Joseph A Citta Scout Reservation
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The Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation At Brookville was first opened in 1957. It was originally called the Ocean County Scout Reservation, but then changed its name to the Brookville Scout Reservation. It is currently known as the Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation. The camp is located in the Brookville section of Barnegat, Ocean County, New Jersey, USA, and is part of the Boy Scouts of America's Jersey Shore Council.
Recently celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the Citta scout camp is a home away from home to many troops and other scouting organizations. Citta's summer program offers a variety of activities such as COPE, First Year Camper Program (Beaver), and numerous merit badges.
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[edit] History
Nestled on the eastern edge of New Jersey’s Pinelands National Preserve, the Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation has a lot of natural beauty as well as the natural resources of the Atlantic Ocean, Barnegat Bay and many lakes, rivers, streams and cranberry bogs. What a unique setting for a Boy Scout Camp! Citta aims to offer a blend of traditional scout programs, modern conveniences, and recreational opportunities.
The Ocean County Scout Reservation opened in 1957 in the Brookville Section of Barnegat Township, NJ. Early on, the camp had limited facilities including outdoor dining, a make shift waterfront, and few buildings. The camp was renamed Brookville Scout Reservation, and thrived in the 1960's and 1970's. The Rotary Dining Hall and Lakeside Boathouse were built during this time. By the 1980's, the Citta Reception Center was added to the camp in memory of Major J. Phillip Citta, an Air Force Flight Surgeon. Additionally, the Campmaster facilities and Ranger's home were replaced during this period with the buildings that are now on-site.
In the 1990's, Brookville quickly developed in anticipation of the next century of Scouting. The Trading Post building, the Citta Training Lodge, and the C.O.P.E. course were built to make Brookville ready for the future. Additionally, the new shower house and Mohawk latrine were installed to accommodate physically challenged Scouts. The Native American Village, built by lodge Brothers reminds us of the original dwellers of this area, the Lenni-Lenape.
The Order of the Arrow dedicated its building in camp during this time in memory of Mr. George Rees, former lodge Advisor. The Rees Lodge stands as a reminder of this departed brother's unselfish cheerful service. The Order also built and maintains the Memorial Grove, located near Algonquin Campsite, in memory of all departed scouts and scouters of the council. Citta Scout Camp is a very good campsite, heck, it's the best one out there.
In 1992, the Brookville Scout Reservation was renamed the Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation at Brookville in honor of the Council's Advisory Board Chair and generous benefactor.
The year 1996 marked many firsts at this facility. On August 17th, the camp staff alumni held its first reunion. The event was a gathering of staff alumni and their families from the five decades of the camp's existence. In addition, the new rifle range opened to make room for the shotgun range.
Section Conclaves have been held at our council's camp in 1982, 1992, 1996 and 2001.
Major developments were completed in 2001. The waterfront dock, the rifle range and the C.O.P.E. course were all rebuilt and upgraded to offer better services to the yearly campers. One of the most significant improvements in camp was the completion of the Albert A. Bisch Rotary Center. The dining hall has new cooking equipment, handicap access and a larger eating area to accommodate more campers.
And lastly, most of the facilities at our camp were dedicated or re-dedicated in 2001 as listed: J. Phillip Citta Center, Joseph A. Citta Training Lodge, Albert A. Bisch Rotary Center/Miroslav Kokes Training Center, Rees O/A Lodge, Edward P. Rohan Swimming Area, Commerce Bank Boating Area, Matt Lutton C.O.P.E., Harold Thomas Walsh Chapel, Gilbert John Suarez Memorial Grove, Eric Klein Rifle Range, Mildred McKowen Galantis Campership Plaque (off parking lot).
The Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation is located at 39 degrees 46'39.33 North by 74 degrees 18'37.83 West.
[edit] Summer Camp Program Areas
As mentioned earlier, The Citta Scout Reservation offers a large variety of programs for a wide spectrum of ages.
[edit] Aquatics
Also known as The Waterfront, this area offers the Swimming, Personal Fitness and Lifesaving merit badges in addition to other boating merit badges such as Canoeing, Rowing, and Small Boat Sailing. Scouts can also receive BSA Guard Certification and participate in the Mile Swim. Troops can also enjoy swims on there free time or siesta.
[edit] Ecology
Here scouts learn about nature and the environment. Scouts will learn about the Earths ecosystem, their effect on it and how it affects them. Numerous merit badges are available to earn such as Environmental Science, Astronomy, Nature, Weather, Geology, Forestry, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Soil and Water Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Management, Mammal Studies, Reptile and Amphibian Studies, and Archeology. Recently Chemistry, veterinary medicine, Insect Study, Bird Study and a few other select badges have been added to the program schedule.
[edit] Scoutcraft
This area is focused on teaching oudoors skills such as camping, knot tying, hiking, cooking, wilderness survival, and leave no trace. The Camping, Pioneering, Cooking, Backpacking, Hiking, Orienteering, and Wilderness Survival merit badges are taught at Scoutcraft. Totin' Chip and the Paul Bunyan Woodsman award can also be earned by scouts at this area.
[edit] The Range
Learning to shoot a rifle, a shotgun or a bow and arrow is possible at the Range. Using strict safety rules and precise directions, scouts are instructed how to fire a weapon, an activity that few very teens outside scouting can experience. The merit badges taught at the Range are Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting, and Archery. Troops can also set up troop shoots, so every kid can have a chance to shoot a rifle.
[edit] Handicraft
Handicraft area offers many arts and crafts merit badges and fun activities. The Merit Badges offered are Leatherwork, Basketry, Woodcarving, and Art.
[edit] First Aid
During the summer, camp has a full time Health Officer and other staff members who serve as assistant health officers. This area offers merit badges including First Aid, Emergency Preparedness and Medicine.
[edit] The Beaver Program
The Brookville Beaver program is for first year campers. This program allows Scouts the opportunity to work on many rank requirements up to First Class. It also allows them to meet other Scouts from the same age group. The beaver program covers Basketry and Leatherwork Merit Badges and allows Scouts time to earn additional Merit Badges.
[edit] Eagles Nest
Offers many challenging merit badges for aspiring Eagle Scouts. Badges offered include: all Citizenship badges, Communications and Public Speaking.
[edit] C.O.P.E.
C.O.P.E. is an acronym for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. This program, which is based on developing teamwork, communication, and problem solving, allows scouts to form experiences outside troop activities. Together, groups of scouts must maneuver their way through various obstacles, strengthening the teamwork and trust between themselves. During the end of the week, scouts use their new found trust to climb Citta's rock wall. C.O.P.E. also offers the Climbing merit badge to scouts.
[edit] Treks
Over the past decade, Citta Scout Reservation has been trying to improve their trek program. Usual treks include surfing, biking, and kayaking within the area. The 2008 trek program is expected to be expanded considerably. Week long treks are currently being planned. Trek programs traditionally are designed to provide levels of character building most commonly found on high adventure bases while keeping the price reasonable and the experience close to the troop.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- A Japeechen site on the reservation
- Joseph A Citta Scout Reservation is at coordinates Coordinates:
- The Official Jersey Shore Council, BSA Website
[edit] References
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