| Scouting in Montana | |||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Scouts hiking inBob Marshall Wilderness | |||
 Scouts at the Upper Missouri River Breaks | |||
 Scouting portal | |||
Scouting in Montana 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.
The first,Boy Scout troop inMontana was organized inButte in September of 1910 by Elizabeth Groenveld.[1] In February 1917Troop 1 in Butte held an event for the public which included music, as well as "exhibition drills, first aid work, and signalling, closing with the presentation of a play."[2] Also in 1917, this same troop made the news because their activities inspired the creation of a new troop in nearby Centerville, "Twenty-two boys made the trip [a hike from Butte toDivide and back], which was filled with tests for the boys... En route one of the boys suffered from a strained back. A litter was built for him and he was carried to the destination. This was a test in first-aid work... Another hike will be held when the weather permits. The boys were forced to trudge through deep snow on their Washington birthday trip."[3]
By 1918, unofficialWolf Cub packs appeared in Butte.[citation needed]
In 1920, theDeer Lodge County Council (#314) was formed, changing its name in 1924 to theDeer Lodge Area Council (#314). In 1926 the Deer Lodge Area Council changed its name to theDeer Lodge, Granite, and Powell Council (#314). In 1928, the Deer Lodge, Granite, and Powell Council merged into theSilver Bow Council (#313). In 1919, theHelena Council (#316) was formed, changing its name in 1925 to theLewis and Clark Area Council (#316) and, changing its name again in 1931 to theElkhorn Area Council (#316). The Elkhorn Area Council closed that same year. In 1922, theHelena Council (#317) was formed, changing its name in 1923 to theGlacier Park Area Council (#317). The Glacier Park Area Council closed in 1927. In 1920, thePark County Council (#319) was formed, changing its name in 1923 to thePark and Sweetgrass Counties Council (#319) and, changing its name again in 1924 to theYellowstone Council (#319). The Yellowstone Council closed in 1926. In 1920, theCuster County Council (#321) was formed, changing its name in 1924 to thePowder River Area Council (#321) and, closing in 1926.[4]
In 1918, theButte City Council (#313) was formed, changing its name in 1927 to theSilver Bow Council (#313). In 1944, Silver Bow changed its name to theVigilante Council (#313). In 1915, theGreat Falls Council (#315) was formed, changing its name in 1925 to theGreat Falls Area Council (#315). In 1929, the Great Falls Area Council changed its name to theNorth Central Montana Council (#315). In 1922, theLewiston Council (#318) was formed, changing its name in 1922 to theCentral Montana Council (#318). The Central Montana Council closed in 1924. In 1928, theYellowstone Valley Council (#318) was formed. In 1920, theMissoula Council (#320) was formed, changing its name in 1922 to theMissoula County Council (#320). In 1926 the Missoula County Council changed its name to theWestern Montana Council (#320).[4]
In 1973, the Vigilante Area, Western Montana, Yellowstone Valley and North Central Montana councils all merged to make the Montana Council (#315).[4]
There are two Boy Scouts of America (BSA) local councils in Montana. Most of Montana lies within the Montana Council, except forDaniels andSheridan counties, which are part of the Northern Lights Council.
| Montana Council (#315) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Great Falls, Montana | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1973 | ||
| President | Walt McIntosh | ||
| Council Commissioner | Scott Hooper | ||
| Scout Executive | Jory Dellinger | ||
| Website Montana Council | |||
The Montana Council formed in 1973 from the merger of four councils: the Vigilante Area Council, Western Montana Council, Yellowstone Valley Council and the North Central Montana Council.[5]
The largest of its council camps isK-M Scout Ranch (pronounced K bar M), located 23 miles (37 km) north ofLewistown near the old mining town ofKendall.[6]
As of 2006,Northern Lights Council serves all ofNorth Dakota, and parts ofSouth Dakota, northwestMinnesota and northeast Montana.
| Girl Scouting in Montana | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Map of Girl Scout Council in Montana | |||
| Scouting portal | |||
Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming is the only council serving both Montana and Wyoming. It was formed on May 1, 2008, by the merger of Girl Scouts of Big Sky Council, Girl Scouts Treasure Trails Council, and Girl Scout Council of Wyoming.
