Valley Forge Pilgrimage
Encyclopedia
The Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment is the oldest annual Scouting
event in the World
. It was first held on February 22, 1913 (George Washington
's 181st birthday), and has been held every year since. The event is hosted by the Cradle of Liberty Council
and commemorates the soldiers of the Continental Army
who braved the winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge
. Each year more than 2,000 brave the winter chill of the Delaware Valley
to participate.
(BSA) was only three years old, and was sweeping the country as a part of the progressive movement when approximately 300 Scouts from Philadelphia
and suburban Delaware
and Montgomery Counties
took part in the first pilgrimage.
Typical attendance ranged from 125 to 275 Scouts and leaders until the Great Depression
. The event has been held every year, even during the Depression and World War II
, though the event was then held at a reduced scale. In the early years, Scouts traveled to Valley Forge by train and foot, arriving at the Valley Forge Train Station.
The event was organized by an Episcopal
priest
, Rev. Dr. W. Herbert Burk of Norristown
. Burk had also been instrumental in building the Washington Memorial Chapel
at Valley Forge. Burk continued to be involved in the planning for the annual pilgrimage for the next two decades. The term "pilgrimage" was chosen because every participating troop lined up in formation with their flags and paraded to the chapel for the memorial
service for George Washington.
The first official overnight Valley Forge Encampment in connection with a pilgrimage was in 1948. Prior to that there were many unofficial campouts on the site, as the area was relatively rural and unpopulated. General John Pershing and Daniel Carter Beard
have both been featured guests. The biggest crowd was at the 1932 pilgrimage, which marked Washington's 200th birthday. An estimated 9,000 Boy Scouts from Pennsylvania and neighboring states, plus 10,000 adults and children, were on hand.
The event itself is divided into two parts: the Encampment, in which Scouts camp from Friday through Sunday on the Presidents' Day weekend, and the Pilgrimage which is all day Saturday. During the Pilgrimage, participants move around the Valley Forge NHP
to hear volunteer interpreters from the National Park Service
tell how the Continentals lived. Replicas of the original huts provide a glimpse of daily life. Conditions during the winter were poor, so the stories are also told how more than 2,000 soldiers died from typhus
, dysentery
, typhoid and pneumonia
.
The Valley Forge Historical Trail is a 9-mile hiking trail through the Valley Forge National Park.
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
event in the World
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
. It was first held on February 22, 1913 (George 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...
's 181st birthday), and has been held every year since. The event is hosted 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...
and commemorates the soldiers of the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
who braved the winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
. Each year more than 2,000 brave the winter chill of the Delaware Valley
Delaware Valley
The Delaware Valley is a term used to refer to the valley where the Delaware River flows, along with the surrounding communities. This includes the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia. Such educational institutions as Delaware Valley Regional High School in Alexandria Township...
to participate.
History
Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy 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...
(BSA) was only three years old, and was sweeping the country as a part of the progressive movement when approximately 300 Scouts from Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
and suburban Delaware
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
and Montgomery Counties
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
took part in the first pilgrimage.
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. The event has been held every year, even during the Depression and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, though the event was then held at a reduced scale. In the early years, Scouts traveled to Valley Forge by train and foot, arriving at the Valley Forge Train Station.
The event was organized by an Episcopal
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America encompassing the counties of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware in the state of Pennsylvania....
priest
Anglican ministry
The Anglican ministry is both the leadership and agency of Christian service in the Anglican Communion. "Ministry" commonly refers to the office of ordained clergy: the threefold order of bishops, priests and deacons. More accurately, Anglican ministry includes many laypeople who devote themselves...
, Rev. Dr. W. Herbert Burk of Norristown
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown is a municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, northwest of the city limits of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. The population was 34,324 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
. Burk had also been instrumental in building the Washington Memorial Chapel
Washington Memorial Chapel
Located in Valley Forge National Historical Park in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the Washington Memorial Chapel is both an active Episcopal Parish and a tribute to General George Washington. Designed by Milton B. Medary, the Chapel resulted from a sermon preached by founder, the Rev. Dr. W...
at Valley Forge. Burk continued to be involved in the planning for the annual pilgrimage for the next two decades. The term "pilgrimage" was chosen because every participating troop lined up in formation with their flags and paraded to the chapel for the memorial
Memorial
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person or an event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or art objects such as sculptures, statues or fountains, and even entire parks....
service for George Washington.
The first official overnight Valley Forge Encampment in connection with a pilgrimage was in 1948. Prior to that there were many unofficial campouts on the site, as the area was relatively rural and unpopulated. General John Pershing and Daniel Carter Beard
Daniel Carter Beard
Daniel Carter "Uncle Dan" Beard was an American illustrator, author, youth leader, and social reformer who founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905, which Beard later merged with the Boy Scouts of America .-Early life:...
have both been featured guests. The biggest crowd was at the 1932 pilgrimage, which marked Washington's 200th birthday. An estimated 9,000 Boy Scouts from Pennsylvania and neighboring states, plus 10,000 adults and children, were on hand.
Events
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site where the Continental Army spent the winter of 1777–1778 near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the American Revolutionary War. The National Historical Park preserves the site and interprets the history of the Valley Forge encampment. ...
to hear volunteer interpreters from the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
tell how the Continentals lived. Replicas of the original huts provide a glimpse of daily life. Conditions during the winter were poor, so the stories are also told how more than 2,000 soldiers died from typhus
Typhus
Epidemic typhus is a form of typhus so named because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters...
, dysentery
Dysentery
Dysentery is an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in the faeces with fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, dysentery can be fatal.There are differences between dysentery and normal bloody diarrhoea...
, typhoid and pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
.
Themes
- 1951
- 1952- Log cabin appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1953- Log cabin appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1954
- 1955- Log cabin appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1956- Log cabin appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1957- Log cabin appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1958
- 1959- Washington memorial appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1960- Washington on horseback appeared on pilgrimage/encampment silk patch
- 1961- Washington memorial appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier on watch on encampment patch.
- 1962- Sillouette of Washington appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier by cook fire on encampment patch.
- 1963- Wake & Midway bells from chapel's carrilon appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier by fire on encampment patch.
- 1964- Canon and pickets appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier cutting wood with axe on encampment patch.
- 1965- Star Redoubt appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier using shovel appeared on encampment patch.
- 1966- Washington on horseback appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier playing drum appeared on encampment patch.
- 1967- Soldier in snow with cabins in background appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier working as blacksmith appeared on encampment patch.
- 1968- Duportail Designer of the Encampment appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier next to cannon appeared on encampment patch.
- 1969- Valley Forge Memorial Arch appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier walking with bucket appeared on encampment patch.
- 1970- House - Washington's HQ appeared on pilgrimage patch; soldier carrying firewood next to fire appeared on encampment patch.
- 1971- Soldier in snow with cabins in background appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1972- Cabin in snow appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1973- Statue of Mad Anthony WayneAnthony WayneAnthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
appeared on pilgrimage patch - 1974- Von Steuben appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1975- Washington's tent appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1976- Soldiers huddling around fire appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1977- Washington kneeling in prayer appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1978- Washington memorial appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1979- Valley Forge Arch Memorial appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1980- Watch tower appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1981- Cabin in snow appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1982- Continental soldier in the snow appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1983- Soldiers' hut in snow appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1984- Canon appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1985- Major General Duportail appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1986- Major General Greene appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1987- Jubilee Pilgrimage Washington appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1988- General Anthony Wayne appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1989- General Henry KnoxHenry KnoxHenry Knox was a military officer of the Continental Army and later the United States Army, and also served as the first United States Secretary of War....
appeared on pilgrimage patch - 1990- General Sullivan appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1991- Brigadier General Varnum appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1992- Colonel Daniel Morgan appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1993- Centennial of Valey Forge Park - log cabin appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1994- [Drum Corps?]Drum appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1995- The common soldier
- 1996- Harry Lee - Light Horse appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 1997- Brigadier General Mulhenberg appeared on encampment patch
- 1998- Martha Washington appeared on Pilgrimage Patch, A Private in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment appeared on Encampment Patch
- 1999- Nathanial Green appeared on pilgrimage patch,
- 2000- Louis Le Beque Duportail - surveyors & engineers - appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 2001- Henry Knox - artillery - appeared on pilgrimage patch
- 2002- Christopher Ludwig - baker general - appeared on Pilgrimage Patch, Supply Wagon appears on Encampment Patch
- 2003- 225thAnniversary of the American Revolution
- 2004- General William Alexander appeared on pilgrimage patch, encampment patch featured cannons.
- 2005- Alexander HamiltonAlexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
Aide-De-Campappeared on pilgrimage patch - 2006 - Benjamin Franklin appeared on the pilgrimage patch, Continental Artillery on the encampment patch
- 2007— Allan Mclane, Washington's right hand man, who also played a large role in the Revolution's spies. McLane known as the unknown hero. Oneida Nation - Native American appeared on encampment patch.
- 2008— Lt. Col. John LaurensJohn LaurensJohn Laurens was an American soldier and statesman from South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. He gained approval by the Continental Congress in 1779 to recruit a regiment of 3000 slaves by promising them freedom in return for fighting...
, aide-de-camp to General Washington and wounded three times. Later died. - 2009— Baron Johann de KalbJohann de KalbJohann von Robais, Baron de Kalb , born Johann Kalb, was a German soldier who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.-Early life:...
, major general in the Continental Army. Much beloved hero - many counties, towns and streets named for de Kalb. - 2011-The Marquis de Lafayette is honored
Valley Forge Historical Trail
The Valley Forge Historical Trail is a 9-mile hiking trail through the Valley Forge National Park.