Blue Ridge Mountains Council
Encyclopedia
The Blue Ridge Mountains Council is a Boy Scouts of America
council located in Roanoke, Virginia
that serves Scouts in southwest and south central Virginia
. The Blue Ridge Mountains Council owns and operates the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in Pulaski County, Virginia
. The local Order of the Arrow
lodge is the Tutelo Lodge.
. The council has over 470 units sponsored by over 300 community organizations. BRMC is divided into eight districts:
course offered by the council. The NYLT course develops Scouts into trained troop leaders, by focusing on the concepts of what a leader must be, what he must know, and what he must do. Scouts are divided into patrols and participate in the Quest for the Meaning of Leadership. Participants experience presentations, activities and patrol competitions. Foxfire is a provisional program where participants must be 13 years old and First Class by the beginning of the Program to participate
on a 17500 acres (70.8 km²) property, almost 8% of the total county area. The reservation consists of Camp Powhatan, and Camp Ottari, with a network of over 100 miles (160.9 km) of mountainous trails crossing the land between the two base camps. It is the largest council-owned Scout Reservation in the United States and provides summer camping experiences to about 10,000 participants each summer.
near Radford, Virginia
, the Union Army pushed farther south. One company stopped for the night on a tract of land on what is now the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. One of the soldiers who worked for a Philadelphia iron works discovered that the rocks there contained a great deal of iron ore. After the war was over, the employee interested his firm, R.D. Wood and Sons, in the land. The company purchased the tract to establish iron mining there. By 1885, it was a thriving operation. By 1905, it was inactive. It was during this time that the Iron Furnace was built, which would later became the emblematic structure on the Reservation. When the last member of the original family, Walter Wood, died in 1934, he willed the land to Radford College, now Radford University
"to be used to the best possible advantage." Radford College chose to sell the land in order to fund a concert organ for its music program. The Virginia General Assembly
authorized the sale. The Blue Ridge Mountains Council put in the successful bid of $56,100 and acquired the 15000 acres (60.7 km²) tract, plus two farms with 216 acre (0.87412176 km²) combined.
In 1949, the Blue Ridge Mountains Council established a camp on 400 acres (1.6 km²) on Macks Creek in Pulaski County. Buildings were constructed along Macks Creek and an earthen dam was built to form a 7 acres (28,328 m²) lake for swimming. The site was called "New" Camp Powhatan, referring to the council's "Old" Camp Powhatan located near the Jefferson National Forest. The other base camp, Camp Ottari, was opened in the summer of 1962. After occupying a site leased by the Appalachian Power Company for over 10 years, the Claytor Lake Adventure Base was established in the summer of 2008.
Camp Ottari is situated between Bench Mountain and North Ridge. The camp encompasses rugged, mountainous terrain, and a large lake, allowing it to boast incredible vistas, and mild mountain weather. Merit badge instruction is offered in Nature, Handicraft, Scoutcraft, Aquatics, and Shooting Sports. Because of its larger lake, the camp offers Small Boat Sailing through the Ottari Marina. Camp Ottari provides Adult Leader Training in its state-of-the-art training center, and features the Little Laurel Woodshop, where Scoutmasters can use traditional hand tools to create woodworking projects to take home or leave as a permanent reminder of their Troop's time at camp — a popular tradition at Camp Ottari. The Camp is known for its vistas, evening programs, and 837 feet (255.1 m) Zip-line
.
. At the base, Scouts spend the week motor boating, large boat sailing, small boat sailing, water skiing
, kayaking
, snorkeling
, rowing
, and wakeboarding
. The program offers Scouts the opportunity to participate in an overnighter on a large sailing vessel, where they’ll depart the base, drop anchor, and spend the night out on the lake. Scouts who are age 14 and older can choose to focus on scuba diving
, where they’ll earn a PADI
scuba certification during the week. The Base also offers a wakeboarding
school, for Scouts interested in honing their skills in wakeboarding. The Claytor Lake Adventure Base is renowned for its impressive facilities, progressive programs, and excellent food. It is a provisional program, offering leadership for Scouts aged 13 and older.
Claytor Lake Adventure Base
The High Knoll Trail is a backpacking
program encompassing a network of over 100 miles (160.9 km) of mountainous trails that span the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. It is based out of Camp Ottari. Crews hike during the day, and make camp at one of a series of outposts in the evening.
Backpackers must be 13 years old and 1st class by June First to participate in High Knoll.
program designed to satisfy the demands of older Scouts. It is based out of Camp Powhatan on the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. The program utilizes a nationally accredited C.O.P.E. course featuring a Giant's Ladder, Sky Walk, Zip-line, and a 60' climbing tower, amongst other features. During the week, participants take a trip whitewater rafting on Class I-V rapids on the New River Gorge National River
, one of the most popular whitewater rivers in eastern North America. While in the New River Gorge, participants may also take part in natural rock climbing at several sites, including Endless Wall, an international rock-climbing destination. During the week, Scouts can also participate in spelunking in the area’s limestone caves, whitewater canoeing
, and mountaineering
. The New River Adventure is a provisional program, which provides leadership for Scouts at least 13 years old by January 1.
program, in which participants embark on a five-day, 50 miles (80.5 km) canoe trip on the New River. Throughout the program, Scouts learn about the French Canadian Voyageurs that forged the first paths in the New World. During the trek, Scouts hone paddling skills, learn to read whitewater, fish the waters of the New River, and go whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge. The Voyageur trek is a provisional program, and Scouts must be 13 years old by January 1 to participate.
and fly-fishing. Throughout the week, area anglers instruct Scouts about the environment and biology that influences fish behavior. Participants fish in the lakes and rivers on, and surrounding, the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. This program is renowned for its float trip on the New River, and fly-fishing trip beneath the waterfalls of the Cascades. Fish Camp is a provisional program, offering leadership for Scouts aged 13 years and older.
Fish Camp
Mountain Man is a provisional program located in the Laurel Hollow on the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. Daniel Boone
's Wilderness Road
is located several miles from the encampment. Participants experience Appalachian Virginia by learning the skills of the 18th century woodsmen that settled in the area. Scouts dress in period clothing and participate in shooting muzzle-loading black powder rifles, building fires using flint and steel, blacksmithing, leather working, throwing tomahawks and knives, cooking, and wilderness survival. The Mountain Man program is popular for its Tavern Night at the Whippoorwill Commissary, which serves ice-cold root beer on tap and frequently features live mountain music. Mountain Man is a provisional program, offering leadership to Scouts aged 13 and older.
is represented by Tutelo Lodge. It supports the Scouting programs of the council through leadership, camping, and service. Within the Southern Region Section 7A, Tutelo Lodge has won the Quest for the Golden Arrow (the section's athletic trophy presented at Conclave) for 12 straight years.
Boy 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...
council located in Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
that serves Scouts in southwest and south central Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The Blue Ridge Mountains Council owns and operates the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in Pulaski County, Virginia
Pulaski County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,127 people, 14,643 households, and 10,147 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 16,325 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile...
. The local Order of the Arrow
Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America . It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the...
lodge is the Tutelo Lodge.
Organization
The council is part of Area 7 of the Southern Region of the BSA. The council service center is in Roanoke, VirginiaRoanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
. The council has over 470 units sponsored by over 300 community organizations. BRMC is divided into eight districts:
- Big Lick District
- Catawba District
- Dan River District
- Mountain Empire District
- New River District
- Patrick Henry District
- Piedmont District
- V-Da-Li District
Program and activities
Foxfire is the name of the National Youth Leadership TrainingNational Youth Leadership Training
National Youth Leadership Training is the current incarnation of youth leadership development training offered by the Boy Scouts of America . The program is conducted at the council level over a week or over two weekends. It is intended to provide standardized, in-depth training covering a number...
course offered by the council. The NYLT course develops Scouts into trained troop leaders, by focusing on the concepts of what a leader must be, what he must know, and what he must do. Scouts are divided into patrols and participate in the Quest for the Meaning of Leadership. Participants experience presentations, activities and patrol competitions. Foxfire is a provisional program where participants must be 13 years old and First Class by the beginning of the Program to participate
Blue Ridge Scout Reservation
Blue Ridge Scout Reservation is located in Pulaski County, VirginiaPulaski County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,127 people, 14,643 households, and 10,147 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 16,325 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile...
on a 17500 acres (70.8 km²) property, almost 8% of the total county area. The reservation consists of Camp Powhatan, and Camp Ottari, with a network of over 100 miles (160.9 km) of mountainous trails crossing the land between the two base camps. It is the largest council-owned Scout Reservation in the United States and provides summer camping experiences to about 10,000 participants each summer.
History
After the Civil War's Battle of Cloyd's MountainBattle of Cloyd's Mountain
The Battle of Cloyd's Mountain was a Union victory in western Virginia in 1864 that allowed the Union forces to destroy the last railroad connecting Tennessee to Virginia.-Background:...
near Radford, Virginia
Radford, Virginia
Radford is a city in Virginia, United States. The population was 16,408 in 2010. For statistical purposes, the Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Radford with neighboring Montgomery County, including the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, calling the combination the...
, the Union Army pushed farther south. One company stopped for the night on a tract of land on what is now the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. One of the soldiers who worked for a Philadelphia iron works discovered that the rocks there contained a great deal of iron ore. After the war was over, the employee interested his firm, R.D. Wood and Sons, in the land. The company purchased the tract to establish iron mining there. By 1885, it was a thriving operation. By 1905, it was inactive. It was during this time that the Iron Furnace was built, which would later became the emblematic structure on the Reservation. When the last member of the original family, Walter Wood, died in 1934, he willed the land to Radford College, now Radford University
Radford University
Radford University is one of Virginia's eight doctoral-degree granting public universities. Originally founded in 1910, Radford offers comprehensive curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, and graduate programs including the M.F.A., M.B.A...
"to be used to the best possible advantage." Radford College chose to sell the land in order to fund a concert organ for its music program. The Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
authorized the sale. The Blue Ridge Mountains Council put in the successful bid of $56,100 and acquired the 15000 acres (60.7 km²) tract, plus two farms with 216 acre (0.87412176 km²) combined.
In 1949, the Blue Ridge Mountains Council established a camp on 400 acres (1.6 km²) on Macks Creek in Pulaski County. Buildings were constructed along Macks Creek and an earthen dam was built to form a 7 acres (28,328 m²) lake for swimming. The site was called "New" Camp Powhatan, referring to the council's "Old" Camp Powhatan located near the Jefferson National Forest. The other base camp, Camp Ottari, was opened in the summer of 1962. After occupying a site leased by the Appalachian Power Company for over 10 years, the Claytor Lake Adventure Base was established in the summer of 2008.
Camps Powhatan and Ottari
Camp Powhatan is positioned under the Jersey Ridge on the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. Camp Powhatan extends a big-camp experience, as it is the largest council-owned Scout camp in the United States. The Camp offers over 30 areas of learning, providing Merit Badge instruction in Aquatics, Scoutcraft, Handicraft, Shooting Sports and Nature. Camp Powhatan also provides Adult Leader Training. A 60' Climbing tower on Jersey Ridge, and Blob on Lake Powhatan offer high adventure activities for Scouts. Camp Powhatan is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities, including its Dining Hall, Nature Center, Scoutmaster Lounge, Health Office, and Trading Post.Zip-line
A zip-line consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline...
.
Claytor Lake Adventure Base
The Claytor Lake Adventure Base is an aquatics base, which opened in the summer of 2008 making it the newest camp on the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. It is situated on the 4500 acres (18.2 km²) Claytor LakeClaytor Lake
Claytor Lake in Pulaski County, Virginia, is a 4,500 acre , 21 mile long reservoir on the New River created for a hydroelectric project of Appalachian Power Company. It is named for W...
. At the base, Scouts spend the week motor boating, large boat sailing, small boat sailing, water skiing
Water skiing
thumb|right|A slalom skier making a turn on a slalom waterski.Waterskiing is a sport where an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation on a body of water, skimming the surface.-History:...
, kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
, snorkeling
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
, rowing
Watercraft rowing
Watercraft rowing is the act of propelling a boat using the motion of oars in the water. The difference between paddling and rowing is that with rowing the oars have a mechanical connection with the boat whereas with paddling the paddles are hand-held with no mechanical connection.This article...
, and wakeboarding
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing techniques....
. The program offers Scouts the opportunity to participate in an overnighter on a large sailing vessel, where they’ll depart the base, drop anchor, and spend the night out on the lake. Scouts who are age 14 and older can choose to focus on scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
, where they’ll earn a PADI
Padi
Padi or PADI may refer to:* Padi, Chennai, India* Padi , a musical group* Paddy field, a type of cultivated land * Professional Association of Diving Instructors, a scuba organization...
scuba certification during the week. The Base also offers a wakeboarding
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing techniques....
school, for Scouts interested in honing their skills in wakeboarding. The Claytor Lake Adventure Base is renowned for its impressive facilities, progressive programs, and excellent food. It is a provisional program, offering leadership for Scouts aged 13 and older.
Claytor Lake Adventure Base
High Knoll
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
program encompassing a network of over 100 miles (160.9 km) of mountainous trails that span the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. It is based out of Camp Ottari. Crews hike during the day, and make camp at one of a series of outposts in the evening.
Backpackers must be 13 years old and 1st class by June First to participate in High Knoll.
- Huff Farm — offers experience on a working horse ranch. Scouts learn skills in roping and horsemanship. A trail ride is offered, and a Chili dinner is served in the evening.
- Rendezvous — Participants learn to use a black powder rifle, throw tomahawks and knives, and develop skills that enabled settlers to survive the frontier of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Wild Goose — Participants learn basic skills and gain experience in MountainboardingMountainboardingMountainboarding, also known as Dirtboarding, Offroad Boarding, Grass Boarding, and All-Terrain Boarding , is a well established if little-known extreme sport, derived from snowboarding...
. - Point Camp — offers boulderingBoulderingBouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas...
, rock climbingRock climbingRock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
, and rappelling on a natural rock face.
New River Adventure
The New River Adventure is a high adventureHigh adventure
High adventure is a type of outdoor experience. It typically is meant to include activities like backpacking, hiking, kayaking or canoeing. It may also include mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, orienteering, hang gliding, paragliding and hot air ballooning.-High adventure in...
program designed to satisfy the demands of older Scouts. It is based out of Camp Powhatan on the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. The program utilizes a nationally accredited C.O.P.E. course featuring a Giant's Ladder, Sky Walk, Zip-line, and a 60' climbing tower, amongst other features. During the week, participants take a trip whitewater rafting on Class I-V rapids on the New River Gorge National River
New River Gorge National River
The New River Gorge National River is a unit of the United States National Park Service designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. Established in 1978, the NPS-protected area stretches for from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted.New...
, one of the most popular whitewater rivers in eastern North America. While in the New River Gorge, participants may also take part in natural rock climbing at several sites, including Endless Wall, an international rock-climbing destination. During the week, Scouts can also participate in spelunking in the area’s limestone caves, whitewater canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, and mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...
. The New River Adventure is a provisional program, which provides leadership for Scouts at least 13 years old by January 1.
Voyageur Trek
The Voyageur Trekis a canoeingCanoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
program, in which participants embark on a five-day, 50 miles (80.5 km) canoe trip on the New River. Throughout the program, Scouts learn about the French Canadian Voyageurs that forged the first paths in the New World. During the trek, Scouts hone paddling skills, learn to read whitewater, fish the waters of the New River, and go whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge. The Voyageur trek is a provisional program, and Scouts must be 13 years old by January 1 to participate.
Fish Camp
Fish Campis a provisional program based out of Camp Ottari which instructs Scouts in the skills of fishingFishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and fly-fishing. Throughout the week, area anglers instruct Scouts about the environment and biology that influences fish behavior. Participants fish in the lakes and rivers on, and surrounding, the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. This program is renowned for its float trip on the New River, and fly-fishing trip beneath the waterfalls of the Cascades. Fish Camp is a provisional program, offering leadership for Scouts aged 13 years and older.
Fish Camp
Mountain Man
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
's Wilderness Road
Wilderness Road
The Wilderness Road was the principal route used by settlers for more than fifty years to reach Kentucky from the East. In 1775, Daniel Boone blazed a trail for the Transylvania Company from Fort Chiswell in Virginia through the Cumberland Gap into central Kentucky. It was later lengthened,...
is located several miles from the encampment. Participants experience Appalachian Virginia by learning the skills of the 18th century woodsmen that settled in the area. Scouts dress in period clothing and participate in shooting muzzle-loading black powder rifles, building fires using flint and steel, blacksmithing, leather working, throwing tomahawks and knives, cooking, and wilderness survival. The Mountain Man program is popular for its Tavern Night at the Whippoorwill Commissary, which serves ice-cold root beer on tap and frequently features live mountain music. Mountain Man is a provisional program, offering leadership to Scouts aged 13 and older.
Brownsea Island
The Brownsea Island Adventure is a summer camp program designed to help younger Scouts learn the patrol method, and develop basic Scout skills. It is offered at both base camps Powhatan and Ottari. Scouts are divided into groups of 8-10 boys, and paired with a Life or Eagle Scout who serves as their guide. Participants learn the essential skills of Scouting, and complete many of the requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class through interactive lessons, daily competitions, and an overnighter.Tutelo Lodge
The Order of the ArrowOrder of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America . It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the...
is represented by Tutelo Lodge. It supports the Scouting programs of the council through leadership, camping, and service. Within the Southern Region Section 7A, Tutelo Lodge has won the Quest for the Golden Arrow (the section's athletic trophy presented at Conclave) for 12 straight years.