Wisconsin has a long history with the Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations from the 1910s to the present day, both programs have independently served thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.
Early history (1910–1950) In 1920, the Appleton Council, and the Neenah-Menasha Council were both formed. They merged to become the Valley Council (#635) in 1922. In 1924 Valley Council changed its name to the Fox River Valley Council (#635), changing it back to Valley in 1925. In 1920, the Fond Du Lac Council (#622) was founded, changing its name to the Badger Council (#622) in 1926. In 1919, the Manitowoc Council (#625) was formed, changing its name to the Manitowoc County Council (#625) in 1929, changing its name to the Waumegasako Council (#625) in 1940. The Waumegasako Council merged into the Bay-Lakes Council (#635) in 1973. In 1920, the Green Bay Council was founded, closing in 1922. In 1930, the Green Bay Area Council was founded again, changing its name to the Nicollet Area Council (#621) in 1934. In 1919, the Oshkosh Council (#630) was founded, changing its name to the Twin Lakes Council (#630) in 1935. In 1919, the Sheboygan County Council (#632) was founded, changing its name to the Kettle Moraine Council (#632) in 1935.
The Oconomowoc Council was formed in 1917. It disbanded in 1921. The Janesville Council was formed in 1917. It disbanded in 1917. The Sturgeon Bay Council was formed in 1918. It disbanded in 1919. The Ashland Council was formed in 1918. It disbanded in 1920.
Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation is a Boy Scouts of America property and High Adventure base located in Northern Wisconsin and serves the Scouts of the Northeast Illinois Council based in Highland Park, Illinois. Originally a logging camp, the Scouts purchased the land and first had campers in 1929. The camp is in size.
Recent history (1950–present) The Bay-Lakes Council (#635) was formed in 1973 by a merger of the following councils: Badger (based in Fond du Lac), Waumegesako (based in Manitowoc), Nicolet Area (based in Green Bay), Valley (based in Menasha), Twin Lakes (based in Oshkosh), and Kettle Moraine (based in Sheboygan). The Hiawathaland Council joined in 2012.
Boy Scouts of America in Wisconsin today
There are seven Boy Scouts of America local councils headquartered in Wisconsin. Additionally, some adjacent councils in Illinois and Minnesota serve portions of Wisconsin. Besides these councils, some out of state councils maintain camp facilities in Wisconsin.
Bay-Lakes Council
The Bay-Lakes Council is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and also serves Scouts in Michigan. Bay-Lakes Council #635 was formed on July 1, 1973, and is geographically one of the largest Boy Scout councils in the United States.
Bay-Lakes Council was formed in 1973 by a merger of the following councils: Badger (based in Fond du Lac), Waumegesako (based in Manitowoc), Nicolet Area (based in Green Bay), Valley (based in Menasha), Twin Lakes (based in Oshkosh), and Kettle Moraine (based in Sheboygan). The Hiawathaland Council joined in 2012.
Blackhawk Area Council
Blackhawk Area Council is headquartered in Rockford, Illinois and serves southwestern Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois.
Chippewa Valley Council
The Chippewa Valley Council is headquartered in Eau Claire.
History
In 1922, the Watertown Council was formed, disbanding in 1925. In 1927, the Chippewa Falls Council was formed, disbanding in 1928. In 1927, the Eau Claire Council (#621) was formed, changing its name to the Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties Council (#621), changing its name to the Ojibwa Council (#621) in 1925. Ojibwa became the Chippewa Valley Council (#637) in 1928.
Organization
Blue Hills
Clear Water
Glaciers End
Tall Oaks
Camps
L.E. Phillips Scout Reservation (Rice Lake)
Order of the Arrow
Otyokwa Lodge #337
Gateway Area Council
The Gateway Area Council, headquartered in La Crosse, serves Scouts in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
History
In 1917, the Lacrosse Council (#624) was formed, changing its name to the Gateway Area Council in 1925.
Organization
Seven Rivers- Houston County (MN), School District of La Crosse, Onalaska, Prairie du Chien, Stoddard The Great Soaring Eagle- Buffalo & Trempealeau Counties, School District of Holmen Winding Trails- Jackson, Monroe, Juneau, Vernon, Crawford Counties, School District of West Salem, Bangor