Scouting and Guiding in Alabama

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Revision as of 17:28, 7 January 2018 by MainTour (talk | contribs) (→‎High Adventure Bases: Cheaha State Park)
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Scouting in Alabama 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 (1910-1950)

Until 1948, some southern councils of the Boy Scouts of America were racially segregated. Colored Troops, as they were officially known, were given little support from Districts and Councils. Some Scouting executives and leaders believed that Colored Scouts and Leaders would be less able to live up to the ideals of the Boy Scouts. The National Office began a program of integrating local councils in 1940, which was largely complete in 1948.

Recent history (1950-1990)

Boy Scouting in Alabama

In the 1990s, the Boy Scouts of America went through a restructuring in an attempt to reduce manpower, and in several states small historic Councils were merged into a larger supercouncil. The new Greater Alabama Council is an example of such a supercouncil.

There are eight BSA local councils serving Scouts in Alabama today.

Girl Scouting in Alabama

There are six Girl Scout council offices in Alabama.

Scouting Activities


Traditional Boy Scout Camps

Traditional summer camps feature a week long scouting adventure, educational, camping and merit badge program. They are usually available for youth group and family camping the rest of the year

  1. Camp Alaflo - (Alabama-Florida Council) primary summer camp facility located in Coffee County. Over 600 acres of rolling hills, tall pines, two aquatics lakes and true southern hospitality.
  • Camp Arrowhead - CLOSED - operated from the early 1940's to 1971 and was located on the Coosa River near Clanton, AL.
  • Camp Horne - Located in east Tuscaloosa County, Camp Horne is a 496-acre facility.
  • Camp Jackson - a 515-acre primitive camp located 5 miles east of Scottsboro on the Tennessee River at Jones Cove.
  • Camp McKenzie - In 2006, when the Birmingham Area Council Boy Scouts was dissolved, Camp McKenzie became a interdenominational Christian camp named Camp Winnataska.
  • Camp O'Rear - a 90-acre primitive-style facility located in Jasper, AL.
  • Camp Pushmataha - is the council's weekend primitive facility, and was at one time the Council Camp. It is located in Citronelle, AL.
  • Camp Zinn - in Dekalb County, operated from 1931 to 1965. On September 8, 1966 meeting, the Official Board of Camp Lee,a United Methodist Church organization, purchase the camp from the Choccolocco Council, and renamed it Camp Lee.
  • Frank Spain Scout Reservation - Also called Camp Sequoyah, a 1,447 acres camp in east central Alabama, near Cheaha State Park.
  • Hugh M Comer Scout Reservation
  • Maubila Scout Reservations
  • Warner Scout Reservation
  • Camp Westmoreland - closed

Recreational Camps

  1. Camp Jack Wright ( GAC) - located in the Roupes Valley, adjacent to Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park.

High Adventure Bases

  1. Cheaha State Park, Highest Point in Alabama, is a 2719 mountain-top wilderness preserve. Facilities include a 30-unit resort inn, restaurant, vacation cottages, chalets, modern campground, picnic areas, biking trails, hiking trails and lots of beautiful scenery. One of the most popular destinations in the state park system. Trailhead to many of the best state hiking trails.
  2. White Bluff Scout Reservation ( BWC) - primitive boy scout base camp for Black Warrior River water treks.

State Landmarks and Museums

  1. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park directly adjacent to Camp Jack Wright: With more than 1,500 acres in three counties set aside for hiking, camping and outdoor recreation. A miniature railroad chugs through the pines. From spring through fall, the blacksmith, miller and craftsmen demonstrate their trades. Craft shops occupy restored pioneer cabins and artisans chat with visitors from their front porches. Steeped in history, Tannehill feels timeless. The cotton gin, pioneer farm and working gristmill preserve a long-gone way of life. Hiking trails retrace historic roadways. Artifacts of Alabama’s 19th century iron industry displayed in the Iron and Steel Museum put in perspective the massive stone furnaces, Tannehill’s awe-inspiring centerpiece. Alabama State Parks
  2. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park (BB-60) - this mighty World War II battleship is today a floating museum hosting many scouting events and groups.

Historic Adventure Trails

  1. Pinhoti National Recreation Trail - Alabama-Georgia Hiking Adventure on a long-distance trail, 335 miles long, it is the longest trail for both states with many scenic landmarks.