Musser Scout Reservation

Camp Hart Bridge traversing Unami Creek

Musser Scout Reservation is a Boy Scout camp located along the Unami Creek on over 1,400 acres (6 km²) of Marlborough Township, Pennsylvania. The Reservation is made up of three distinct camps: Camp Delmont, Camp Hart, and Camp Garrison. The reservation is part of the largest contiguous forest in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The camp is owned by the Cradle of Liberty Council.

History

Prior to 1996 the Philadelphia Council owned and operated Camp Hart, while the Valley Forge Council owned and operated Camp Delmont. Subsequent to the merger of these councils in 1996, these adjacent camps joined to create a new reservation.

Initially, this merged Scout camp was called "Delmont-Hart Scout Reservation". Later, the camps were renamed under "Musser Scout Reservation", to honor long-time Scouting supporter Warren V. "Pete" Musser.

The Cradle of Liberty Council, Natural Lands Trust, Montgomery County Lands Trust and Montgomery County signed a conservation easement permanently protecting over 1,200 acres (5 km²) of the Musser Scout Reservation. The easement is a perpetual, legally binding agreement to remove certain rights from the property owner.^[1]

Camps

Camp Delmont

Camp Delmont was named after the two counties that made up the original Delmont Council (DELaware and MONTgomery Counties Council, later known as The Valley Forge Council). At one point^[when?] the camp was known as Camp Cedar. Summer Camp was first held there in 1916.^[2]

Camp Hart

Hart Scout Reservation was first opened in 1930, and has been in continuous operation since the first summer of operation. The property was provided in an endowment by Dr. Charles D. Hart, and he is honored in the titling of the Camp.

There are two distinct areas of Camp Hart divided by the Unami Creek. The western portion of the camp currently hosts Cradle of Liberty Council Leader training programs, and acts of the focal site of the council Cub World summer resident camp for Cub Scouts and Webelos.

Camp Garrison

Camp Garrison was named after Walter R. Garrison, a major contributor to the building of Camp Garrison.^[3] The camp opened in 2000 and operates the Cub World summer program entirely devoted to the Cub Scouting program. There are four themed encampments: Fort Akela, Safeguard Castle, U.S.S. Cradle of Liberty, and the Native American Village.^[4]

See also

Scouting portal

• Scouting in Pennsylvania

External links

• Musser Scout Reservation on ScoutWiki
• Cradle of Liberty Website
• Montgomery County Lands Trust & Musser Scout Reservation
• http://scoutcamp.org/oldestcamps.asp By David L. Eby

40°22′00″N 75°25′54″W / 40.3666°N 75.4317°W / 40.3666; -75.4317

References

1. ^ Groups Complete Largest Conservation Project in Montgomery County History
2. ^ http://scoutcamp.org/oldestcamps.asp
3. ^ RSD - Hall of Fame
4. ^ Cradle of Liberty Council - Camp Garrison (Cub World)