Greater New York Councils

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Greater New York Councils

The Greater New York Councils (GNYC) has a unique organization in that it is sub-divided into boroughs led by a borough executive. The council operates camps at three locations: Alpine Scout Camp, William H. Pouch Scout Camp, and Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp.

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Bronx Borough

• Bronx River District (as of 2007-2008)

Formerly:

• Eastern District
• New Horizon District

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Brooklyn Borough

• Breukelen District
• Lenape Bay District

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Manhattan Borough

• Big Apple District

Queens Borough

• Founders District
• Pathfinder District
• Tomahawk District

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Staten Island Borough

• Aquehonga District

Order of the Arrow – Aquehongian Lodge 112

Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp

Ten Mile River Scout Camps (TMR) is a 12,000-acre (4,856 ha) camp near Narrowsburg, New York, owned and operated by the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) since 1928. It is the principal Boy Scout camp serving New York City. In recent years, TMR is also now increasingly used by other councils in New York state. Over the years, prominent Americans have been instrumental in its history, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and New York mayor William O'Dwyer.

History

Ten Mile River Scout Camp was founded as the result of efforts by the New York City Boy Scout Foundation beginning in 1924 to develop a camp large enough to accommodate the burgeoning growth of Scouting in the New York metropolitan area during the 1920s, with a goal of providing camping for 3,500 Scouts at a time. Led by future New York governor and President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), who was president of the New York City Boy Scout Foundation, the group selected TMR's present site, oversaw the land acquisition process from multiple owners, and raised funds for the large camp's development.

In recognition of his pivotal role in the founding and development of TMR, then–Governor Roosevelt received Scouting's Silver Buffalo Award in a ceremony held at the camp on August 231930. Later, as recently elected president of the U.S., FDR returned again to the camp in the summer of 1933 to be inducted into the Order of the Arrow. By the summer of 1936, 10,000 boys were attending the camp each summer, the New York Times reported.

In 1952, a Manhattan Boy Scout was recognized as the 250,000^th Scout to attend TMR and given a special award by FDR's widow, Eleanor Roosevelt. At its peak in 1965, Ten Mile River operated eleven camps with a peak usage of nearly 12,000 boys. Following a decline in the 1970s, five of TMR's eleven camps closed. By the late 1990s, attendance had rebounded to 6,000 scouts.

Currently

Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp is heavily wooded with hills overlooking the Delaware River. It has a number of lakes, including Half Moon, Crystal, Nianque, Kunatah, and Rock. In addition to specialty programs such as scuba, high-adventure hiking and overnight canoeing/camping on the Delaware, and the Catskill Adventure Base, TMR has three main summer camp areas, each offering different programs and activities:

• Camp Aquehonga on Half Moon Lake, with traditional Scout camping including patrol cooking, along with an olympic-sized swimming pool.
• Camp Keowa on Crystal Lake, offers water activities such as canoeing, sailing and waterskiing, with meals served dining hall-style.
• Camp Kunatah, Closed 2007.
• Camp Ranachqua on Lake Nianque, with meals served dining hall-style. It is the principal Boy Scout camp serving the Hudson Valley Council. The camp operates for six weeks each summer. Food is served family style, in the Dining Hall. Camp Ranachqua is served by a professional chef who is assisted by several foreign exchange workers. The relatively small staff is made up of paid youths and adults as well as several volunteers. Troops stay in campsites equipped with tents and lean-tos, with running water and latrines. A well-maintained Health Lodge takes care of sick or injured Scouts. A trading post supplies Scouts with needed supplies and snacks. In addition to the normal complement of merit badges and classes, Ranachqua also teaches valuable leadership to boys. Features include:

• Nature. The Nature Lodge is one of the oldest structures on the reservation, where fifteen merit badges are taught, as well as Leave No Trace, nature hikes, and astronomy observations.
• Waterfront, located on Lake Nianque offers swimming, canoes, rowboats, small boat sailing, and BSA Lifeguard training. Also offered is Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat for leaders.
• Scout Skills, teaches Scouts essential knowledge such as first aid, pioneering, orienteering, cooking, and wilderness survival. On each Wednesday Ranachqua holds its Cooking Mega Event, in which Scoutmasters may compete in an Iron Chef-style competition.
• Handicrafts offers leatherwork, basketry, wood Carving, and Indian lore, particularly popular with younger and first year Scouts.
• Climbing Tower. For those Scouts 13 years old and older, the Climbing Tower provides a safe and fun challenge. Climb on Safely is also taught for leaders who would like to plan their own climbing trips.
• Shooting Sports, offers rifle, shotgun, and archery merit badges at two fully equipped ranges.
• Sports. Scouts are taught the Eagle-required Personal Fitness merit badge.

External links

• Official website