Minsi Trails Council
Encyclopedia
Camp Minsi is a located on the shores of the 314 acres (1 km²) Stillwater Lake in Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania. The camp was formerly owned by Bethlehem Area Council prior to the establishment of Minsi Trails Council. The camp was donated to the Boy Scouts in 1949 by Samuel Rubel
. Camp Minsi encompasses 1200 acres (5 km²) of relatively flat woodlands, holds over 20 miles (32.2 km) of hiking trails and varied wildlife. The camp is owned by the Minsi Trails Council, and was formerly a part of the Bethlehem Area Council prior to council merging and reorganizing. The camp was first opened 1949. Camp Minsi encompasses 1200 acres (5 km²) of relatively flat woodlands, holds over 20 miles (30 km) of hiking trails and varied wildlife.
A central feature of the camp is the 315 acre (1.3 km²) Stillwater Lake. Stillwater Lake provides sailing, fishing and other aquatic activities to the hundreds of Scouts and Scouters who attend weekly throughout the summer season.
Camp Minsi has over 20 buildings, 10 established troop sites, 10 primitive outpost sites, four fresh-water springs, miles of trails and several historical and natural points of interest.
Muck Hike
One of Minsi’s most proud traditions - the Muck Hike is run every Wednesday afternoon throughout the summer. The special E-CON hike, takes Scouts through the muddy swamps on the border of camp. This afternoon activity draws a large crowd, each week over 41% of the camp will participate in the event.
Frigid Froggy
A Camp Minsi tradition of a pre-breakfast swims is run each morning at 6:30am throughout the summer camp program. Scouts who attend all week earn the Frigid Froggy award and specialty patch. Troops with perfect attendance all week also win a special award.
The Indiana Jones award
Along with merit badges, this program is for those Scouts that wan additional challenges at camp. The Ecology Conservation Area offers this award. The award originated in the 1990s and still continues as a strong part of the camp's unique program. By attending a series of challenging and inventive hikes, scouts will introduce the scout to the variety of ecological features that Camp Minsi has to offer. A special award patch is presented at the end of camp to those who complete the award requirements.
Scout Leader merit badge
A program for leaders at Minsi, the Scout Leader Merit Badge program gives advance requirements to encourage Scoutmasters to participate in program, get involved, and receive a special patch. The program has multiple-levels for returning Scoutmasters to earn. Currently the highest level is the seventh year Scout Leader Merit Badge.
Iorn Chef cook-off;
The Iorn Chef cook-off has become a long tradition each Thursday during the summer camp season. Rather than the regular dining hall dinner, Troops must cook their own meal in their sites and present their dish to be judged by the staff. Winners are announced at the end of the week and given a special award.
Trail to Adventure;
The Trail to Adventure Program (TTA) is the first year camper program at Camp Minsi. The program provides a structured week by which your boys can optimize their camping experience. Requirements from Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class are covered in the program. The program also includes an overnight outpost for all participants. Totin’ Chip and Fireman Chit are also available to be earned by participation in the program.
The Ultimate Scouting Adventure'
The Ultimate Scouting Adventure, previously the Hiker's of Minsi, is a program for youth that have attended camp for two or more years that involves outpost camping and hiking, as well as, opportunities to earn several merit badges. The program runs Monday through Friday during the summer camp season. Meals are provided and prepared at the Sub Stations by the Scouts. The program incorporates hiking, scouting activities, outdoor survival skills, and Merit Badges. Activities include a canoe trek across Lake Stillwater; exploring the ice house ruins; building a monkey bridge across creek; using two-man saws, axes and other woodstools; tomahawk throwing and field archery; a compass orienteering course; a GPS navigation course; swamp hiking; boating; and snorkeling.
in January of each year. Activities of the 4-day camp include: ice fishing, ice skating, ice hockey, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, rifle and shotgun shooting, a live demonstration of ice rescue, winter camping survival skills, use of GPS system, a hike over frozen Lake Stillwater, 3 Arctic Patrol Competitions and snow tubing at Camelback Ski Area
.
Merit badges were introduced to Winter Camp's program in 2006. Scouts have a chance to work on Ice-Skating, Snow Sports, Wilderness Survival, First Aid, Cooking, Astronomy, Camping, Rifle, Shotgun and Orienteering. The camp utilizes the activities field and state-of-the-art winter tents. The tents used are large, wall tents that sleep up to 8 Scouts; and are heated by wood stoves. Each tent is erected on a wooden platform and is furnished with bunk beds. Camp Minsi's winter camp sees more than 50 participants each year.
day camp for boys from Monroe
and Pike counties
. Camp Minsi hosted the NE-4A Order of the Arrow conclaves in 1996 and 2004.
Additionally, the camp has been used for many regional, council and district level camporees, trainings, services, Klondike derbies
, trade-orees, fellowship events, service events, meetings and other activities. The Scouts of the BSA's Northeast Region held their post-Jamboree events at Camp Minsi in September 2007 where they reflected on and shared their experiences from the 21st World Scout Jamboree
.
Outside of Scouting, the International Game Fish Association held their 2006 junior angler tournament at Camp Minsi.
Years ago the Native American
s called the land of Camp Minsi home. The area which is now Lake Stillwater was an impenetrable, dense swamp. The forest was full of large trees. Stories tell of tree trunks so large that six men could not wrap their arms around them, and the Natives of the area told tales of the forests being so dense with trees that a squirrel
could go from the Atlantic Ocean
to the Mississippi River
without having to touch the ground.
The Lenape
(or Lenni-Lenape) were inhabitants of the land in the 17th century. The Lenape were a mobile hunter-gatherer society in the region around the Delaware River
and the lower Hudson River
, and were native to the area of current Camp Minsi. The Lenape were organized in phratries, which were groups of two or more small clans, identified by an animal sign. Three Lenape phratries emerge in the early historical records: the Unami, the Ungalachtigo, and the Minsi. The camp's name, Minsi, derives from the Lenape Minsis. The Minsi phratry has also been referred to as Munsi, Munsee, Monsi, and Muncey. The symbol of the Unami (the turtle) has been adopted as the symbol of Camp Minsi.
During the height of the American Revolutionary War
(July 3, 1778 to be exact), over three hundred American patriots were killed in an Iroquois
raid on Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley
(the area around Scranton
and Wilkes-Barre
). The Americans called it an "unwarranted massacre". The event incensed General Washington
. He feared for the safety of settlers living along the Appalachian Mountains
and worried about possible future raids on his army and supplies. In order to eliminate the problem, Washington ordered Major General John Sullivan
to march with 2,000 soldiers from Easton, Pennsylvania
to the Wyoming Valley. Their orders were to wipe out all the Indian villages he encountered.
As Sullivan and his men marched north, they created a new trail. The route, known as Sullivan's Trail, would become a major road for transportation following the campaign. In fact, much of the original trail was used as the foundation for the highways, roads and trails of the area still in use today.
Sullivan's March brought Sullivan and his men into the Pocono region and into what is the current Camp Minsi.NationsTrails.com. Sullivan's Trail (Historic Trail Hike) Sullivan's Trail runs through Camp Minsi and is still used today. (The main trail that goes from the parking lot up behind the backside of the parade field; continues past the trading post, the fire circle, chapel and current Scoutcraft location; and continues down over the creek where "Second Bridge" now stands out towards Hunter's Cabin.)
Sullivan was quickly moving north when the local tribes heard of Sullivan’s plan. The Natives assembled in an attempt to thwart his efforts before he could reach the Wyoming Valley. The Native Americans of the area collected their warriors and waited patiently for Sullivan and his men in the area of the current day camp.
As Sullivan and his men continued to march on their mission, they came to a place where the heavy woods transitioned to an area of low bushes and shrubs (where, today, the camp's yellow trails rejoin the path to Hunter's Cabin – about 150 yards (137.2 m) after Second Bridge). It was an ideal place for an ambush.
When Sullivan reached this point, he and his men were attacked by the Natives. According to Sullivan, the Natives, at first, held the advantage over his surprised men. However, with their superior firepower over the bow and arrow, Sullivan's men turned the ambush into a rout of the Natives, wiping out approximately 90% of the estimated 1,000 warriors who turned up that day. Today, the area is known as "Bloody Angle" in honor of this bloody encounter and the many slaughtered Natives.
After his "victory", Sullivan did not linger. He and his men were riding hard for the Wyoming Valley area to complete their mission. Sullivan's army continued to carry out a scorched earth campaign, methodically destroying at least fifty Iroquois villages throughout Pennsylvania and New York
.
After the clash at Bloody Angle, the local tribes gathered up their wounded and moved them back to their home tribes. However, the issue over where to bury the nearly 900 dead was a more complicated matter for the Natives. Many suggested burying the dead on the battle site directly next to Sullivan's Trail. However, many local Chiefs worried passersby using the trail might desecrate the grave markers. After much debate, the Chiefs decided on a partially cleared area further back down the trail. This area, a few hundred yards off the main trail, was far enough away from the main route to ensure that those passing by would not even know they were there. The Natives relocated and buried the dead in close low and rocky graves. This area became wholly sacred to the Native Americans in the area.
The dead were relocated to the area that is now used as the shotgun range.
General Sullivan and his troops cut a road from Easton through current Camp Minsi and on to northern Pennsylvania and New York on their march north. The road, known as Sullivan's Trail (and the Wilkes-Barre and Easton Turnpike), brought a substantial amount of traffic through the area. The area of Camp Minsi remained largely undeveloped, as it was not suitable for farming. However hunters, trappers, and traders inhabited the area around the busy trail.
In the 19th century a man named Wismer lived in what is now the Northwest area of camp. An outpost site currently resides where "Wismer's Cabin" once stood, next to the appropriately named Wismer's Swamp. Dotter was another hunter/trapper of the area. The Dotter's Cabin site (located next to the aptly named Dotter's Spring and Dotter's Run) is found in the center of Minsi's back-woods. Schlicker's cabin site and other sites from the period also exist on the camp's property. Each site holds its own legends and myths surrounding the hunters who once inhabited the land.
The area's trading post was the Hunter’s Cabin, which is on the eastern boundary of the camp near Sand Spring. Hunter’s Cabin was a popular stop-off point for many locals and travelers along Sullivan's Trail. Many used the cabin on either a bi-weekly or monthly basis to sell their goods and to purchase supplies needed for the next few weeks. Many of the items sold were animal skins, pelts, and tools. A tall stone chimney and fireplace is all that remains of the trading post today.
Up until the 1870s, most of the land of the Pocono Plateau was pristine forest. The area where current Camp Minsi stands was full of large trees and dense swamp. During this time, businessmen from New York City and surrounding areas began buying up the land from local residents and clear-cutting the plateau to harvest the lumber.
In the first years of the 19th century, the vast forests of pine and hemlock were the focus of considerable interest as the market for timber increased in large cities along the Atlantic coast. The swamps around Minsi were destroyed and cut away to make room for man-made lakes designed to transport the cut timber downstream to waiting sawmills. Three very small streams and underground springs fed the newly made “Lake Stillwater”, with Tunkhannock Creek
being the major outlet for the lake. A dam was built to control the water flow and the level of the lake. Logs were sent from Lake Stillwater down Tunkhannock Creek to Lake Naomi, and then down another stream to the sawmill on Lake Pocono.
By the 1830s, lumbering was taking place on a massive scale throughout the region. By 1860, Pennsylvania, with over 28 million acres (110,000 km²) of land (much of which was densely forested) had become America's lumbering champion.
With the dwindling forests and growing markets, the businesses who had harvested all of the lumber began looking for new avenues of revenue—they turned to the ice industry. From the late 1880s until the 1930s, the ice industry of the Poconos was king. Before the 1930s and the advent of refrigeration
, food was preserved through salting, spicing, pickling, or smoking. Meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables were all subject to spoilage. These products were only sold in the local markets, since shipping them was not practical. Consumers' choices were limited because they could not store these products for any substantial time. The solution to these problems was found in the harvesting of natural ice.
Numerous ice companies sprung up in the area as ice was harvested from the shallow freshwater lakes. Soon, the Pocono Mountain Ice Company, run by Samuel Rubel and based in Hoboken
, New Jersey, became the leading ice company in the area, buying up many of the smaller ice companies. Large ice houses were built around Lake Stillwater to store the large blocks of ice. Remnants of some of those facilities can still be seen at camp today.
Pennsylvania was the nation's third largest producer of ice, following Maine and New York. Pennsylvania consumed about 1 million tons annually, cut on the state's lakes and rivers. Aside from Stillwater Lake, Pocono Mountain Ice Company harvested ice on Saylor's Lake, Trout Lake
, Lake Naomi, Pocono Lake, Mountain Spring Lake, and the Lakes at Tobyhanna
. It was reported that the Pocono Mountain Ice Company was harvesting ice for 6 cents per ton. Ice workers out on the lake were paid 30 cents an hour, while those working in the icehouse, where 300-pound ice cakes were being pushed around, were paid 35 cents an hour. The Pocono Mountain Ice Company employed over 500 men during the height of the harvest.
Beginning in the 1930s with the advent of refrigeration, the harvesting of the ice from the lakes became less and less profitable. Eventually, the ice companies folded, while still controlling large tracts of land.
Delaware Valley Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, operated Weygadt Scout Reservation in the Delaware Water Gap
on the Delaware River from 1931 until 1968. Weygadt Scout Reservation was originally home to two Scout camps — the Easton Council's Camp Weygadt on the southern part of the reservation and the Bethlehem Area Council's Camp Minsi on the northern section of the reservation. In the later part of the 1930s, the Bethlehem Council moved Camp Minsi to the Poconos, and the entire reservation in the Water Gap became Camp Weygadt.
Throughout 1920s and 1930s the summer camp for the Bethlehem Area Council moved from place to place in the Poconos. Once it was held in Tobyhanna State Park
. In 1949, Samuel Rubel and the Mountain Ice Company donated the land around Lake Stillwater to the Bethlehem Area Council for a small $10 transaction fee.
At this time the council was able to set up a permanent camp. A camp was established on the southern shore of the lake — what is now known as the Weygadt side of the lake. The old buildings of the Ice Company were used for the staff housing, dining hall, health lodge, indoor rifle range and the ranger’s lodging.
The council sought to expand its programming for summer camp and the plans were drawn up for a bigger and better Camp Minsi. In the mid-to-late 1950s the plans were realized, chiefly through the donations given to the council from Bethlehem Steel. As construction took shape in the new camp, several buildings in the original camp were torn down and the ranger took up residence in the building currently known as Weygadt Conference Center.
Construction of the current camp, along the western side of the lake, was completed in 1958. The newly expanded camp opened for the first time in the summer of 1959. In 1968 Weygadt Scout Resevation was forced to sell their property due to the impending Tocks Island Dam
project on the Delaware River; however many of the camp's resources and legacies, have been able to live on at Camp Minsi. The cannon currently in use in the parade field was originally from Camp Weygadt; and funds from the sale of the Weygadt property has funded many projects at Camp Minsi — including the expansion and dedication of the "Weygadt Trust Dining Hall" in 2007.
Camp Minsi, now part of Minsi Trails Council due to the merging of councils, continues to serve Scouts. Over the past 50-years the number of campsites has increased from the original eight sites to ten, and each site has also grown in capacity and design. Several program areas and facilities have been moved and added throughout the years. The fire circle was improved and expanded in 1980 by Post 940 and again in 2004 by the local Order of the Arrow lodge. A chapel was built in 1981; the "state of the art" central shower house was constructed in 1998; and the camp dedicated the newly built "Derrer Pavalion" in the Trail to Adventure program area in 2006. In 2007 Minsi expanded the camp's Dining Hall by an additional 80 feet (24.4 m) as well as a returned a porch to the building along with other improvements. Also in 2007, the camp dedicated newly renovated and improved "Walter F. and Joan C. Williams" Waterfront facilities.
Camp Minsi also is home of Venturing Crew
940 (formally Explorer Post
940). The crew is the staff alumni organization, and is made up of the current and former staff of the Minsi summer camp. The crew and post partake in fellowship and service events around the camp throughout the year.
The Reservation features two small lakes (Trexler Lake and Lake Minsi) which are shared by the two camps. The reservation contains 25 miles (40.2 km) of hiking trails. The reservation is also home to the largest Project COPE
course in the Northeast Region of the Boy Scouts of America. Trexler is also offered to Girl Scouts during the winter.
Today, premier attributes of this 900 acres (3.6 km²) Scout Reservation include: Separate Boy Scout and Cub Scout Resident Camps, two lakes with Fishing, Boating, and Canoeing and two fully staffed waterfronts. The reservation also has over 25 miles (40.2 km) of hiking and orienteering trails to offer.
Settlers Camp is one of Minsi Trails Council's two Boy Scout camps, the other being Camp Minsi. Settlers Camp is nestled in the woods of Trexler Scout Reservation. The camp holds 17 camp sites and runs a summer program including merit badges, open swimming, ecology, shooting, climbing, arts and crafts, sports, vespers, rank advancement workshops, special adult leader programs and meal time dining programs.
A major part of the Settlers Camp program is their rocker patch panel program. Segments are earned based upon participation in different program areas and camp-wide events. The rocker program consists of 18 unique rocker segments. While they change every summer camp year most segments include scoutcraft lashings, mile swim, COPE, BSA Lifeguard, "the Handicraft Eager Beaver", Nature Conservation, rifle/shotgun, athletics, archery, and others. All scouts receive a "1 Week at Camp" rocker just for coming to camp. The rockers and patches are known to be desired items within the patch trading communities — including jamborees, Order of the Arrow
conclaves, and even eBay
.
Settlers Camp also is home of Venturing Crew
1928 (formally Explorer Post
1928). The crew is the staff alumni organization, and is made up of the current and former staff of the Settlers summer camp. The crew and post partake in fellowship and service events around the camp throughout the year. Originally, Post/Crew 1928 served the entire Trexler Scout Reservation.
Akelaland
Akelaland is a Cub Scout resident camp located with in Trexler Scout Reservation. Akelaland is the council's week-long resident Cub Scout camp, and is one of the few week-long resident Cub Scout camps in the North East Region.
Akelaland was formally "Pioneer Camp", Minsi Trails Council's rustic Scout camp which encompassed over 200 acre (0.809372 km²) of Trexler Scout Reservation. In the mid- 1980's the camp was closed and converted to a Cub Scout resident camp. The Pioneer building (a small one-room building with a wood burning stove) still stands today, as well as other parts of the original camp.
Changes over the years and the increased attendance have brought many improvements to the facility. Akelaland has an 18-hole miniature golf course. The camp includes a Health Lodge and Trading Post located in the center of camp, along with Fort James, the Dining Hall, the Parade Field and shower houses. Past the Parade Field there are Shooting Ranges, an Action Archery range, and an activities field. Renovations to the Dining Hall began in 2006, and a new dining hall, now twice the original size, stands facing the new parade field. The camp also has a lake, Lake Pioneer, which they share with Setters Camp. The Minsi Trails Council has begun a swimming pool construction project to be completed in the near future.
The camp has 18 campsites, each with site capacity ranging from 10 to 20 campers.
Akelaland is also home to Venture Crew 1629. This venturing crew is for staff members only and is mainly used for service projects to their camp. In fact, their motto is D.T.S., or dedicated to service, to show their pride for their camp.
Each summer Akelaland is runs 7 weeks of summer camp program for Cub Scout packs. The week-long resident camp program includes swimming, boating, nature, archery, BB Gun, handicraft, athletics, outdoor skills, water games, fishing, hiking, astronomy, flag ceremonies, singing, scavenger hunts and special theme related events. "Mini Weeks" are also available for Scouts running from Sunday to Wednesday each week.
Akelaland also is home of Venturing Crew
1629. The crew is the staff alumni organization, and is made up of the current and former staff of the Akelaland summer camp. The crew and post partake in fellowship and service events around the camp throughout the year.
sculpture The Ideal Scout stands outside the center.
In 1928, thirteen years after the introduction of the Order of the Arrow into scouting, Minsi Lodge #5 emerged. The Minsi Lodge served the Lehigh Council that operated Trexler Scout Reservation at the time. In 1936, the Pohopoco Lodge #44 replaced the Minsi Lodge. For thirty-three years the Pohopoco Lodge acted as a pilot lodge, helping to start new lodges in the area.
In January 1969, Pohopoco merged with two other lodges forming the first tri-merger in the history of the Order of the Arrow. The other lodges were the Tunkhannock Lodge #476 of the Bethlehem Area Council operating Camp Minsi, and the Ah’Pace Lodge #58 of the Delaware Valley Area Council operating Camp Weygadt. The tri-merger was named the Witauchsoman Lodge #44. The totem of the lodge is three peace pipes (symbolizing the three predecessor lodges) strong on a bow. The lodge has become a strong and vibrant force in the Minsi Trails Council. In 1980, a new chapter that formerly served the Anthracite Scouting Organization joined the brotherhood of the lodge. This was a result of the Organization becoming a new district in the Minsi Trails Council. In 1994, Witauchsoman re-established chapters. Each of the council's six scouting districts operates a chapter.
Witauchsoman Lodge has since continued its growth. The lodge has hosted four Section Conclaves. In 1978 and 1988, the lodge hosted the NE-5A Conclave at the Trexler Scout Reservation. In 1996 and 2004, they hosted the NE-4A Conclave at Camp Minsi.
In 2003, for the first time in the 34 year history of the lodge, it became a National Quality Lodge.
2010
Samuel Rubel
Samuel Rubel was an immigrant from Russia in 1904. In the 1920 U. S. Census his occupation was described as "Coal Miner & Ice Retailer." Rubel emigrated to America in 1904 from Riga, Latvia, at the age of 23...
. Camp Minsi encompasses 1200 acres (5 km²) of relatively flat woodlands, holds over 20 miles (32.2 km) of hiking trails and varied wildlife. The camp is owned by the Minsi Trails Council, and was formerly a part of the Bethlehem Area Council prior to council merging and reorganizing. The camp was first opened 1949. Camp Minsi encompasses 1200 acres (5 km²) of relatively flat woodlands, holds over 20 miles (30 km) of hiking trails and varied wildlife.
A central feature of the camp is the 315 acre (1.3 km²) Stillwater Lake. Stillwater Lake provides sailing, fishing and other aquatic activities to the hundreds of Scouts and Scouters who attend weekly throughout the summer season.
Camp Minsi has over 20 buildings, 10 established troop sites, 10 primitive outpost sites, four fresh-water springs, miles of trails and several historical and natural points of interest.
Campsites
- Site 1: Mohican
- Site 2: Tuscarora
- Site 3: Iroquois
- Site 4: Mohawk
- Site 5: Onondoga
- Site 6: Oneida
- Site 7: Cayuga
- Site 8: Seneca
- Site 9: Lenape
- Site 10: Shawnee
Summer camp program areas
- Ecology conservation (E-CON)
- Waterfront
- Scoutcraft
- Handicraft
- Ranger Crew
- Activities coordinator
- Shooting sports
- Trail to Adventure (TTA)
Special awards and programs
One of Minsi’s most proud traditions - the Muck Hike is run every Wednesday afternoon throughout the summer. The special E-CON hike, takes Scouts through the muddy swamps on the border of camp. This afternoon activity draws a large crowd, each week over 41% of the camp will participate in the event.
Frigid Froggy
A Camp Minsi tradition of a pre-breakfast swims is run each morning at 6:30am throughout the summer camp program. Scouts who attend all week earn the Frigid Froggy award and specialty patch. Troops with perfect attendance all week also win a special award.
The Indiana Jones award
Along with merit badges, this program is for those Scouts that wan additional challenges at camp. The Ecology Conservation Area offers this award. The award originated in the 1990s and still continues as a strong part of the camp's unique program. By attending a series of challenging and inventive hikes, scouts will introduce the scout to the variety of ecological features that Camp Minsi has to offer. A special award patch is presented at the end of camp to those who complete the award requirements.
Scout Leader merit badge
A program for leaders at Minsi, the Scout Leader Merit Badge program gives advance requirements to encourage Scoutmasters to participate in program, get involved, and receive a special patch. The program has multiple-levels for returning Scoutmasters to earn. Currently the highest level is the seventh year Scout Leader Merit Badge.
Iorn Chef cook-off;
The Iorn Chef cook-off has become a long tradition each Thursday during the summer camp season. Rather than the regular dining hall dinner, Troops must cook their own meal in their sites and present their dish to be judged by the staff. Winners are announced at the end of the week and given a special award.
Trail to Adventure;
The Trail to Adventure Program (TTA) is the first year camper program at Camp Minsi. The program provides a structured week by which your boys can optimize their camping experience. Requirements from Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class are covered in the program. The program also includes an overnight outpost for all participants. Totin’ Chip and Fireman Chit are also available to be earned by participation in the program.
The Ultimate Scouting Adventure'
The Ultimate Scouting Adventure, previously the Hiker's of Minsi, is a program for youth that have attended camp for two or more years that involves outpost camping and hiking, as well as, opportunities to earn several merit badges. The program runs Monday through Friday during the summer camp season. Meals are provided and prepared at the Sub Stations by the Scouts. The program incorporates hiking, scouting activities, outdoor survival skills, and Merit Badges. Activities include a canoe trek across Lake Stillwater; exploring the ice house ruins; building a monkey bridge across creek; using two-man saws, axes and other woodstools; tomahawk throwing and field archery; a compass orienteering course; a GPS navigation course; swamp hiking; boating; and snorkeling.
Winter camping
A special winter camping program is also run by the Minsi Trails Council at Camp Minsi. Winter camp is a permanent annual activity at Camp Minsi, which started in 1997 running during Martin Luther King WeekendMartin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15. The floating holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform...
in January of each year. Activities of the 4-day camp include: ice fishing, ice skating, ice hockey, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, rifle and shotgun shooting, a live demonstration of ice rescue, winter camping survival skills, use of GPS system, a hike over frozen Lake Stillwater, 3 Arctic Patrol Competitions and snow tubing at Camelback Ski Area
Camelback Ski Area
Camelback Mountain Resort is a ski and snowboard resort located in the Pocono Mountains region in Tannersville, Pennsylvania and Jackson Township adjacent to, and partially within Big Pocono State Park...
.
Merit badges were introduced to Winter Camp's program in 2006. Scouts have a chance to work on Ice-Skating, Snow Sports, Wilderness Survival, First Aid, Cooking, Astronomy, Camping, Rifle, Shotgun and Orienteering. The camp utilizes the activities field and state-of-the-art winter tents. The tents used are large, wall tents that sleep up to 8 Scouts; and are heated by wood stoves. Each tent is erected on a wooden platform and is furnished with bunk beds. Camp Minsi's winter camp sees more than 50 participants each year.
Other programs
Since before 1972, the camp has operated a week-long Cub ScoutCub Scout
A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
day camp for boys from Monroe
Monroe County, Pennsylvania
-National protected areas:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area * Middle Delaware National Scenic River -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there are 176,567 people, 49,454 households, and 36,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 228 people per square mile...
and Pike counties
Pike County, Pennsylvania
-National protected areas:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area * Middle Delaware National Scenic River * Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
. Camp Minsi hosted the NE-4A Order of the Arrow conclaves in 1996 and 2004.
Additionally, the camp has been used for many regional, council and district level camporees, trainings, services, Klondike derbies
Klondike Derby
A Klondike derby is an annual event held by some Boy Scouts of America and Scouts Canada districts during the winter months and is based on the heritage of the Klondike Gold Rush...
, trade-orees, fellowship events, service events, meetings and other activities. The Scouts of the BSA's Northeast Region held their post-Jamboree events at Camp Minsi in September 2007 where they reflected on and shared their experiences from the 21st World Scout Jamboree
21st World Scout Jamboree
The 21st World Scout Jamboree was held in July and August 2007, and formed a part of the Scouting 2007 Centenary celebrations of the world Scout Movement. The event was hosted by the United Kingdom, as 2007 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of Scouting on Brownsea Island.The event was...
.
Outside of Scouting, the International Game Fish Association held their 2006 junior angler tournament at Camp Minsi.
The Native Americans of Minsi (1600s - 1778)
Years ago the Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
s called the land of Camp Minsi home. The area which is now Lake Stillwater was an impenetrable, dense swamp. The forest was full of large trees. Stories tell of tree trunks so large that six men could not wrap their arms around them, and the Natives of the area told tales of the forests being so dense with trees that a squirrel
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
could go from the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
to the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
without having to touch the ground.
The Lenape
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
(or Lenni-Lenape) were inhabitants of the land in the 17th century. The Lenape were a mobile hunter-gatherer society in the region around the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
and the lower Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, and were native to the area of current Camp Minsi. The Lenape were organized in phratries, which were groups of two or more small clans, identified by an animal sign. Three Lenape phratries emerge in the early historical records: the Unami, the Ungalachtigo, and the Minsi. The camp's name, Minsi, derives from the Lenape Minsis. The Minsi phratry has also been referred to as Munsi, Munsee, Monsi, and Muncey. The symbol of the Unami (the turtle) has been adopted as the symbol of Camp Minsi.
Sullivan Expedition (1778)
During the height of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
(July 3, 1778 to be exact), over three hundred American patriots were killed in an Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
raid on Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley
Wyoming Valley
Wyoming Valley is a region of northeastern Pennsylvania. As a metropolitan area, it is also known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, after its principal cities, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre....
(the area around Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
and Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
). The Americans called it an "unwarranted massacre". The event incensed General Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. He feared for the safety of settlers living along the Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
and worried about possible future raids on his army and supplies. In order to eliminate the problem, Washington ordered Major General John Sullivan
John Sullivan
John Sullivan was the third son of Irish immigrants, a United States general in the Revolutionary War, a delegate in the Continental Congress and a United States federal judge....
to march with 2,000 soldiers from Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton is a city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,800 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Northampton County....
to the Wyoming Valley. Their orders were to wipe out all the Indian villages he encountered.
As Sullivan and his men marched north, they created a new trail. The route, known as Sullivan's Trail, would become a major road for transportation following the campaign. In fact, much of the original trail was used as the foundation for the highways, roads and trails of the area still in use today.
Sullivan's March brought Sullivan and his men into the Pocono region and into what is the current Camp Minsi.NationsTrails.com. Sullivan's Trail (Historic Trail Hike) Sullivan's Trail runs through Camp Minsi and is still used today. (The main trail that goes from the parking lot up behind the backside of the parade field; continues past the trading post, the fire circle, chapel and current Scoutcraft location; and continues down over the creek where "Second Bridge" now stands out towards Hunter's Cabin.)
Sullivan was quickly moving north when the local tribes heard of Sullivan’s plan. The Natives assembled in an attempt to thwart his efforts before he could reach the Wyoming Valley. The Native Americans of the area collected their warriors and waited patiently for Sullivan and his men in the area of the current day camp.
As Sullivan and his men continued to march on their mission, they came to a place where the heavy woods transitioned to an area of low bushes and shrubs (where, today, the camp's yellow trails rejoin the path to Hunter's Cabin – about 150 yards (137.2 m) after Second Bridge). It was an ideal place for an ambush.
When Sullivan reached this point, he and his men were attacked by the Natives. According to Sullivan, the Natives, at first, held the advantage over his surprised men. However, with their superior firepower over the bow and arrow, Sullivan's men turned the ambush into a rout of the Natives, wiping out approximately 90% of the estimated 1,000 warriors who turned up that day. Today, the area is known as "Bloody Angle" in honor of this bloody encounter and the many slaughtered Natives.
After his "victory", Sullivan did not linger. He and his men were riding hard for the Wyoming Valley area to complete their mission. Sullivan's army continued to carry out a scorched earth campaign, methodically destroying at least fifty Iroquois villages throughout Pennsylvania and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
After the clash at Bloody Angle, the local tribes gathered up their wounded and moved them back to their home tribes. However, the issue over where to bury the nearly 900 dead was a more complicated matter for the Natives. Many suggested burying the dead on the battle site directly next to Sullivan's Trail. However, many local Chiefs worried passersby using the trail might desecrate the grave markers. After much debate, the Chiefs decided on a partially cleared area further back down the trail. This area, a few hundred yards off the main trail, was far enough away from the main route to ensure that those passing by would not even know they were there. The Natives relocated and buried the dead in close low and rocky graves. This area became wholly sacred to the Native Americans in the area.
The dead were relocated to the area that is now used as the shotgun range.
The Area Hunters (1778 - 1870s)
General Sullivan and his troops cut a road from Easton through current Camp Minsi and on to northern Pennsylvania and New York on their march north. The road, known as Sullivan's Trail (and the Wilkes-Barre and Easton Turnpike), brought a substantial amount of traffic through the area. The area of Camp Minsi remained largely undeveloped, as it was not suitable for farming. However hunters, trappers, and traders inhabited the area around the busy trail.
In the 19th century a man named Wismer lived in what is now the Northwest area of camp. An outpost site currently resides where "Wismer's Cabin" once stood, next to the appropriately named Wismer's Swamp. Dotter was another hunter/trapper of the area. The Dotter's Cabin site (located next to the aptly named Dotter's Spring and Dotter's Run) is found in the center of Minsi's back-woods. Schlicker's cabin site and other sites from the period also exist on the camp's property. Each site holds its own legends and myths surrounding the hunters who once inhabited the land.
The area's trading post was the Hunter’s Cabin, which is on the eastern boundary of the camp near Sand Spring. Hunter’s Cabin was a popular stop-off point for many locals and travelers along Sullivan's Trail. Many used the cabin on either a bi-weekly or monthly basis to sell their goods and to purchase supplies needed for the next few weeks. Many of the items sold were animal skins, pelts, and tools. A tall stone chimney and fireplace is all that remains of the trading post today.
Rise of the Lumber Industry (1870s – 1880s)
Up until the 1870s, most of the land of the Pocono Plateau was pristine forest. The area where current Camp Minsi stands was full of large trees and dense swamp. During this time, businessmen from New York City and surrounding areas began buying up the land from local residents and clear-cutting the plateau to harvest the lumber.
In the first years of the 19th century, the vast forests of pine and hemlock were the focus of considerable interest as the market for timber increased in large cities along the Atlantic coast. The swamps around Minsi were destroyed and cut away to make room for man-made lakes designed to transport the cut timber downstream to waiting sawmills. Three very small streams and underground springs fed the newly made “Lake Stillwater”, with Tunkhannock Creek
Tunkhannock Creek
Tunkhannock Creek may refer to the following streams in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Tunkhannock Creek *Tunkhannock Creek...
being the major outlet for the lake. A dam was built to control the water flow and the level of the lake. Logs were sent from Lake Stillwater down Tunkhannock Creek to Lake Naomi, and then down another stream to the sawmill on Lake Pocono.
By the 1830s, lumbering was taking place on a massive scale throughout the region. By 1860, Pennsylvania, with over 28 million acres (110,000 km²) of land (much of which was densely forested) had become America's lumbering champion.
Ice Harvest on Lake Stillwater (1880s - 1930s)
Refrigeration
Refrigeration is a process in which work is done to move heat from one location to another. This work is traditionally done by mechanical work, but can also be done by magnetism, laser or other means...
, food was preserved through salting, spicing, pickling, or smoking. Meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables were all subject to spoilage. These products were only sold in the local markets, since shipping them was not practical. Consumers' choices were limited because they could not store these products for any substantial time. The solution to these problems was found in the harvesting of natural ice.
Numerous ice companies sprung up in the area as ice was harvested from the shallow freshwater lakes. Soon, the Pocono Mountain Ice Company, run by Samuel Rubel and based in Hoboken
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
, New Jersey, became the leading ice company in the area, buying up many of the smaller ice companies. Large ice houses were built around Lake Stillwater to store the large blocks of ice. Remnants of some of those facilities can still be seen at camp today.
Pennsylvania was the nation's third largest producer of ice, following Maine and New York. Pennsylvania consumed about 1 million tons annually, cut on the state's lakes and rivers. Aside from Stillwater Lake, Pocono Mountain Ice Company harvested ice on Saylor's Lake, Trout Lake
Trout Lake
Trout Lake may refer to:*Trout Lake on the border of Polk County, Florida, and Highlands County, Florida* Trout Lake * Trout Lake in Ravalli County, Montana* Trout Lake in Sweet Grass County County, Montana...
, Lake Naomi, Pocono Lake, Mountain Spring Lake, and the Lakes at Tobyhanna
Tobyhanna
Tobyhanna may refer to the following places in Pennsylvania in the United States:*Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County*Tobyhanna Army Depot, a United States Army installation in Tobyhanna Township...
. It was reported that the Pocono Mountain Ice Company was harvesting ice for 6 cents per ton. Ice workers out on the lake were paid 30 cents an hour, while those working in the icehouse, where 300-pound ice cakes were being pushed around, were paid 35 cents an hour. The Pocono Mountain Ice Company employed over 500 men during the height of the harvest.
Beginning in the 1930s with the advent of refrigeration, the harvesting of the ice from the lakes became less and less profitable. Eventually, the ice companies folded, while still controlling large tracts of land.
The Scouts and Minsi (1949 - present)
Delaware Valley Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, operated Weygadt Scout Reservation in the Delaware Water Gap
Delaware Water Gap
The Delaware Water Gap is on the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania where the Delaware River cuts through a large ridge of the Appalachian Mountains...
on the Delaware River from 1931 until 1968. Weygadt Scout Reservation was originally home to two Scout camps — the Easton Council's Camp Weygadt on the southern part of the reservation and the Bethlehem Area Council's Camp Minsi on the northern section of the reservation. In the later part of the 1930s, the Bethlehem Council moved Camp Minsi to the Poconos, and the entire reservation in the Water Gap became Camp Weygadt.
Throughout 1920s and 1930s the summer camp for the Bethlehem Area Council moved from place to place in the Poconos. Once it was held in Tobyhanna State Park
Tobyhanna State Park
Tobyhanna State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on mostly in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, with a small portion of the park in Dreher and Lehigh townships in Wayne County, all in Pennsylvania in the United States. The park includes the Tobyhanna Lake and a portion of Tobyhanna Creek...
. In 1949, Samuel Rubel and the Mountain Ice Company donated the land around Lake Stillwater to the Bethlehem Area Council for a small $10 transaction fee.
At this time the council was able to set up a permanent camp. A camp was established on the southern shore of the lake — what is now known as the Weygadt side of the lake. The old buildings of the Ice Company were used for the staff housing, dining hall, health lodge, indoor rifle range and the ranger’s lodging.
The council sought to expand its programming for summer camp and the plans were drawn up for a bigger and better Camp Minsi. In the mid-to-late 1950s the plans were realized, chiefly through the donations given to the council from Bethlehem Steel. As construction took shape in the new camp, several buildings in the original camp were torn down and the ranger took up residence in the building currently known as Weygadt Conference Center.
Construction of the current camp, along the western side of the lake, was completed in 1958. The newly expanded camp opened for the first time in the summer of 1959. In 1968 Weygadt Scout Resevation was forced to sell their property due to the impending Tocks Island Dam
Tocks Island
Tocks Island, located upstream from Delaware Water Gap in the Delaware River was the controversial site of a dam, proposed in the 1950s, which would have created a 37-mile long lake between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with depths of up to 140 feet...
project on the Delaware River; however many of the camp's resources and legacies, have been able to live on at Camp Minsi. The cannon currently in use in the parade field was originally from Camp Weygadt; and funds from the sale of the Weygadt property has funded many projects at Camp Minsi — including the expansion and dedication of the "Weygadt Trust Dining Hall" in 2007.
Camp Minsi, now part of Minsi Trails Council due to the merging of councils, continues to serve Scouts. Over the past 50-years the number of campsites has increased from the original eight sites to ten, and each site has also grown in capacity and design. Several program areas and facilities have been moved and added throughout the years. The fire circle was improved and expanded in 1980 by Post 940 and again in 2004 by the local Order of the Arrow lodge. A chapel was built in 1981; the "state of the art" central shower house was constructed in 1998; and the camp dedicated the newly built "Derrer Pavalion" in the Trail to Adventure program area in 2006. In 2007 Minsi expanded the camp's Dining Hall by an additional 80 feet (24.4 m) as well as a returned a porch to the building along with other improvements. Also in 2007, the camp dedicated newly renovated and improved "Walter F. and Joan C. Williams" Waterfront facilities.
Venturing Crew 940
Camp Minsi also is home of Venturing Crew
Venturing (Boy Scouts of America)
Venturing is part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America for young adults, men and women, from the age of 14 years old or 13 years old and completed eighth grade through 21....
940 (formally Explorer Post
Exploring (Learning for Life)
Exploring is a worksite-based program of Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America, for young men and women who are 14 through 20 years old...
940). The crew is the staff alumni organization, and is made up of the current and former staff of the Minsi summer camp. The crew and post partake in fellowship and service events around the camp throughout the year.
Trexler Scout Reservation
Trexler Scout Reservation is a 900 acres (3.6 km²) reservation owned by Minsi Trails Council. The reservation is home to Akelaland, Settlers Camp and Hawkeye Wilderness camp. The reservation is located in Jonas, Pennsylvania. The camp was donated to the Boy Scouts of the Lehigh Valley in 1927 by General Harry Clay Trexler.The Reservation features two small lakes (Trexler Lake and Lake Minsi) which are shared by the two camps. The reservation contains 25 miles (40.2 km) of hiking trails. The reservation is also home to the largest Project COPE
Project COPE
Project COPE is an acronym for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience, a program in the Boy Scouts of America. It consists of different challenges for groups of scouts that involve teamwork and problem solving, or for individual scouts that test agility and individual skills...
course in the Northeast Region of the Boy Scouts of America. Trexler is also offered to Girl Scouts during the winter.
History
Trexler Scout Reservation in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, is the Northeast Region's foremost Boy Scout Camp. In 1927, decorated war hero Henry C. Trexler turned a tract of land in Monroe County into a camp for the Boy Scouts of the Lehigh County Council. the camp opened in 1928 and during 2008 the camp will celebrate its 80th Anniversary.Today, premier attributes of this 900 acres (3.6 km²) Scout Reservation include: Separate Boy Scout and Cub Scout Resident Camps, two lakes with Fishing, Boating, and Canoeing and two fully staffed waterfronts. The reservation also has over 25 miles (40.2 km) of hiking and orienteering trails to offer.
Facilities
Settlers CampSettlers Camp is one of Minsi Trails Council's two Boy Scout camps, the other being Camp Minsi. Settlers Camp is nestled in the woods of Trexler Scout Reservation. The camp holds 17 camp sites and runs a summer program including merit badges, open swimming, ecology, shooting, climbing, arts and crafts, sports, vespers, rank advancement workshops, special adult leader programs and meal time dining programs.
A major part of the Settlers Camp program is their rocker patch panel program. Segments are earned based upon participation in different program areas and camp-wide events. The rocker program consists of 18 unique rocker segments. While they change every summer camp year most segments include scoutcraft lashings, mile swim, COPE, BSA Lifeguard, "the Handicraft Eager Beaver", Nature Conservation, rifle/shotgun, athletics, archery, and others. All scouts receive a "1 Week at Camp" rocker just for coming to camp. The rockers and patches are known to be desired items within the patch trading communities — including jamborees, Order of the Arrow
Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America . It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the...
conclaves, and even eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
.
Venturing Crew 1928
Settlers Camp also is home of Venturing Crew
Venturing (Boy Scouts of America)
Venturing is part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America for young adults, men and women, from the age of 14 years old or 13 years old and completed eighth grade through 21....
1928 (formally Explorer Post
Exploring (Learning for Life)
Exploring is a worksite-based program of Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America, for young men and women who are 14 through 20 years old...
1928). The crew is the staff alumni organization, and is made up of the current and former staff of the Settlers summer camp. The crew and post partake in fellowship and service events around the camp throughout the year. Originally, Post/Crew 1928 served the entire Trexler Scout Reservation.
Akelaland
Akelaland is a Cub Scout resident camp located with in Trexler Scout Reservation. Akelaland is the council's week-long resident Cub Scout camp, and is one of the few week-long resident Cub Scout camps in the North East Region.
Akelaland was formally "Pioneer Camp", Minsi Trails Council's rustic Scout camp which encompassed over 200 acre (0.809372 km²) of Trexler Scout Reservation. In the mid- 1980's the camp was closed and converted to a Cub Scout resident camp. The Pioneer building (a small one-room building with a wood burning stove) still stands today, as well as other parts of the original camp.
Changes over the years and the increased attendance have brought many improvements to the facility. Akelaland has an 18-hole miniature golf course. The camp includes a Health Lodge and Trading Post located in the center of camp, along with Fort James, the Dining Hall, the Parade Field and shower houses. Past the Parade Field there are Shooting Ranges, an Action Archery range, and an activities field. Renovations to the Dining Hall began in 2006, and a new dining hall, now twice the original size, stands facing the new parade field. The camp also has a lake, Lake Pioneer, which they share with Setters Camp. The Minsi Trails Council has begun a swimming pool construction project to be completed in the near future.
The camp has 18 campsites, each with site capacity ranging from 10 to 20 campers.
Akelaland is also home to Venture Crew 1629. This venturing crew is for staff members only and is mainly used for service projects to their camp. In fact, their motto is D.T.S., or dedicated to service, to show their pride for their camp.
Each summer Akelaland is runs 7 weeks of summer camp program for Cub Scout packs. The week-long resident camp program includes swimming, boating, nature, archery, BB Gun, handicraft, athletics, outdoor skills, water games, fishing, hiking, astronomy, flag ceremonies, singing, scavenger hunts and special theme related events. "Mini Weeks" are also available for Scouts running from Sunday to Wednesday each week.
Venturing Crew 1629
Akelaland also is home of Venturing Crew
Venturing (Boy Scouts of America)
Venturing is part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America for young adults, men and women, from the age of 14 years old or 13 years old and completed eighth grade through 21....
1629. The crew is the staff alumni organization, and is made up of the current and former staff of the Akelaland summer camp. The crew and post partake in fellowship and service events around the camp throughout the year.
Off-Season camping
Trexler Scout Reservation is open year round for individual use or other council functions. Additionally, during the fall and spring two weekends of camp program are run for scouts and their families. "Fall Family Camp" is run during the fall, a couple months after the last week of summer camp. Scouts bring their families along for weekend of camp program (Friday-Sunday). "Beaver Day" is run during the spring, a couple months before the first week of summer resident camp. Just like "Fall Family Camp", regular program is provided for Scouts along with a chance to prepare and begin set-up for the summer program.Council Service Center
The Minsi Trails Council maintains a central headquarters and service center in Allentown (991 Postal Road). The service center includes offices, training center, conference rooms, and a large council shop. A capital finance campaign is currently running to gain funds to enlarge the center to accommodate the continually growing council. A copy of the R. Tait McKenzieR. Tait McKenzie
Robert Tait McKenzie was an internationally renowned Canadian-born sculptor, doctor, soldier, physical educator, athlete and Scouter...
sculpture The Ideal Scout stands outside the center.
Order of the Arrow
Minsi Trails Council is home to the Witauchsoman Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. Witauchsoman means "to be in fellowship with somebody".In 1928, thirteen years after the introduction of the Order of the Arrow into scouting, Minsi Lodge #5 emerged. The Minsi Lodge served the Lehigh Council that operated Trexler Scout Reservation at the time. In 1936, the Pohopoco Lodge #44 replaced the Minsi Lodge. For thirty-three years the Pohopoco Lodge acted as a pilot lodge, helping to start new lodges in the area.
In January 1969, Pohopoco merged with two other lodges forming the first tri-merger in the history of the Order of the Arrow. The other lodges were the Tunkhannock Lodge #476 of the Bethlehem Area Council operating Camp Minsi, and the Ah’Pace Lodge #58 of the Delaware Valley Area Council operating Camp Weygadt. The tri-merger was named the Witauchsoman Lodge #44. The totem of the lodge is three peace pipes (symbolizing the three predecessor lodges) strong on a bow. The lodge has become a strong and vibrant force in the Minsi Trails Council. In 1980, a new chapter that formerly served the Anthracite Scouting Organization joined the brotherhood of the lodge. This was a result of the Organization becoming a new district in the Minsi Trails Council. In 1994, Witauchsoman re-established chapters. Each of the council's six scouting districts operates a chapter.
Witauchsoman Lodge has since continued its growth. The lodge has hosted four Section Conclaves. In 1978 and 1988, the lodge hosted the NE-5A Conclave at the Trexler Scout Reservation. In 1996 and 2004, they hosted the NE-4A Conclave at Camp Minsi.
In 2003, for the first time in the 34 year history of the lodge, it became a National Quality Lodge.
Chapters
- Ah'Pace Chapter (Forks of the Delaware District)
- Quekolis Chapter (Anthracite District)
- Pohopoco Chapter (Trexler District)
- Tunkhannock Chapter (South Mountain District)
- Pokawachne Chapter (Pocono District)
- Wapagokhos Chapter (North Valley District)
Notable Members & Executives
- John B. CallahanJohn B. CallahanJohn B. Callahan is the mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was the Democratic nominee in an unsuccessful 2010 bid for United States Representative for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district.-Early life, education and career:...
, Mayor of Bethlehem, PA - Charlie DentCharlie DentCharles "Charlie" Dent is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district includes all of Northampton County, most of Lehigh County, and small parts of Berks and Montgomery Counties....
, United States Congressman - Paul F. McHale, Jr.Paul F. McHale, Jr.Paul F. McHale, Jr. is an American politician. He was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and from 1993 to 1999, he represented Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives....
, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Security - Samuel Rubel, CEO of the Pocono Mountain Ice Company
- Harry Clay Trexler, General
Silver Beaver Award Recipients
2012- Craig M. Brady
- Dr. F. Javier Cevallos
- Richard L. Price Jr.
- Thomas Stalsitz
- Bernhard J. Suess
- J. Verkade
Venturing Leadership Award Recipients
2011- Steven Thompson
- Timothy Williams
2010
- Jason Capone