Stonewall Jackson Area Council

Infobox WorldScouting


name = Stonewall Jackson Area Council
image-size =
caption =
type =
owner =Boy Scouts of America
headquarters = Waynesboro, Virginia
location = Virginia, West Virginia
country = United States
coords =
f-date = 1926
defunct =
founder =
members =
chiefscouttitle = Scout Executive
chiefscout = Don Ellis
chiefscouttitle2 = President
chiefscout2 = Duane H. Zobrist
chiefscouttitle3 = Commissioner
chiefscout3 = Michael R. Sexton
website = http://bsa-sjac.org/The Stonewall Jackson Area Council (SJAC) is the local council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) that serves Scouts in areas of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and West Virginia and areas of central Virginia.

History

The council was organized by the Kiwanis of Clifton Forge, Virginia in 1926 as the Stonewall Jackson Council. [cite web|url=http://www.runet.edu/~jfox/kiwanis/history/clubs/cliftonforge.html|title=Capital District Kiwanis History|work=Capital District Kiwanis|accessdate=2008-06-02] The council is named after General Stonewall Jackson, one of the most famous residents of the area.

Organization

The council is part of Area 7 of the Southern Region of the BSA. The council service center is in Waynesboro, Virginia and employs seven paid professional Scouters and an office staff. SJAC is divided into four districts:

* Massanutten District: Harrisonburg; Rockingham and Pendleton counties

* Monticello District: Charlottesville; Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison and Orange counties

* Southern District: Buena Vista, Covington, Clifton Forge, Lexington; Alleghany, Bath and Rockbridge counties

* Valley District: Staunton, Waynesboro; Augusta and Highland counties

Programs and activities

Since 2006, the council has hosted the annual Venturing Shootaround in partnership with the National Rifle Association. The event is for Venturers and senior Boy Scouts and offers pistol, rifle, shotgun, black powder and archery. [cite journal |title=2nd Annual Venturing/NRA Shootaround – A Blast! |journal=Civilian Marksmanship Program Magazine |url=http://www.odcmp.org/1007/default.asp?page=VENTURING|accessdate=2008-06-01]

Camp Shenandoah

Infobox WorldScouting


image-size=70px
name = Camp Shenandoah
caption =
type =
age =
location = Swoope, Virginia
country = United States
coords =coord|38|08|03|N|79|13|39|W
f-date = 1950
defunct =
founder = J. W. Fix
members =
website = [http://www.campshenandoah.org/ Camp Shenadoah] Camp Shenandoah was first established in 1930 near McGaheysville, Virginia and moved to its present site near Swoope, Virginia in 1950. With expansions in 1999, the camp property is now convert|454|acre|km2 located on the eastern slope of Little North Mountain. The west side of the camp borders on the George Washington National Forest and north, east and south sides bordering on agricultural areas of Swoope. A hunter access road runs through the camp. Three creeks run through the camp, supplying the small man-made Hope Lake. A portion of the new property on the north side has been placed into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and is being restored from an agricultural to a natural state.

The camp is primarily used by units within the council, but is available to other Scouting units and youth groups and is used year-round.

Facilities

The camp ranger has a house just outside the camp entrance. The camp office includes the health lodge where emergency health care is provide during summer camp. The dining hall seats up to 300 people and includes the kitchen and food storage facilities, a staff lounge and restrooms for visitors. The trading post is a camp store that sells snack, souvenirs, craft materials and other items during summer camp; attached are two small multi-purpose rooms. A maintenance area includes the workshop and quartermaster storage and a shed for tractor and equipment storage. The parade field provides an area where campers can assemble for flag ceremonies and other activities. The Lockridge Chapel is open-air with benches for seating. The shower house has facilities for male and female, youth and adult campers. Water is provided from a well-fed water tower and sewage is processed on-site.

The camp has 14 tent camp sites, each with running water and a latrine and most with a small pavilion. Unimproved areas are available for outpost camping.

The Colonel Morris T. Warner, Jr. Rifle Range, the shotgun range and the archery range are located on OA Ridge; a separate black powder range can be set up as needed. The COPE area has a climbing tower and has high and low ropes courses set up during summer camp. The waterfront has a swim area, canoes and rowboats.

Summer Camp

The summer camp program provides opportunities for a range of merit badges in the areas of Scoutcraft, handicraft, aquatics, nature and shooting sports. Other programs include Project COPE, hikes to Elliott Knob and a high adventure program. Scout leaders can take supplemental training in aquatics and boating safety and in CPR. New Scouts can participate in programs designed to help work towards First Class Scout.

Shenandoah Lodge

Infobox WorldScouting


name = Shenandoah Lodge
image-size =70px
caption =
type = Lodge
age =
location =
country =
coords =
f-date =
defunct =
founder =
members =
chiefscouttitle =Lodge Chief
chiefscout =Pete Echols
chiefscouttitle2 =Lodge Adviser
chiefscout2 =Mike White
chiefscouttitle3 =
chiefscout3 =
website = http://shenandoahlodge.org/The Order of the Arrow is represented by the Shenandoah Lodge. It supports the Scouting programs of the Stonewall Jackson Area Council through leadership, camping, and service. The lodge is organized as four chapters:
* Achewon Allohak: Southern District
* Monocan: Massanutten District
* Saponi: Monticello District
* Nagatamen: Valley District

References