Scouting in Iowa has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

Early history (1910-1960)

The earliest verifiable evidence of

Boy Scouts of America The Boy Scouts of America (BSA, colloquially the Boy Scouts) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 1.2 million youth participants. The BSA was founded i ...

involvement within Iowa appears to be with Troop 1 in Villisca. The Scoutmaster was W.H. Bell and his signature is clearly visible on the tattered remains of a Boy Scout Certificate (tucked into a 1st edition scout book) for Ned Cecil Osborn (1898-1985). Ned was 13 years old, in the Ram Patrol, and "Qualified as a Tenderfoot" on October 29, 1912. Both of Ned's sons, Donald and Richard participated in scouting and continued to do so when the family relocated to Stuart during the Great Depression. When Richard achieved his Life Badge in 1943, it was awarded by a

Scout Executive The Boy Scouts of America is an organization run by volunteers, however the day-to-day administration is performed by a staff of professional (or career) Scouters. The organization has professional staffing at every level—district, council, reg ...

from Des Moines. The executive started the ceremony by announcing that one of the very earliest scouts registered in the State of Iowa was present and would assist in the presentation. He then called Ned forward to assist in his sons ceremony. Beyond his Tenderfoot certification, Ned remained active in Troop 1 and when older, participated as an assistant scout leader. While serving in that role, Ned befriended and mentored younger scout Claude Maxwell 'Max' Stanley (about 6 years younger than Ned). Max went on to found Stanley Engineering in Muscatine. Max also founded the

Stanley Center for Peace and Security The Stanley Center for Peace and Security (formerly The Stanley Foundation) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, private operating foundation seeking to address "global challenges that present a profound threat to human survival and well-being," namely ...

which seeks to mitigate climate change and address global violence and atrocities. Scouting began in

Jewell, Iowa Jewell Junction, better known as Jewell, is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,216 at the time of the 2020 census. History Jewell Junction was platted in 1880. It was named for D. T. Jewell, the original owner ...

, due to the generosity of Mrs. Carrie A. Strong. Mrs. Strong had resided in Jewell and moved to California, but due to her interest in the town even after relocation, she gave the town of Jewell its first step in Scouting. In 1916, Mrs. Strong came back to Jewell for her annual visit went before the city fathers to tell them that she would provide the fund to buy and build a Scout House on, and give $1000 to construct a building suitable for The Scout program. A parcel of land was bought from H. K. and Christian Gronbeck on October 14, 1916, for the sum of $840.00. The building was let to Peterson Builders for the Scout House 240 by 48 feet and 12 foot high. The completed cost for the building was $935.00. The First Scoutmaster was Reverend Norstad and his assistants were professors from the then . F. H. Ferbitz became Scoutmaster in October 1923 with 28 Scouts under his leadership. A Fife and Drum Corp was also started at that time and the grounds were cleaned and the building painted. A basketball league was formed which consisted of four teams. After the basketball games, the boys would have what they referred to as, "a feed." These feeds were paid for by the continued contributions of Mrs. Strong up to the time of her death on November 27, 1923. In 1937, the Mesquakie Area Council (#174) was founded, merging into the Buffalo Bill Area Council (#176) in 1958. In 1915, the Davenport Council (#176) was founded, changing it name to Buffalo Bill Area Council (#176) in 1928. It merged into the Illowa Council (#133) in 1967. In 1920, LeMars Council (#182) was created, merging into the

Sioux City Area Council The Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America offers programs in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Mid-America Council was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council and the Southwest Iowa Council in 1965. The firs ...

(#185) in 1926. In 1918,

Sioux City Council The Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America offers programs in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Mid-America Council was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council and the Southwest Iowa Council in 1965. The firs ...

(#185) was created, changing its name to the

(#185) in 1926. In 1939, Sioux City Area changed its name to the Sergeant Floyd Area Council (#185) in 1939. Sergeant Floyd Area merged into Prairie Gold Area Council (#179) in 1972. In 1919, Fort Dodge Council (#179) was created. In 1942 the council changed its name name to Prairie Gold Area Council (#179). In 1920, the

Shenandoah Council The Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America offers programs in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Mid-America Council was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council and the Southwest Iowa Council in 1965. The firs ...

was founded, folding in 1921. In 1919,

Council Bluffs Council The Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America offers programs in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Mid-America Council was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council and the Southwest Iowa Council in 1965. The firs ...

(#175) was created. In 1926 the council changed its name name to Waubonsie Boyer Council (#175). It chnaged it name again to the Southwest Iowa Council (#175), eventually merging into the

Mid-America Council The Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America offers programs in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Mid-America Council was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council and the Southwest Iowa Council in 1965. The firs ...

in 1965. In 1918, the Marshalltown Council was founded, folding in 1919. In 1918, the Webster City Council was founded, folding in 1919. In 1918, the Red Oak Council was founded, folding in 1920.

Recent history (1960-2010)

During the 1950s and 60s eastern Iowa was home to the Buffalo Bill Area Council (#176) spanning an area from Dubuque to Muscatine. The council office was located in Davenport. The summer camp, Camp Minneyata, was outside of Dixon on the

Wapsipinicon River The Wapsipinicon River (, locally known as the Wapsi) is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long,U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed May 13, 2011 starting n ...

and featured a canoe base, swimming pool, and lodge hall. The Order of the Arrow Lodge was the "Golden Eagle" Lodge, No. 313. The

(#326) was formed from a merger of the

Covered Wagon Council The Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America offers programs in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The Mid-America Council was formed from a merger of the Covered Wagon Council and the Southwest Iowa Council in 1965. The firs ...

(#326) and the Southwest Iowa Council (#175) in 1965. In 2000 the council merged with the Prairie Gold Area Council (#179) that had been located in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1918, the Keokuk Council was founded, folding in 1919. In 1920, the

Fort Madison Council Scouting in Iowa has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. Early history (1910-1960) The earliest verifiable evidence of Boy Scouts of America inv ...

(#180) was founded, and closed in 1928. In 1917, the Burlington Council (#171) was founded, changing its name to Southeast Iowa Council (#171) in 1929. The Southeast Iowa Council merged into the Mississippi Valley Council (#141) in 1993.

Councils

There are eight BSA local councils serving

Iowa Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the ...

Hawkeye Area Council

The ''Hawkeye Area Council'' serves Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones, Johnson, Linn, and Washington counties within Eastern Iowa. It Currently has two districts, Northern Lights and Southern Prairie.

History

In 1916, the Cedar Rapids Council was founded, folding in 1919. In 1924, the Linn County Council (#172) was founded, changing its name to the Cedar Rapids Area Council (#172) in 1927. In 1941 the council changed its name to the Waubeck Area Council (#172) in 1941. In 1920, the Iowa City Council (#181) was founded, changing its name to the Iowa City Area Council (#181) in 1924. In 1941 the council changed its name to the Iowa River Valley Council (#181) in 1941. In 1952, the Waubeck Area Council (#172) and the Iowa River Valley Council (#181) merged to form the Hawkeye Area Council (#172).

Organization

*Northern Lights District *Southern Prairie District

Camps

* Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation * Camp Wakonda

Order of the Arrow

*Cho-Gun-Mun-A-Nock Lodge

Illowa Council

Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, the ''Illowa Council'' serves Scouts in western

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

and eastern Iowa in the Quad Cities area. Konepaka Ketiwa Lodge #38 (part of Section C-3A) is the Order of the Arrow lodge that serves this council. In 1937, the Mesquakie Area Council (#174) was founded, merging into the Buffalo Bill Area Council (#176) in 1958. In 1915, the Davenport Council (#176) was founded, changing it name to Buffalo Bill Area Council (#176) in 1928. It merged into the Illowa Council (#133) in 1967. * Hoover District * Inali District * Kittan District * Mesquakie District * Saukenuk District

Mid America Council

Headquarterd in Nebraska, the ''Mid-America Council'' offers programs in 58 counties in

Nebraska Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the southwe ...

, Iowa, and South Dakota. The council has several camps, including the Little Sioux Scout Ranch.

Mid-Iowa Council

The ''Mid Iowa Council'' serves the area of the state capital, Des Moines. In 1914 the Ames Council (#169) was formed, changing its name to the Story County Council (#169) in 1923. The council changed its name again in 1930 to the Tall Corn Area Council (#169). In 1924 the Boone County Council (#170) was formed, merging into the Story County Council (#169) in 1926. In 1914 the Des Moines Council (#177) was formed, changing its name to the Polk and Jasper Counties Council (#177) in 1926. In 1927, Polk and Jasper Counties Council (#177) changed its name to the Des Moines Area Council (#177) in 1927. In 1924 the Mahaska-Poweshiek-Jasper Counties Council (#183) was formed, merging into the Des Moines Area Council (#177) in 1926. In 1932, the Des Moines Area Council (#177) and the Tall Corn Area Council (#169) merged to become the Tall Corn Area Council (#177). In 1927 the Newton City Council (#778) was formed, changing its name to the Tri-Valley Council (#778) in 1929. Newton City merged into the Tall Corn Area Council (#177) in 1931. In 1924 the Marshall and Tama Counties Council (#658) was formed, changing its name to the Central Iowa Council (#658) in 1925. In 1942 Central Iowa merged with the Tall Corn Area Council (#177). In 1919 the Ottumwa Council (#194) was formed, changing its name to the Southern Iowa Area Council (#184) in 1928. In 1970, Southern Iowa Area Council (#184) and Tall Corn Area Council (#177) merged to become the

Mid-Iowa Council The Mid Iowa Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America that serves all Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in Central Iowa. This includes the area of the state capital, Des Moines. History In 1914 the Ames Council (#169) was formed ...

(#177).

Mississippi Valley Council

This council is headquartered in

Quincy, Illinois Quincy ( ), known as Illinois's "Gem City", is a city in and the county seat of Adams County, Illinois, United States, located on the Mississippi River. The 2020 census counted a population of 39,463 in the city itself, down from 40,633 in 2010. ...

, and is served by Black Hawk Lodge #67. This council serves Scouts in

and Iowa.

Northeast Iowa Council

The Northeast Iowa Council is headquartered in

Dubuque, IA Dubuque (, ) is the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. At the time of the 2020 census, the population of Dubuque was 59,667. The city lies at the junction of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, a r ...

and serves the counties of Dubuque, Delaware, Clayton, and Allamakee, as well as the cities of East Dubuque and Bellevue. Camp C.S. Klaus is the resident summer camp facility of the Northeast Iowa Council, and is located just west of Colesburg, Iowa. In 1915 the Dubuque Council (#178) was formed, changing its name to the Dubuque Area Council (#178) in 1934. The council changed its name to the Northeast Iowa Council (#178) in 1935. In 1918 the Clinton Council (#174) was formed, changing its name to the Clinton Area Council (#174) in 1927. The Clinton Area Council changed its name to the Macquarie Area Council (#174) in 1937.

Sioux Council

The Sioux Council serves Scouts in

South Dakota South Dakota (; Sioux language, Sioux: , ) is a U.S. state in the West North Central states, North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Lakota people, Lakota and Dakota peo ...

, Iowa and

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

Winnebago Council

The ''Winnebago Council'' (#173) is a council of the Boy Scouts of America. The Winnebago Council serves Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in 17 counties located in North Central Iowa. Including: Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Franklin, Wright, Hancock, Winnebago, Worth, Cerro Gordo, Mitchell, Floyd, Bremer, Chickasaw, Howard, Winneshiek, Fayette, and Buchanan. In 1918, the

Jesup Council The Winnebago Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America (#173). The Winnebago Council serves Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in 17 counties located in North Central Iowa. Including: Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Frank ...

was founded, folding that same year. In 1918, the

Oelwein Council The Winnebago Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America (#173). The Winnebago Council serves Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in 17 counties located in North Central Iowa. Including: Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Frank ...

was founded, folding that same year. In 1918, the

Charles City Council The Winnebago Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America (#173). The Winnebago Council serves Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in 17 counties located in North Central Iowa. Including: Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Frank ...

was founded, folding in 1920. In 1922, the

Cedar Falls Council The Winnebago Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America (#173). The Winnebago Council serves Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in 17 counties located in North Central Iowa. Including: Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Frank ...

was founded, folding in 1924. In 1920, the

Waterloo Council The Winnebago Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America (#173). The Winnebago Council serves Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in 17 counties located in North Central Iowa. Including: Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Frank ...

(#186) was founded, changing its name in Wapsipinicon Area Council (#186) in 1929. The council merged into the Winnebago Council (#173) in 1973. In 1918, the

Mason City Council The Winnebago Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America (#173). The Winnebago Council serves Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in 17 counties located in North Central Iowa. Including: Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Frank ...

(#173) was founded, changing its name in

Cerro Gordo County Council The Winnebago Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America (#173). The Winnebago Council serves Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in 17 counties located in North Central Iowa. Including: Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Frank ...

(#173) in 1922, and changing its name again to the North Iowa Council (#173) in 1928. The council changed its name in 1939 to the

Winnebago Council The Winnebago Council is a council of the Boy Scouts of America (#173). The Winnebago Council serves Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, adult volunteers and Venturers in 17 counties located in North Central Iowa. Including: Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Frank ...

(#173).

Girl Scouting in Iowa

There are two

Girl Scout Girl Guides (known as Girl Scouts in the United States and some other countries) is a worldwide movement, originally and largely still designed for girls and women only. The movement began in 1909 when girls requested to join the then-grassroot ...

councils in Iowa, realigned from nine former councils.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois

As part of a national realignment the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois formed in April 2007 by combining four former councils. It serves some 20,000 girls. ;Council headquarters:

Rock Island, Illinois Rock Island is a city in and the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The original Rock Island, from which the city name is derived, is now called Rock Island Arsenal, Arsenal Island. The popul ...

;Service centers:

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cedar Rapids () is the second-largest city in Iowa, United States and is the county seat of Linn County, Iowa, Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River (Iowa River), Cedar River, north of Iowa City, Iowa, Iowa City and north ...

, Dubuque, Iowa,

Waterloo, Iowa Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census the population was 67,314, making it the eighth-largest city in the state. The city is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls ...

, and West Burlington, Iowa. ;History The former councils are: *Conestoga Council of Girl Scouts
Waterloo, Iowa *Girl Scouts of Little Cloud Council, Inc.
Dubuque, Iowa *Girl Scouts of Mississippi Valley
Rock Island, Illinois and Cedar Rapids, Iowa *Girl Scouts of Shining Trail Council, Inc.
West Burlington, Iowa ;Camps The council has three camps: *Camp Liberty (formerly Camp Conestoga) is in

New Liberty, Iowa New Liberty is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 138 at the time of the 2020 census. Geography New Liberty is located at (41.717125, −90.879327). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a tot ...

. It was established in 1947. *Camp Little Cloud is in

Epworth, Iowa Epworth is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,023 at the 2020 census, up from 1,428 in 2000. History Epworth was platted in 1855. It was named from ...

. *Camp L-Kee-Ta established in 1945 is in

Danville, Iowa Danville is a city in Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 927 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Burlington, IA– IL Micropolitan Statistical Area. History Danville was founded in 1854. Geography Dan ...

*Camp Tahigwa was in Dorchester in

Allamakee County, Iowa Allamakee County () is the northeasternmost county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,061. Its county seat is Waukon. History Allamakee County was formed on February 20, 1847. The derivation of the name is ...

and had . Tahigwa was established in 1967. This camp was sold in 2017. Currently, Camp Liberty is the designated resident camp program for girls throughout eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Camp Little Cloud and Camp L-Kee-Ta are used by troops and groups for events and both day and overnight outdoor adventures.

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa covers 74 counties including 71 in central and western Iowa, one county in Nebraska, and one and one-half counties in South Dakota. As part of the national realignment, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa was created in October 2007 from the merger of five councils. ;Headquarters:

Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines () is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small part of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, ...

;Service centers:

, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mason City, Iowa, and Sioux City, Iowa. ;History The five former councils are: *Girl Scouts of Lakota Council

Fort Dodge, Iowa Fort Dodge is a city in, and the county seat of, Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 24,871 in the 2020 census, a decrease from 25,136 in 2000. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Ce ...

*Moingona Girl Scout Council
Des Moines, Iowa *Nishnabotna Girl Scout Council of Southwest Iowa, Inc.
Council Bluffs, Iowa *Girl Scout Council of North Iowa
Mason City, Iowa *Sioux Trails Girl Scout Council
Sioux City, Iowa ;Camps The council operates five residence camps. *Camp Sacajawea is over in Boone, Iowa. *Camp Tanglefoot is in Clear Lake, Iowa. *Camp Joy Hollow is in

Westfield, Iowa Westfield is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 123 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the westernmost point in Iowa, this being due to a bend in the Big Sioux River. The nearby Broken Kettle wildlife refuge is ...

. ;Former camps :* Camp Lakota In the 1970s the Caravan Trails Girl Scout Council owned Camp Strother in Eldon, Iowa.

References

External links

Hawkeye Area Council

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois GSEIWI
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scouting In Iowa Youth organizations based in Iowa

Central Region (Boy Scouts of America)