name Onway comes from the latter part of the name of the great Bahaba (ruling chief) who led the nation of many tribes of Native Americans that ruled this area - Passaconaway.

This land has been used as a camping place since 1900. The first camp was a county YMCA camp for boys. The YMCA used the Pine Grove, located at approximately the center of the waterfront property. For a period of five to ten years the YMCA shared this land for one month with the Girls Work Community Council of, Exeter, NH. They operated together until 1924 at which time the county YMCA purchased a camp site in Kingston, NH. The Girls Work Community Council operated the land until 1929.

In 1929, the North Essex Council (itself barely a year old) consisting of Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, and North Andover purchased the land for $4,400. A mortgage of $2,700 was held by Mr. Burchard E. Horne who, through his contribution, liquidated the entire amount. The mortgage was burned at the tenth anniversary of Camp Onway, July 21, 1940. The dining hall was named for Mr. Horne in recognition of his interest in Scouting.

When camp opened in 1930, there were two troop campsites. The first was Abnacki, which came from the Native American tribe Abnacki who were ruled by Passaconaway. The second was Pedhela, the name taken from the two presidents of North Essex Council, Mr. William Peddler, and Mr. James Hennessey, and from the chairman of the Camping Committee, Mr. Stanley Lane: PEDdler + HEnnessy + LAne = PEDHELA.

In 1930, the St. James cabin was built and is the oldest standing building in camp today. As the camp grew, so did the facilities. Between 1940 and 1945, the cabin just up hill from the dining hall (cabin 7) and the Geoge Wilson Lodge (prior to 1998 this was the Health Lodge) were built. A new road was added to make travel in and out of camp easier. In 1964, the Camp Ranger's house burned down and was rebuilt along with a new maintenance building. In the years to follow, more additions were made such as the shower facilities, rifle and archery ranges, the Catholic Chapel, and the Charrette Activity Center and Takesian Memorials. The kitchen was rebuilt and the dining hall was modernized in 1971 after fire struck again. Other additions include the staff cabins, the expansion of the waterfront area, an increase in the conservation practices including multi-land use and a Woodbadge/Leadership Development area.

In 1989, Onway's 60th Anniversary, Camp Onway and North Essex Council welcomed the North Bay Council in the first year of a shared camping venture between the two councils. In the following years improvements were made to the campsite latrines, the conversion of the Trail Center to become the new Commissary/Trading Post and the renovations to the central shower house and Magee Lodge. In 1992, thanks to a gift of $20,000 from the George W. Magee Memorial Trust Fund, a new floating swimming dock system was added to the waterfront.

On January 1, 1993, North Essex Council, North Bay Council, and Lone Tree Council merged to form the new Yankee Clipper Council. A joint camp utilization committee made a decision to concentrate all the council's summer Boy Scout program at Camp Onway and move all Cub and Webelos programs to Lone Tree Scout Reservation.

The Friends of Onway contributed $70,000 to expand and renovate the dining hall to a first class facility in 1994. Additional improvements made included construction of a parking lot, a redesigned Rifle Range and renovations to the newly dedicated Rheaume Nature Lodge. A new latrine was added to the waterfront, and another was built in 1996 at the Rifle Range. 1997 saw the construction of a new storage shed for the Archery Range as well as a weather shelter. In 1998 a new Health Lodge was constructed and later named the Robert Mundry Health Lodge at the June 2000 council annual meeting. Also in 1998 the waterfront lookout tower was rebuilt, and a new walk-in freezer was added to the kitchen.

On July 4, 1999 Camp Onway opened its gates for the start of the 70th Anniversary Celebration.

Currently, Camp Onway consists of 9 campsites,7 of which are currently still in use: Abnaki, Algonquin (Provo), Jacunda, New Magee, Old Magee, Pedhela, and Travers. The other two campsites,Gillwell Fields and Nawachapo are currently being utalized by Scoutcraft and the Woodsman program.The "hill" consists of 6 cabins which house the Junior Staff and the "Hill Patrol". The Senior staff are housed within 4 cabins, the Screenhouse, the Lawrence Cabin, the Andovers Cabin, and the Methuen Cabin. The Director and Program Director are located in Cabin 13,also known as the Directors cabin.

[edit] History of Building Projects

1929
Burchard E. Horne Dinning Hall - the original structure, consisting of the "main" dinning area and kitchen, was on the property at the time of the purchase.
Saint James Cabin - originally used as the cooks cabin, it is now commonly known as the oldest building in the camp.(Plans to renovate has been set forth for the 2006-2007 off-season.
Cabin #7 - formally the Office and Trading Post. Today it is normally used to house junior staff or kitchen staff.

1944
George F. Wilson Lodge - until 1999 this building was the Health Lodge. Currently the building is used as a guest lodge. The building was funded in part by the Lawrence Lions Club.

1945
Quonset Hut - built with government surplus supplies by North Essex volunteers, it now houses the aquatics equipment in the off season.

1946
Magee Cabin - through the funds from the George Magee Fund, the land from Pulpit Rock to Magee Cabin were obtained. The cabin has been the residence of the Camp Director since it was purchased.
Aquatics Tower - built through donations from the George Magee Fund.
Steel docks - gift from the Lawrence Lions Club. These docks were originally used as swimming docks, currently they are used for the boating area.

1948
Dinning Hall Renovations - the kitchen area was rebuilt through funding provided by the Citizens of Greater Lawrence.

1950
Water Line Improvements - first set of four improvements and extensions made to the water line, funded by the George Magee Fund.

1956
Magee Lodge - originally built as the camp office and trading post, it now serves as a Scoutmaster Lounge. In the winter it serves an excellent place to warm your toes after a day in the snow.

1957
Water Line Improvements - second set of improvements, funded by the George Magee Fund.
Loon Lodge (George Russell Lodge) - built as an interdenominational chapel by the Lawrence Exchange Club, was later moved to Onway. Named after George Russell who was a Council Commissioner. As the story goes; he passed away while packing his car to go to Lawrence, Kansas with the Order of the Arrow (OA). The OA was going to perform an Ordeal Ceremony at the National Conference. The project to move the building was lead by Ray Sheehan, former Board Member. Today the building is used to house OA equipment.
Pump House - until 1998 the building, located on the cement slab next to the Amphitheatre, housed a water pump. 1993 was the last year that the fire hoses were set out. The building and pump were a gift from the Lawrence Lions Club.
Dinning Hall Fire Place - the fire place was built through funding provided by the Lawrence Lions Club.

1958
Rangers House - the original house and property was purchased in 1958 when Bruno Prevost was Council President.

1960
George Russell Memorial Chapel - the present Outdoor Chapel, was built in the early 1960's by Henry Bevin and Donald Smith, Chairman of the Lay Committee. Named in memory of George Russell who was a Council Commissioner.

1961
Commissary & Trading Post - originally built as a trading post with funds from Mr. & Mrs. Bruno Prevost. Later it was used as trail center after the Takesian Memorial was built. Today, after many renovations it serves as the camp's trading post.
Main Gate Way - funded by the Lawrence Lions Club.
"Pop Bacon" Road - built by the U.S. Army Reserves and the 879th Corps of Engineers.

1962
St. George Chapel - funds and labor provided by Monsignor Joseph Burke and St. Patrick's Parish, sponsor of Troop 18. Joe Muzerall was the chairman of the Lay Committee. Named after the patron saint of Scouting, Saint George.

1963
Ed Rheaume Nature Lodge - funded and built by Shingebis Lodge #490.
Maintenance Building - built through funding provided by George Magee Fund.
Jack Ingalls Amphitheatre - planned and built by Jack Ingalls and a "few good boys and men" from Shingebis Lodge #490. Tidbit: the seats are old rail road ties from the Boston and Maine R.R., which used to rumble past the camp.

1964
Ranger's House - on February 29 the house was completely destroyed by fire. The present house was relocated and rebuilt with funds from an insurance policy. At the time "Chip" Hastings, a Fire Chief for Kingston, NH, was Camp Ranger.

1965
Water Tank - located in Upper Algonquin, the tank holds 10,000 gallons of water which is fed throughout the camp by gravity. The tank was purchased with funds from the George Magee Fund.

1968
Water Line Improvements - again improvements were made in the line to accommodate the addition of the new tank.
Rifle Range Shelter - original shelter was funded by Stuart Wilson and the Greater Lawrence Auto Parts Dealers.
A new Trading Post was erected thanks to a donation by Prescott. The camp now had a store.

1969
Charette Memorial - built as a program pavilion, later it was closed in. Overhead doors were added along with siding to make the building adaptable for winter camping. The back wall (facing Abnaki) of the building covers a foundation for a fire place that was proposed, but never constructed. Funded and built by Shingebis Lodge #490 for Albert Charette Sr., Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 14, Lawrence, MA. "Al" was an avid camper who had a severe heart condition, he past away on a Sunday morning, at an OA Ordeal.
Central Shower Facility -
Lawrence, Andover, North Andover Cabins - built with funds from George Magee Fund for the senior staff.
Methuen Cabin - built with funds from Durwood Farnsworth, Camping Chairman. Currently a senior staff cabin.
Lower Shower Facility - built with funds from George Magee Fund.

1970
Aquatics Tower - an addition the rear of the building added space for storage and equipment during and after the season, funded by the George Magee Fund. Back room currently houses the Jr. Aquatics Staff during the camping season.

1972
Dinning Hall Renovations - during the summer of 1971 fire struck the kitchen and the kitchen was renovated to its present size.

1973
Takesian Building - originally built as a museum/camp office and staff lounge. Dedicated to Dick Takesian, Scoutmaster of Troop 15, First Calvary Baptist Church, Lawrence, MA. The constructions was funded by the Takesian family, First Calvary Church, and the Friends of Onway. Today the building is used as the camps main office and in the off season, a cozy winter cabin.

1974
Junior Staff Cabins #1,2, & 3 - constructed to house the junior staff.
Cabin #1 - funded by Friends of Onway
Cabin #2 - funded by Allen B. Roger Foundation
Cabin #3 - funded by Allen J. Ash Foundation

1984
George Russell Chapel Improvements - the A-frame structure was completed by the Greater Lawrence Council of Churches.

1986
Baseball Backstop - erected in memory of John W. Ramsden, Scoutmaster of Troop 9, Primitive Methodist Church. Funding provided by his family.

1988
Swimming Docks - floating docks were purchased through the George Magee Fund.
Ingalls Amphitheatre - rededicated to "Jack" Ingalls.

1989
Maintenance Building Additions - with the help of the shared Camping Committee, North Essex and North Bay Council, additions were completed.

1990
Central Shower Facility Renovations - through funding from the George Magee Fund, extensive renovations and improvements were made to the shower house.

1991-92
Reinhold - Andirondack shelter constructed and dedicated to Reinhold (??)

1994
Dining Hall Renovations - the Friends of Onway contributed $70,000 to expand and renovate the dining hall to a first class dining facility. This project included lifting the building, in two sections, and constructing a foundation underneath, thus creating a basement. In addition, a new wing was added to the building, later dedicated to James B. Coffey. Finally, the fire place was rebuilt with the original stones by Robert Mundry. A local article in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune referenced many more volunteers.
Parking Lot - also funded by the Friends of Onway, the parking lot allowed for less traffic on Onway's roads and created a more rustic appearance during the summer program.

2005
The Trading Post was remodeled to fit more shelf space and to create a more friendly atmosphere toward the customers.

2006
A timber cut was held and as a result, a new parking lot facility was made to the right of the entrance. A sizeable clearing was cut behind the burm at the rifle range to make room for a new shotgun range.