Stonewall Jackson Area Council
Encyclopedia
The Stonewall Jackson Area Council (SJAC) is the local council of the Boy Scouts of America
(BSA) that serves Scouts in areas of the Shenandoah Valley
in Virginia
and West Virginia
and areas of central Virginia.
of Clifton Forge, Virginia
in 1926 as the Stonewall Jackson Council. The council is named after General Stonewall Jackson
, one of the most famous residents of the area. In 1928, the Lewis & Clark Council in the Charlottesville area failed and merged into the Stonewall Jackson Council. The first Scout executive was J.W. Fix who served from 1927 to 1950. Fix had joined Scouting as a youth in 1911 and was an Eagle Scout.
and employs seven paid professional Scouters and an office staff. SJAC is divided into four districts:
. The event is for Venturers
and senior Boy Scouts and offers pistol, rifle, shotgun, black powder and archery.
and moved to its present site near Swoope, Virginia in 1950. With expansions in 1999, the camp property is now 454 acres (1.8 km²) located on the eastern slope of Little North Mountain. The west side of the camp borders on the George Washington National Forest
and north, east and south sides bordering on agricultural areas of Swoope. A hunter access road runs through the camp. Three creeks run through the camp, supplying the small man-made Hope Lake. A portion of the new property on the north side has been placed into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
and is being restored from an agricultural to a natural state.
The camp is primarily used by units within the council, but is available to other Scouting units and youth groups and is used year-round.
The camp has 14 tent camp sites, each with running water and a latrine and most with a small pavilion. Unimproved areas are available for outpost camping.
The Colonel Morris T. Warner, Jr. Rifle Range, the shotgun range and the archery range are located on OA Ridge; a separate black powder range can be set up as needed. The COPE
area has a climbing tower and has high and low ropes courses set up during summer camp. The waterfront has a swim area, canoes and rowboats.
in the areas of Scoutcraft
, handicraft, aquatics, nature and shooting sports. Other programs include Project COPE
, hikes to Elliott Knob
and a high adventure program. Scout leaders can take supplemental training in aquatics and boating safety and in CPR. New Scouts can participate in programs designed to help work towards First Class Scout.
ultramarathon since 2008.
is represented by the Shenandoah Lodge. It supports the Scouting programs of the Stonewall Jackson Area Council through leadership, camping, and service. The lodge is organized as four chapters:
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...
(BSA) that serves Scouts in areas of the Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley is both a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians , to the north by the Potomac River...
in 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...
and West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
and areas of central Virginia.
History
The council was organized by the KiwanisKiwanis
Kiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current membership is 240,000 members in 7,700 clubs in 80 nations...
of Clifton Forge, Virginia
Clifton Forge, Virginia
Clifton Forge is a town in Alleghany County, Virginia, United States which is part of the Roanoke Region. The population was 3,884 at the 2010 census. The Jackson River flows through the town, which as a result was once known as Jackson's River Station....
in 1926 as the Stonewall Jackson Council. The council is named after General Stonewall Jackson
Stonewall Jackson
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, one of the most famous residents of the area. In 1928, the Lewis & Clark Council in the Charlottesville area failed and merged into the Stonewall Jackson Council. The first Scout executive was J.W. Fix who served from 1927 to 1950. Fix had joined Scouting as a youth in 1911 and was an Eagle Scout.
Organization
The council is part of Area 7 of the Southern Region of the BSA. The council service center is in Waynesboro, VirginiaWaynesboro, Virginia
Waynesboro, deriving its name from General Anthony Wayne, is an independent city surrounded by Augusta County in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 21,006 in 2010.....
and employs seven paid professional Scouters and an office staff. SJAC is divided into four districts:
- Massanutten District: HarrisonburgHarrisonburg, VirginiaHarrisonburg is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia in the United States. Its population as of 2010 is 48,914, and at the 2000 census, 40,468. Harrisonburg is the county seat of Rockingham County and the core city of the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical...
; RockinghamRockingham County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 67,725 people, 25,355 households, and 18,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 27,328 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
and PendletonPendleton County, West VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 8,196 people, 3,350 households, and 2,355 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile . There were 5,102 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile...
counties
- Monticello District: CharlottesvilleCharlottesville, VirginiaCharlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
; AlbemarleAlbemarle County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 79,236 people, 31,876 households, and 21,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 33,720 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile...
, FluvannaFluvanna County, VirginiaAs of 2002, Fluvanna County's population was 20,047. There are 7,387 households, and 5,702 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile . There were 8,018 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
, GreeneGreene County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there are 15,244 people, 5,574 households, and 4,291 families residing in the county. The population density is 97 people per square mile . There are 5,986 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
, LouisaLouisa County, VirginiaLouisa County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 33,153. The county seat is Louisa.- History :...
, MadisonMadison County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 12,520 people, 4,739 households, and 3,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 5,239 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
and OrangeOrange County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 25,881 people, 10,150 households, and 7,470 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 11,354 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
counties
- Southern District: Buena VistaBuena Vista, VirginiaBuena Vista is an independent city located within the confines of Rockbridge County, Virginia. The population was 6,650 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Buena Vista with Rockbridge county for statistical purposes.-Geography:Buena Vista is located at...
, CovingtonCovington, VirginiaCovington is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia, located at the confluence of Jackson River and Dunlap Creek. It is in Alleghany County where it is also the county seat. The population was 5,961 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Covington with Alleghany...
, Clifton ForgeClifton Forge, VirginiaClifton Forge is a town in Alleghany County, Virginia, United States which is part of the Roanoke Region. The population was 3,884 at the 2010 census. The Jackson River flows through the town, which as a result was once known as Jackson's River Station....
, LexingtonLexington, VirginiaLexington is an independent city within the confines of Rockbridge County in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 7,042 in 2010. Lexington is about 55 minutes east of the West Virginia border and is about 50 miles north of Roanoke, Virginia. It was first settled in 1777.It is home to...
; AlleghanyAlleghany County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 12,926 people, 5,149 households, and 3,866 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 5,812 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, BathBath County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 5,048 people, 2,053 households, and 1,451 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 2,896 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile...
and RockbridgeRockbridge County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 20,808 people, 8,486 households, and 6,075 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile . There were 9,550 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
counties
- Valley District: StauntonStaunton, VirginiaStaunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
, WaynesboroWaynesboro, VirginiaWaynesboro, deriving its name from General Anthony Wayne, is an independent city surrounded by Augusta County in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 21,006 in 2010.....
; AugustaAugusta County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
and HighlandHighland County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 2,536 people, 1,131 households, and 764 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile . There were 1,822 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile...
counties
Programs and activities
Since 2006, the council has hosted the annual Venturing Shootaround in partnership with the National Rifle AssociationNational Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
. The event is for Venturers
Venturing (Boy Scouts of America)
Venturing is part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America for young adults, men and women, from the age of 14 years old or 13 years old and completed eighth grade through 21....
and senior Boy Scouts and offers pistol, rifle, shotgun, black powder and archery.
Camp Shenandoah
Camp Shenandoah was first established in 1930 near McGaheysville, VirginiaMcGaheysville, Virginia
McGaheysville is an unincorporated community located in Rockingham County, in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is located along U.S. Route 33 between Penn Laird and Elkton, and sits at the base of the Massanutten....
and moved to its present site near Swoope, Virginia in 1950. With expansions in 1999, the camp property is now 454 acres (1.8 km²) located on the eastern slope of Little North Mountain. The west side of the camp borders on the George Washington National Forest
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are U.S. National Forests that combine to form one of the largest areas of public land in the Eastern United States. They cover of land in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky...
and north, east and south sides bordering on agricultural areas of Swoope. A hunter access road runs through the camp. Three creeks run through the camp, supplying the small man-made Hope Lake. A portion of the new property on the north side has been placed into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
CREP
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is run by the Farm Service Agency . The program provides funds to farmers for the purpose of preserving lands once used for agriculture, with the goal of introducing and encouraging plant life to prevent erosion and provide habitat....
and is being restored from an agricultural to a natural state.
The camp is primarily used by units within the council, but is available to other Scouting units and youth groups and is used year-round.
Facilities
The camp ranger has a house just outside the camp entrance. The camp office includes the health lodge where emergency health care is provide during summer camp. The dining hall seats up to 300 people and includes the kitchen and food storage facilities, a staff lounge and restrooms for visitors. The trading post is a camp store that sells snacks, souvenirs, craft materials and other items during summer camp; attached are two small multi-purpose rooms. A maintenance area includes the workshop and quartermaster storage and a shed for tractor and equipment storage. The parade field provides an area where campers assemble for flag ceremonies and other activities. The Lockridge Chapel is open-air with benches for seating. The shower house has facilities for male and female, youth and adult campers. Water is provided from a well-fed water tower and sewage is processed on-site.The camp has 14 tent camp sites, each with running water and a latrine and most with a small pavilion. Unimproved areas are available for outpost camping.
The Colonel Morris T. Warner, Jr. Rifle Range, the shotgun range and the archery range are located on OA Ridge; a separate black powder range can be set up as needed. The COPE
Project COPE
Project COPE is an acronym for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience, a program in the Boy Scouts of America. It consists of different challenges for groups of scouts that involve teamwork and problem solving, or for individual scouts that test agility and individual skills...
area has a climbing tower and has high and low ropes courses set up during summer camp. The waterfront has a swim area, canoes and rowboats.
Summer camp
The summer camp program provides opportunities for a range of merit badgesMerit badge (Boy Scouts of America)
Merit badges are awards earned by youth members of the Boy Scouts of America , based on activities within an area of study by completing a list of periodically updated requirements. The purpose of the merit badge program is to allow Scouts to examine subjects to determine if they would like to...
in the areas of Scoutcraft
Scoutcraft
Scoutcraft is a term used to cover a variety of woodcraft knowledge and skills required by people seeking to venture into wild country and sustain themselves independently. The term has been adopted by Scouting organizations to reflect skills and knowledge which are felt to be a core part of the...
, handicraft, aquatics, nature and shooting sports. Other programs include Project COPE
Project COPE
Project COPE is an acronym for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience, a program in the Boy Scouts of America. It consists of different challenges for groups of scouts that involve teamwork and problem solving, or for individual scouts that test agility and individual skills...
, hikes to Elliott Knob
Elliott Knob
Elliott Knob is one of the highest mountains in the northern portions of the U.S. state of Virginia. At 4,463 feet , the peak is located on the ridge known as Great North Mountain. A small, naturally growing stand of spruce trees are on the summit, indicating that the altitude is just high enough...
and a high adventure program. Scout leaders can take supplemental training in aquatics and boating safety and in CPR. New Scouts can participate in programs designed to help work towards First Class Scout.
Activities
The camp has been used as a base for the Grindstone 100 MilerGrindstone 100 Miler
Grindstone 100 miler is an annual 100 mile long ultramarathon that takes place on trails in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, usually the first weekend of October. The race starts at Camp Shenandoah, a local camp of the Boy Scouts of America...
ultramarathon since 2008.
2009 Fire
In the early morning of August 7, 2009, a fire destroyed the trading post, killing one adult.Shenandoah 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 the Shenandoah Lodge. It supports the Scouting programs of the Stonewall Jackson Area Council through leadership, camping, and service. The lodge is organized as four chapters:
- Achewon Allohak: Southern District
- Monocan: Massanutten District
- Saponi: Monticello District
- Nagatamen: Valley District