| Scouting in Pennsylvania | |||
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 Scouting portal | |||
Scouting in Pennsylvania has a long and rich tradition, from 1908[1]: 55 to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.
One of the earliest Scouting groups in Pennsylvania began in 1908 inPottsville, when a Superintendent with thePennsylvania State Police, Lynn G. Adams, formed a troop usingBaden-Powell's handbook,Scouting for Boys. The troop was made up of two patrols, one sponsored by the Pottsville Mission and the other by the YMCA. Adams became the first Scoutmaster in Pennsylvania in 1910 soon after the BSA was incorporated.[1]: 55 The oldest Pennsylvania Scout troop still in existence is "Troop Bala One" inBala Cynwyd, which was founded in 1908 by Frank H. Sykes.[2]
The first council in Pennsylvania was the Delaware & Montgomery County Council in 1911. This council eventually became the former Valley Forge Council, now part of the Cradle of Liberty Council.
Sixteen councils were chartered in America between 1910 and 1913. The seventeenth was theWarren County Council headquartered inWarren, Pennsylvania. This council later changed its name to Chief Cornplanter Council and is still in operation. It is currently the oldest existing, continuously registered council in America. The other preceding 16 councils either went out of business or merged with another council at some point in their history. The information for this paragraph was provided by the Registration Department of the National Office of the BSA, Irving, Texas, in October 2007.[3][4][5]
Also in 1913, the Philadelphia Council opened the first American scout camp,Treasure Island Scout Reservation, nearPoint Pleasant. Two years later, Dr.E. Urner Goodman andCarrol Edson founded theOrder of the Arrow, which inducted its first members on July 16, 1915 at Treasure Island.
In 1914, theAllegheny County Council, forerunner of today's Laurel Highlands Council, was chartered. Also in 1914, thePhiladelphia Council was chartered.
In 1915 charters were first granted to the councils headquartered inErie,Wilkes-Barre, andOil City.
In 1916, councils were chartered inReading,[1]: 68 Lancaster,Harrisburg, andScranton, among others. The council in Harrisburg is now part of New Birth of Freedom Council.
In 1917Meadville,State College andBethlehem were granted charters by the National Office, along with nine other councils.
1919 saw the councils inWilliamsport,Altoona andChester County formed. Like Chief Cornplanter, the Chester County Council is still in operation, one of only a handful of small one-county councils left in America. The other one in Pennsylvania,Bucks County Council, received its first charter in 1927.
By 1920, forty-six councils had been chartered in Pennsylvania. Most of these were small councils no larger than the town they were named after. Some of these were known as "Second Class Councils".In the following years, other currently chartered councils were started: Juniata Valley in 1929; Bucktail in 1930; Columbia-Montour and Schuylkill County Area[1]: 56 in 1931; and York-Adams in 1932.
1937 saw the formation of the current Westmoreland-Fayette Council inGreensburg.
All other current councils in Pennsylvania are the result of mergers which began to occur in the 1960s through the present day.
1941 saw the creation ofCamp Ockanickon in Bucks County Council.
Among the claimants forFirst Boy Scout Troop in the United States is Troop 1 inBala Cynwyd.
Pennsylvania is home to the oldest annual Scouting event in the nation, theValley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment.
In 1928,Eagle Scout (and Erie native)Paul Siple was one of the first Scouts to travel toAntarctica withAdmiral Richard Byrd. Byrd had held a national contest to invite worthy Eagle Scouts onto the expedition. Paul Siple later went on to develop what is now known as the "Wind Chill Factor"
The 1921 and 1931 National Order of the Arrow Lodge Meetings were held at Philadelphia, the 1922 and 1927 National Lodge Meetings were held atReading, and the 1940 National Lodge Meeting was held atLigonier.
In 1924, theMcKean County Council (#499) was formed, changing its name to theMcKean-Potter Area Council (#499) in 1926. In 1936, the council changed its name to theMcKean-Potter Area Council (#499) in 1936. In 1947, the council changed its name to theElk Lick Council (#499).[a]
The1950 National Scout Jamboree was held atValley Forge. That positive experience led to National Jamborees in 1957 and 1964 as well.
Outside of the few small councils mentioned above, the history of Pennsylvania councils over the past 50 years has been one of mergers.[a]
Beginning in 1962, the Mid-Valley Council, headquartered inPeckville, merged with the formerDan Beard Council in Scranton to form the Forest Lakes Council. Meanwhile, in 1970, the formerAnthracite Council (Hazleton) merged with the formerWyoming Valley Council (Wilkes-Barre) to form the Penn Mountains Council. In 1984, the area comprising the former Anthracite Council removed itself from the Penn Mountains Council and joined neighboring Minsi Trails Council. Forest Lakes Council and Penn Mountains Council merged in 1990 to form the current Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, inMoosic.
In 1967, the formerNemacolin Trails Council inWashington, Pennsylvania, merged with the Allegheny Council inPittsburgh to become the Allegheny Trails Council. This council merged again in 1993 with East Valley Council to become the Greater Pittsburgh Council.
In 1969, the Lehigh County Council (Allentown), Bethlehem Area Council and Delaware Valley Area Council (Easton) merged to form the current Minsi Trails Council in Allentown.
In 1970, the formerAppalachian Trail Council andDaniel Boone Council merged to form the current Hawk Mountain Council in Reading.[1]: 85 1970 also saw the merger of the Blair-Bedford Area Council (Altoona),William Penn Council (Indiana) andAdmiral Robert E. Peary Council (Johnstown) into the Penns Woods Council inEbensburg.
In 1971, theLancaster County andLebanon County councils merged to form the Lancaster-Lebanon Council. This council changed its name in 1995 to thePennsylvania Dutch Council and is headquartered in Lancaster.
In 1972, the Washington Trail Council (Erie), Colonel Drake Council (Oil City) andCustaloga Council (Sharon) merged to form the currentFrench Creek Council, headquartered in Erie.
1973 saw the merger of the formerLawrence County Council (New Castle) with the former Pioneer Trails Council (Butler), forming the current Moraine Trails Council, host to two National Jamborees (see below).
Also in 1973, the former Elk Lick Council, inBradford, merged into the Allegheny Highlands Council headquartered inFalconer, New York.
In 1974, the formerWest Branch Council (Williamsport) andSusquehanna Valley Area Council (Sunbury) merged to form the current Susquehanna Council in Williamsport.
In 1973, theAllegheny Highlands Council (#382) was formed from a merger of the Seneca Council (#750) and the Elk Lick Council (#499).[a]
Other notable happenings in Pennsylvania Scouting at this time include:
The1950,1957, and1964 National Scout Jamborees were held atValley Forge.
Half of the1973 National Scout Jamboree ("Jamboree East") was held atMoraine State Park inButler County, where the1977 National Scout Jamboree and Campaganza 2010 were also held.
During 1975 and 1976, Scouts in the Philadelphia area could earn a "Colonial Philadelphia"merit badge. It could only be counted towards palms, not any rank, and came in a green border and a very yellow-green border. This was the only time BSA National approved a regional merit badge for any such use.
The Bucktail Council of theBoy Scouts of America servesCameron,Clearfield,Elk,Jefferson, and the western portions ofCentre County. The Council was organized on July 24, 1930, and is headquartered inDuBois. It adopted its constitution and by-laws on April 28, 1931, thanks to the efforts of John Q. Groves of Dubois.[6] The Council unified several independent Boy Scout troops from the surrounding areas, includingBrockway,Brookville,Clearfield,DuBois,Johnsonburg,Mahaffey,Philipsburg,Reynoldsville,Ridgway, andSt. Marys, under a single leadership.
The Council's name references the13th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment, also known as “Bucktails,” a volunteer infantry regiment that served in theArmy of the Potomac during theAmerican Civil War.[7] When the regiment was first forming, one recruit —many of whom were woodsmen and lumbermen— decorated his hat with the tail of awhite-tailed deer he had found in a butcher shop. Other men adopted the decoration, and the regiment came to be known as the “Bucktails.”[8]
On July 23, 2025, the leadership of Bucktail Council held a public meeting titled “The Future of Bucktail Council” at Camp Mountain Run, to address the Council’s financial status and long-term viability, including the future of Camp Mountain Run. During the meeting, Council leadership cited declining participation, outstanding debts, recent staff turnover, and a conditionally approved charter from theScouting America National Council. As a result, Council leadership announced the serious consideration of a merger with theLaurel Highlands Council, based inPittsburgh, as well as the sale of the nearly 100-year-old Camp Mountain Run. However, no final decision has been made.[9]
| Bucktail Council #509 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | DuBois | ||
| Location | Pennsylvania, United States | ||
| Founded | 1931 | ||
| Scout Executive | Vacant | ||
| President | Ryan P. Sayers, Esq. | ||
| Commissioner | Jim Davis | ||
| Camping Committee Chair | Scott Creighton | ||
| OA Lodge Advisor | Andrew Klark | ||
| Website bucktail.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
The Bucktail Council has a single district: PA Eastern Wilds. The district covers the following school districts:Cameron County,St. Mary’s,Bald Eagle,Clearfield,Curwensville,Moshannon Valley,West Branch,Philipsburg-Osceola,Johnsonburg,Ridgway,Brockway,DuBois,Brookville,Clarion-Limestone, andPunxsutawney.[10]
In 1931, the Council used Camp Coffman, then part of the Oil City Scout Council (now part ofFrench Creek Council), for its first summer camp program. On May 1, 1932, the Bucktail Council Camp Committee reported that it had inspected two potential sites for a permanent Council camp: one nearEast Branch Clarion River in Elk County, and another near a beaver dam along Mountain Run Stream inPenfield, Clearfield County. The Council approved the leasing of the Mountain Run site, which would be developed into the 380+ acre Camp Mountain Run Scout Camp.[6]
The land was initially leased from the Kersey Mining Company and theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 1939, theShawmut Mining Company, which had acquired Kersey's portion, sold its tract to the Council for one dollar. In 1962, through the efforts of J. Hall Stackpole (Seventh President, 1957–1960), his company, theStackpole Carbon Company, arranged a land trade of 614 acres for the 307 acres still owned by the Commonwealth, which he then deeded to the Council.[8]
The Stackpole Carbon Company’s generosity continued with the construction and funding of the original swimming pool in 1935, and additional funding in 1960 for the renovation of the pool's filtration system. In 1970, theStackpole-Hall Foundation provided a substantial donation for the expansion and renovation of the Camp’s dining hall.[8]
In the spring of 1937, leaders of Bucktail Council sought to recognize those Scouts and Scouters who were “Honor Campers,” those who best exemplified the ideals of theScout Oath andLaw, creating a Camp Honor Society for this purpose. In January 1938, the Council’s Executive Board voted to apply for a charter from theOrder of the Arrow (OA).
This initiative, led by John H. Keller (Second Council Executive, 1937–1942), established the lodge’s charter membership from members of the original Honor Camper Society. On June 1, 1938, a ceremonial team fromCamp Twin Echo visited Camp Mountain Run to induct the first members into the Council's OA Lodge.
The first official meeting of the Council's OA Lodge was held July 27, 1938. The name “Ah’Tic,” meaning “Standing Elk,” in theChippewa language, was chosen in reference to the large elk population in the nearby area.[8]
| Chester County Council (#539) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Location | West Chester | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| President | Steve Carroll | ||
| Council Commissioner | Gus Sauerzopf | ||
| Scout Executive | Jacob Segal | ||
| Website http://www.cccbsa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
TheChester County Council is aBoy Scouts of America service council that serves members of the Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing programs inChester County, Pennsylvania and NortheasternCecil County, Maryland.[citation needed]
Horseshoe Scout Reservation
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| Chief Cornplanter Council #538 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Warren | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Scout Executive | Raymond Tennent | ||
| Website cornplanterbsa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Known as "America's Oldest Council," CCC is the oldest existing, continuously registered council in the United States.[citation needed] In 1910, members of the community ofWarren first explored Scouting activities. In 1913, the Boy Scouts of America gave a charter to an organization known as theWarren County Council. Then in 1954 the council's official name was changed to ChiefCornplanter Council to honor the famousSeneca-Iroquois war chief and diplomat. In 2013, the council celebrated its 100th anniversary as the longest-tenured, unmerged Boy Scout Council in America.[11]
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| Columbia-Montour Council #504 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Bloomsburg | ||
| President | Barry Lewis | ||
| Commissioner | Rose Rhoads | ||
| Scout Executive | Paul Knox | ||
| Website columbiamontourbsa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Columbia-Mountour Council is headquartered in Bloomsburg. It serves Columbia and Montour counties. The council operates Camp Lavigne with an office at 35 Camp Lavigne Road,Benton. During the summer season Camp Lavigne conducts a Boy Scout summer camp program, Cub Scout and Webelos Scout resident program, as well as a Cub Day Camp program. During the non-summer season, Camp Lavigne hosts a Klondike Derby, Cub Winter Fun Day, Orienteering Competition, Cub Skill Weekend, and Haunted Harvest Fest. The council's Order of the Arrow lodge is Wyona Lodge #18.
| Cradle of Liberty Council #525 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Philadelphia | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Coordinates | 39°57′32″N75°10′32″W / 39.959°N 75.17552°W /39.959; -75.17552 | ||
| Founded | 1996 | ||
| President | T. Roderick Henkels | ||
| Council Commissioner | Stephen Perrone | ||
| Scout Executive | Thomas Harrington | ||
| Website http://www.colbsa.org/ | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
TheCradle of Liberty Council (#525) is aBoy Scouts of America council created in 1996 with the merger of the former Philadelphia Council (covering the city and county ofPhiladelphia) and the former Valley Forge Council (coveringDelaware andMontgomery counties).
| French Creek Council (#532) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Erie | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1972 | ||
| President | Patty Meehan | ||
| Scout Executive | Steven E. Dunn | ||
| Website Frenchcreek-BSA.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
TheFrench Creek Council serves scouts in six counties in northwesternPennsylvania andBrookfield Township in Ohio. The council was organized in 1972 from a merger of the former Washington Trail Council ofErie, Custaloga Council ofSharon, and Colonel Drake Council ofOil City. Its headquarters is located in Erie, PA. The council is divided into two districts: Lakes and Rivers, to effectively execute operations across Northwest Pennsylvania.
| Hawk Mountain Council #528 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Reading | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1970 | ||
| President | Joseph Hartz | ||
| Scout Executive | Davis Fox | ||
| Website hmc-bsa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
TheHawk Mountain Council servesBerks,Schuylkill, andCarbon counties inPennsylvania. The council has headquarters nearReading, PA. The Council was formed in 1970 with the merger of the Appalachian Trail and Daniel Boone councils.[12]
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion with: examples and additional citations. You can help byadding to it.(March 2013) |
| Juniata Valley Council CSP (#497) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Reedsville | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Scout Executive | Jeffery Pickett | ||
| Website jvcbsa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre & Juniata Counties
| This sectionneeds expansion with: examples and additional citations. You can help byadding to it.(March 2013) |
| Laurel Highlands Council | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | July 1, 2011 | ||
| Website https://www.lhcscouting.org/ | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Laurel Highlands Council serves youth in Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, and Washington counties in Pennsylvania; Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, and Mineral counties in West Virginia; and Allegany and Garrett counties of Maryland.Laurel Highlands Council was formed when the Greater Pittsburgh and Penn's Woods Councils merged in 2011. Potomac Council was then added in 2014.
| Minsi Trails Council #502 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Allentown | ||
| Founded | 1969 | ||
| President | Dave Zinkler | ||
| Commissioner | Lew Dryfoos | ||
| Scout Executive | Rick Christ | ||
| Website minsitrails.com | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Minsi Trails Council serves Scouts of easternPennsylvania'sLehigh Valley andPocono regions as well as parts of westernNew Jersey. The council serves six counties:Lehigh,Northampton,Monroe,Carbon,Luzerne, andWarren.
The council was formed in 1969, after the merger of the Bethlehem Area, Delaware Valley Area, and Lehigh councils. The council consists of six districts and maintains two camping properties: Camp Minsi inPocono Summit, and Trexler Scout Reservation inJonas.
On January 1, 2021 Minsi Trails Council realigned its districts by counties to form Carbon-Luzerne District, Lehigh District, Monroe District, Northampton District, and Warren District.
| Moraine Trails Council #500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Butler | ||
| Location | Lawrence, Butler, Armstrong, and NW Westmoreland counties; Pennsylvania | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Scout Executive | Ray Tennent | ||
| Website morainetrails.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
| New Birth of Freedom Council #544 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Mechanicsburg | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | April 1, 2010 | ||
| Scout Executive | Ron Gardner | ||
| Website newbirthoffreedom.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
The New Birth of Freedom Council serves south-central Pennsylvania. The council was formed by a merger of the York-Adams Area Council and Keystone Area Council on April 1, 2010.
| Northeastern Pennsylvania Council #501 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Moosic | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1990 | ||
| President | Marianne Gilmartin | ||
| Commissioner | Rick Stritzinger | ||
| Scout Executive | Mark Barbernitz | ||
| Website nepabsa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, with headquarters inMoosic, formed in 1990 from the merger of the Forest Lakes and Penn Mountains councils. The council serves units in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Its Order of the Arrow lodge is Lowwapaneu Lodge #191. It has two districts: Two Mountains and Dan Beard. The council operates two camps: Goose Pond Scout Reservation and Camp Acahela. Since its founding the council has conducted a biennial Traveling Camporee that takes Scouts to camp at locations that rotate among Williamsburg, Virginia, Baltimore Maryland, Boston, Massachusetts, Niagara Falls, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[citation needed]
Camps
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| Pennsylvania Dutch Council #524 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Lancaster | ||
| Founded | 1971 | ||
| Scout Executive | Matthew Klutzaritz | ||
| Website padutchbsa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Pennsylvania Dutch Council is in south-centralPennsylvania servingLebanon andLancaster counties. The council has two districts: Iron Forge and Susquehanna.
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| Susquehanna Council #533 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Williamsport | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| President | Robert Dluge[15] | ||
| Council Commissioner | R. "Butch" McCusker[15] | ||
| Scout Executive | Dennis Dugan[16] | ||
| Website susquehannabsa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
| Washington Crossing Council(#777) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Doylestown | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| President | William Pfundt | ||
| Scout Executive | Magne Gundersen | ||
| Website wccscounting.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
TheWashington Crossing Council (formerly Bucks County Council)mservesBucks County, Pennsylvania,Hunterdon County, NJ, andMercer County, NJ.
The Westmoreland Fayette Council was formed in 1937. The council is made up of three districts, Old Trails District based primarily out of Fayette County, Bushy Run District based primarily in Westmoreland County along with Laurel Hills District also based primarily in Westmoreland County. Throughout the time in which the council has been serving there have been 6 different districts. These districts were Braddock Trails, Bushy Run, Chestnut Ridge, Forbes, Laurel Hills, and Old Trails Districts.
| Westmoreland-Fayette Council #512 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Headquarters | Greensburg | ||
| Scout Executive | Marcus Ragland | ||
| Website wfbsa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
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| Girl Scouting in Pennsylvania | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Map of Girl Scout Councils in Pennsylvania | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania was formed on May 1, 2007 through the merger of Hemlock (Harrisburg), Penn Laurel (York), Penn's Woods (Wilkes-Barre), and Scranton-Pocono (Scranton) Girl Scout councils.[18][19]
| Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | GSUSA | ||
| Headquarters | Camp Hill[20] | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| President and CEO | Janet Donovan[21][22] | ||
| Website www.gshpa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Past Camps:
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania was created by a merger on April 28, 2007 between the Girl Scouts of Freedom Valley, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Great Valley Councils. The merger became effective on May 1. Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania serves Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Philadelphia counties.[28] The current CEO is Kim E. Fraites-Dow.[29]
| Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | GSUSA | ||
| Headquarters | Miquon[30] | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | Kim E. Fraites-Dow | ||
| Website gsep.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
During the summer, Eastern Pennsylvania camps are open for all registered Girl Scouts. The camp is operated by paid staff who work for the council. Campers sign up for a program session of their choice, which can be as short as two nights and as long as four weeks. Each program has its own themed activities. Campers are also asked at the start of the week what they would like to do (this is called Girl Planning,) and the activities they choose are worked into their schedule."Program Registration Information"(PDF).GSEP Summer Camp Guide. No. 2025. Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. December 4, 2024. p. 70. RetrievedSeptember 18, 2025.
In the summer of 2025, camps Wood Haven and Mountain House adopted a "classic camp" model. This eliminated the themed programs for the two camps, and instead had campers sign up for themeless week-long sessions with more girl planning time."Classic Camp"(PDF).GSEP Summer Camp Guide. No. 2025. Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. December 4, 2024. p. 14. RetrievedSeptember 18, 2025.
During the school year, the camps are open for anybody to rent. Troops are allowed to rent out the sites for their own events, and entire service units can rent out the sites for "Camporees." People outside of Girl Scouts are also allowed to rent the sites for events likeweddings,field trips, andschool dances. Girl Scouts are generally supervised byvolunteers during off-season camping, but paid staff may be present to facilitate activities likeswimming andropes courses. The council also holds events at the camps throughout the year."Program Registration Information"(PDF).GSEP Summer Camp Guide. No. 2025. Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. December 4, 2024. p. 70. RetrievedSeptember 18, 2025.
According to a June 16, 2011 report, the council has decided to divest in Camp Tweedale, Camp Tohikanee, and Camp Hidden Falls.[40]Camp Hidden Falls closed in 2012, while Camp Tweedale and Camp Tohikanee closed in 2015.[41] In 2018, Hidden Falls became a part of the National Park Service's Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.[42] Camp Tweedale was sold to the Chester Water Authority in 2016.[43] Camp Tohikanee is now an independentcampsite called Tohi.[44]
Jane Seltzer is a shop and service center in Philadelphia.[34]
Luella is a mobile shop van that stops at locations around the council.[34]
The Western Pennsylvania Council was formed through the merger of five regional councils:[45] Keystone, Girl Scouts of Beaver and Lawrence Counties, Girl Scouts of Penn Lakes Council, Girl Scouts of Talus Rock Council and Girl Scouts-Trillium Council.
| Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | GSUSA | ||
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Scout Executive | Patricia A. Burkart | ||
| Website gswpa.org | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
