Resica Falls Scout Reservation
Encyclopedia
Resica Falls Scout Reservation is a camp in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
(near the Pocono
Mountains) operated by the Cradle of Liberty Council
of the Boy Scouts of America
. The reservation is part of a conservation easement with the Natural Lands Trust
.
The property is now owned by the Cradle of Liberty Council
. Camp Firestone and most of Camp Great Bend is currently closed because of lack of campers.
In recent years, the Big Springs Camp has grown to encompass a majority of the old Great Bend Camp. This has fueled many capital improvements throughout the reservation, most notably the addition of the Sir John Templeton Dining Hall.
runs through the camp and also runs into neighbor camps. The camp is built around, and gets its name from the 45-foot waterfall on the property.
The camp is used by hunters and fishermen with the permission of the scouts. It is known among fisherman, especially fly fisherman. During the fall fishing season, the camp rents cabins to fishermen looking to fish along the Bushkill Creek. Even though there are certain restrictions, fisherman still fish along the eponymous falls.
. The Pennsylvania DNCR
contributed a $900,000 in grants to the project. The easement restricts development on the property and ensures that an additional 1028 acres (4.2 km²) of valuable natural open space will be permanently preserved.
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg is the most populous municipality in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the Poconos region of the state. Originally known as "Dansbury", East Stroudsburg was renamed for geographic reasons when the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad opened a...
(near the Pocono
The Poconos
The Pocono Mountains is a region located in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States. The Poconos, located chiefly in Monroe and Pike counties , are an upland of the larger Allegheny Plateau...
Mountains) operated by the Cradle of Liberty Council
Cradle of Liberty Council
The Cradle of Liberty Council is a Boy Scouts of America council created in 1996 with the merger of the former Philadelphia Council and the former Valley Forge Council .-History:The present council is the result of the 1996 merger of Philadelphia and Valley Forge councils...
of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
. The reservation is part of a conservation easement with the Natural Lands Trust
Natural Lands Trust
The Natural Lands Trust, headquartered in Media, Pennsylvania, is one of the oldest regional land conservation groups in the United States. Founded by a group of avid bird-watchers in 1953, as the Philadelphia Conservationists, the Trust works in the suburban counties near Philadelphia to the...
.
History
In 1955 the Philadelphia and Valley Forge Councils purchased the property jointly. Dedicated in April 1956, the camp opened in 1957 and was operated by both Councils until 1965, when Valley Forge Council bought out the Philadelphia Council's interest. Originally, the reservation was to consist of six camps, each holding two hundred and fifty boys. Three camps - Camp Big Springs, Camp Great Bend and Camp Firestone - were built on the reservation.The property is now owned by the Cradle of Liberty Council
Cradle of Liberty Council
The Cradle of Liberty Council is a Boy Scouts of America council created in 1996 with the merger of the former Philadelphia Council and the former Valley Forge Council .-History:The present council is the result of the 1996 merger of Philadelphia and Valley Forge councils...
. Camp Firestone and most of Camp Great Bend is currently closed because of lack of campers.
In recent years, the Big Springs Camp has grown to encompass a majority of the old Great Bend Camp. This has fueled many capital improvements throughout the reservation, most notably the addition of the Sir John Templeton Dining Hall.
Geography
Big Bushkill CreekBig Bushkill Creek
Big Bushkill Creek is a tributary of the Delaware River in the Poconos of eastern Pennsylvania in the United States....
runs through the camp and also runs into neighbor camps. The camp is built around, and gets its name from the 45-foot waterfall on the property.
The camp is used by hunters and fishermen with the permission of the scouts. It is known among fisherman, especially fly fisherman. During the fall fishing season, the camp rents cabins to fishermen looking to fish along the Bushkill Creek. Even though there are certain restrictions, fisherman still fish along the eponymous falls.
Conservation
In February 2006, the Natural Lands Trust completed a conservation easement on the reservation on behalf of Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe CountyMiddle Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania
Middle Smithfield Township is a township in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,495 at the 2000 census. 2008 population estimates by the United States Census Bureau place the population at 14,900.-Geography:...
. The Pennsylvania DNCR
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources , established on July 1, 1995, is the agency in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania responsible for maintaining and preserving the state's 117 state parks and 20 state forests; providing information on the state's natural resources; and...
contributed a $900,000 in grants to the project. The easement restricts development on the property and ensures that an additional 1028 acres (4.2 km²) of valuable natural open space will be permanently preserved.