Housatonic Council

Infobox WorldScouting
type = organization
name = Housatonic Council


caption = Council Shoulder Patch
. Use English name of organization if applicable
headquarters = Derby, Connecticut
country = United States of America
f-date = 1923
members =
chiefscouttitle = Scout executive
chiefscout =
. If the organization has more than one such person (e.g., both a Chief Scout
. and a president) it is recommended to follow the example of the WOSM entry
owner = Boy Scouts of AmericaHousatonic Council #069, headquarters located in Derby, Connecticut. Council came about from a name change of Derby Council in 1923. At its annual meeting January 25, 1923 and the council voted to organize as a first class council to have jurisdiction over Scouting in Ansonia, Shelton and Seymour in addition to Derby. The territory was extended to include Oxford at a later date.

It owns and operates Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen, Connecticut.

Paugassett Lodge, of the Order of the Arrow, serves this council.

Housatonic Council's geographic area includes the following Lower Naugatuck Valley Towns:The council serves the following communities: Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, Shelton, and Oxford

History

District

Paugassett Lodge

Paugassett Lodge, is the OA lodge for the Housatonic Council. Their name translates to “Muddy Pond” (Algonquin). Their lodge totem in an Iroquois dance mask. The lodge was founded in 1961 and it is still in existence. In 2000, the lodge was the recipient of the E. Urner Goodman Award for their effectiveness in promoting and increasing Scout camping in their council.

Camps

Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation

Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation (ESSR), formally called Housatonic Scout Reservation (HSR), is located in Goshen, Connecticut. It is the only existing camp owned by Housatonic Council. ESSR is a smaller Boy Scout Camp with only 186 acres. The Camp is the home of the Paugassett Lodge. ESSR holds Summer and Winter Camp programs. Also, the camp is often used for a Fall and Spring Camp-o-ree. During the off-season, the camp is also available for use by outside organizations and Scout Troops, Crews, and Packs. The camp is available for use by Housatonic Council "and" non-Housatonic Council units.

The summer program includes four weeks of Boy Scout Resident Camping and one week of Webelos Resident Camping. Boy Scout Resident Camp focuses on Merit Badge advancement. One week of the Boy Scout Resident Camp includes a Venturing program. The Venturing program includes a number of trips off-site for a more exciting approach to Scouting. Also, another week includes an Adventure to Eagle Program, where a unit composed of Scouts registered with the A2E program work on Eagle-Required Merit Badges and learn the steps along the Trail to Eagle. Webelos Resident Camp focuses on advancement in the form of Activity Pins.

During all four weeks of Boy Scout Resident Camp a variety of Program Areas are in operation. These Program Areas are Brownsea Island, Field Sports/Shooting Sports, Waterfront, Outdoor Skills, Ecology/Conservation, Health Lodge, and Handicrafts. The "Brownsea Island Program," formerly known as "First Class Emphasis," focuses on the fundamental skills of Scouting, such as the Patrol Method, First Aid, Hiking, Camping, Fire-Building, and Knot-Tying. The Field Sports/Shooting Sports program includes Rifle, Shotgun, Archery, and Personal Fitness. Also for troop activities, this Program area sponsors various Field Sports. As part of an Older Boy Program, the area sponsors Black-Powder Shooting and Action Archery. The Waterfront Area includes Rowing, Swimming, Lifesaving, Small-boat Sailing, Kayaking, and Canoing. Also, early in the morning, the ever popular Polar Bear Swim occurs, where a large group of "Lunatics" jumps in the water for a period of singing and fun. There are also designated Free-Swim periods, where anyone may come to the area to swim or boat. Waterfront also offers advancement opportunities with Snorkeling, BSA, Kayaking, BSA, the Mile Swim, and BSA Lifeguard. The Outdoor Skills area, formerly known as "Scoutcraft," teaches subjects including Cooking, Pioneering, Wilderness Survival, Camping, and Orienteering. Also, Backpacking, Hiking, Totin' Chip, Firm'n Chit, and the Paul Bunyan Award are taught by Appointment. Ecology/Conservation, often referred to as "Econ," teaches a large amount of merit badges including Astronomy, Bird Study, Environmental Science, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forestry, Mammal Study, Nature, Soil & Water Conservation, and Weather. Insect Study, and Reptile & Amphibian Study are offered by appointment. The Health Lodge currently offers First Aid. Handicrafts teaches Basketry, Computers, Home Repair, Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Metalwork, and Woodcarving. Art is also available by appointment.

Camp Irving

Camp Irving was located in Shelton, Connecticut in the Birchbank area along the Housatonic River. It is no longer in existence. [ [http://derbyhistorical.org/VH%20Definitions.htm This Week in History ] ]

ee also

*Scouting in Connecticut

External links

* [http://www.housatonicbsa.org/ Housatonic Council]

References