West Central Florida Council
Encyclopedia
West Central Florida Council serves Pinellas County and west Pasco County in Florida. Two main Scout camps are Sand Hill Scout Reservation in Spring Hill and Camp Soule in Clearwater. There is also a smaller facility at Bigfoot Wilderness Camp near Dade City. Over 20,000 youth and 6,000 adult volunteers are currently served by the West Central Florida Council. More than 100 young men earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2008. The West Central Florida Council earned the prestigious 2008 Centennial Quality Council Award from the Boy Scouts of America
.
. Sand Hill Scout Reservation belongs to the Cub Scouts
, Boy Scouts
, Varsity Scouts
, and Venturers
of the West Central Florida Council and Gulf Ridge Council and is intended for their instruction and enjoyment. Sand Hill Scout Reservation offers many different activities including archery, small-bore rifle, shotgun trap and skeet shooting, hiking, camping, Project COPE
course, climbing wall, repelling tower, swimming pool, large athletics fields, 10 improved campsites (complete with shelters, water, latrines, and hot water shower facilities), handicapped accessible campsite and facilities, 2 primitive campsites, chapel, large air-conditioned dining hall, trading post, camp medical center, activities shelters, nature center, 18 staff cabins, and training buildings. This camp is also the residential Boy Scout Summer Camp for the West Central Florida Council. Hundreds of boys from the Greater Tampa/St. Petersburg area and throughout Florida attend camp every summer. Thousands of Scouts, leaders, and outside organizations use Sand Hill Scout Reservation every year for camping, training, and other activities. A full-time Camp Ranger and his family live on the property. Sand Hill Scout Reservation is large enough to host more than 1,500 Scouts at one time. Sand Hill has hosted Scouts and other organizations since the early 1980s. Sand Hill is also home to the Brooksville Raid Civil War battle reenactment every January.
" is customarily said by campers before meals:
. It offers protected trees, wildlife, and beauty centered in the most populous county of Florida
. Camp Soule offers five improved campsites (with Adirondack
shelters, latrines, and showers), nine primitive campsites, a dining hall, trading post, large activity fields, Olympic-size swimming pool, pool house, BB gun range, Cub Scout and Boy Scout archery ranges, two cabins, Council campfire ring, chapel, and a home occupied by a full-time camp ranger and his family. Camp Soule is constantly utilized for short-term Boy Scout camping, Cub Scout family camping, Cub Scout Summer Day Camp, Tiger Growl, training courses, and various other activities. Camp Soule has served the West Central Florida Council since the 1930s.
, east of Dade City, Florida. It is located within a 30000 acres (121.4 km²) wildlife preserve owned by the State of Florida - Southwest Florida Water Management District. The facility includes a 1200 square feet (111.5 m²) cabin with electricity and indoor plumbing, two wood stoves for heating, an outdoor shower, a campfire area, and primitive patrol campsites. There is a 5 miles (8 km) hiking loop starting and ending at the cabin. This loop intersects with a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail
extending over 35 miles (56.3 km) to the north and 10 miles (16.1 km) to the south. Bigfoot Wilderness Camp provides a great opportunity for camping in a rustic, primitive "Old Florida" setting.
Lodge is Timuquan Lodge 340, founded in 1946. The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society that recognizes youth and adult leaders who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Scout Law
in their daily lives. The lodge is named in honor of the extinct Timucua
Native American tribe of northern and central Florida. Timuquan Lodge hosted the S-4 OA
Section Conference at Sand Hill Scout Reservation from April 17–19, 2009. Nearly 1,100 Scouts and leaders from throughout Florida and southern Georgia attended the event.
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...
.
History
West Central Florida Council was originally chartered as the Pinellas Area Council in 1917. When the Pinellas Area Council accepted west Pasco County in the late 1970s, the council changed its name to the current title.Organization
West Central Florida Council is divided into four distinct geographical Districts to best serve the youth of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.- Calusa District (northern Pinellas County): Is named after the CalusaCalusaThe Calusa were a Native American people who lived on the coast and along the inner waterways of Florida's southwest coast. Calusa society developed from that of archaic peoples of the Everglades region; at the time of European contact, the Calusa were the people of the Caloosahatchee culture...
Native American tribe native to Southwest Florida. More than 55 Cub Scout Packs, Boy ScoutBoy Scouts of AmericaThe 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...
Troops, and VenturingVenturing (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....
Crews serve areas including Safety HarborSafety Harbor, FloridaSafety Harbor is a city on the west shore of Tampa Bay in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It was incorporated in 1917. The population was 17,203 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 17,550....
, ClearwaterClearwater, FloridaClearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
, DunedinDunedin, FloridaDunedin is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The population was 35,691 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 36,632...
, and Tarpon SpringsTarpon Springs, FloridaTarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,003 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 22,554....
.
- Osceola District (central Pinellas County): Is named after OsceolaOsceolaOsceola, also known as Billy Powell , became an influential leader with the Seminole in Florida. He was of Creek, Scots-Irish and English parentage, and had migrated to Florida with his mother after the defeat of the Creek in 1814.Osceola led a small band of warriors in the Seminole resistance...
, a famous war chief of the SeminoleSeminoleThe Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...
Native American tribe. More than 35 Packs, Troops, and Crews serve areas including SeminoleSeminole, FloridaSeminole is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,890 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,195. St. Petersburg College has a campus in the city.-Geography:...
, Pinellas ParkPinellas Park, FloridaPinellas Park is a city located in central Pinellas County, Florida. The population was 45,658 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 47,166 . The city was founded by Philadelphia publisher, F. A...
, and LargoLargo, FloridaLargo is the third largest city in Pinellas County, Florida, USA and is part of the Tampa Bay Area. Centrally located, it is the crossroads of the county. As of the 2000 census, the City had a total population of 69,371. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was...
. 2007 and 2008 Centennial Quality District.
- Skyway District (southern Pinellas County): Is named after the Sunshine Skyway BridgeSunshine Skyway BridgeThe Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a bridge spanning Tampa Bay, Florida, with a cable-stayed main span, and a total length of 21,877 feet . It is part of I-275 and US 19 , connecting St. Petersburg in Pinellas County and Terra Ceia in Manatee County, Florida, passing through Hillsborough...
that crosses the mouth of Tampa BayTampa BayTampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay."Tampa Bay" is not the name of any municipality...
. More than 80 Packs, Troops, and Crews serve areas including St. PetersburgSt. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
, Tierra VerdeTierra Verde, FloridaTierra Verde is a census-designated place in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,574 at the 2000 census.Located at the end of Tierra Verde is Fort De Soto County Park.-Geography:...
, South PasadenaSouth Pasadena, FloridaSouth Pasadena is a city located in southern Pinellas County, Florida, near St. Petersburg. The population was 5,778 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,745 .-Geography:...
, St. Pete BeachSt. Pete Beach, FloridaSt. Pete Beach is a coastal city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States famous for its status as a tourist destination. St. Pete Beach was formed from the Towns of Pass-a-Grille, Don CeSar, Belle Vista, St. Petersburg Beach and unincorporated Pinellas County. At the time of its incorporation...
, and Treasure IslandTreasure Island, FloridaTreasure Island is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,450. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 7,521.-Geography:...
. 2008 Centennial Quality District.
- Twin Rivers District (Pasco County, west of the Suncoast Parkway to the Gulf coastGulf of MexicoThe Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
): Is named after Anclote RiverAnclote RiverThe Anclote River, running for near Tarpon Springs, Florida flows westward towards the Gulf of Mexico from its source of creeks and springs inland. The river is home to a variety of fish and wildlife. Anclote River is home to the sponging and fishing industries of Tarpon Springs...
and Pithlachascotee RiverPithlachascotee RiverThe Pithlachascotee River, often called the Cotee or "Cootie" River, is a blackwater river in Pasco County, Florida.Originating near Crews Lake, the river flows for over to the south and west, flowing through the Starkey Wilderness Park before turning northwest through downtown New Port Richey,...
found in western Pasco County. 40 Packs, Troops, and Crews serve communities including TrinityTrinity, FloridaTrinity is a census-designated place in Pasco County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,279 at the 2000 census. It is now speculated that the Trinity area has grown to almost triple the size with a probable population of 13,298...
, New Port RicheyNew Port Richey, FloridaNew Port Richey is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Shady HillsShady Hills, FloridaShady Hills is a census-designated place in Pasco County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,798 at the 2000 census. It is in the Tampa-St...
, and HudsonHudson, FloridaHudson is a census-designated place located at the westernmost end of Pasco County, Florida, United States and is included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. 2006 & 2008 Centennial Quality District.
Sand Hill Scout Reservation
Sand Hill Scout Reservation is a Scout camp of over 1212 acres (4.9 km²) in the west central Florida region, located near Spring Hill, FloridaSpring Hill, Florida
Spring Hill is a census-designated place in Hernando County, Florida, United States. The estimated population was 92,144 in 2007 by the United States Census. Spring Hill belongs to Florida's Nature Coast and is in the Tampa-St...
. Sand Hill Scout Reservation belongs to the Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts (Boy Scouts of America)
Cub Scouting is part of the Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America , available to boys from first through fifth-grade, or 7 to 11½ years of age and their families. Its membership is the largest of the three BSA Scouting Divisions...
, Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts (Boy Scouts of America)
Boy Scouting is a membership level of the Boy Scouts of America for boys and young men. It provides youth training in character, citizenship, and mental and personal fitness...
, Varsity Scouts
Varsity Scouts (Boy Scouts of America)
Varsity Scouting is part of the Boy Scouting program of the BSA. It is an alternative available to boys ages fourteen to eighteen that takes the basic Boy Scouting program and adds high adventure, sporting, and other elements that are more appealing to older youth to accomplish the aims of...
, and 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....
of the West Central Florida Council and Gulf Ridge Council and is intended for their instruction and enjoyment. Sand Hill Scout Reservation offers many different activities including archery, small-bore rifle, shotgun trap and skeet shooting, hiking, camping, 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...
course, climbing wall, repelling tower, swimming pool, large athletics fields, 10 improved campsites (complete with shelters, water, latrines, and hot water shower facilities), handicapped accessible campsite and facilities, 2 primitive campsites, chapel, large air-conditioned dining hall, trading post, camp medical center, activities shelters, nature center, 18 staff cabins, and training buildings. This camp is also the residential Boy Scout Summer Camp for the West Central Florida Council. Hundreds of boys from the Greater Tampa/St. Petersburg area and throughout Florida attend camp every summer. Thousands of Scouts, leaders, and outside organizations use Sand Hill Scout Reservation every year for camping, training, and other activities. A full-time Camp Ranger and his family live on the property. Sand Hill Scout Reservation is large enough to host more than 1,500 Scouts at one time. Sand Hill has hosted Scouts and other organizations since the early 1980s. Sand Hill is also home to the Brooksville Raid Civil War battle reenactment every January.
Sand Hill Grace
The "Sand Hill GraceGrace (prayer)
Grace is a name for any of a number of short prayers said or an unvoiced intention held prior to or after eating, thanking God and/or the entities that have given of themselves to furnish nutrients to those partaking in the meal. Some traditions hold that grace and thanksgiving imparts a blessing...
" is customarily said by campers before meals:
Camp Soule
Camp Soule serves the West Central Florida Council. It is located on 53 acres (214,483.6 m²) of pristine wilderness, in the heart of Clearwater, FloridaClearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
. It offers protected trees, wildlife, and beauty centered in the most populous county of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Camp Soule offers five improved campsites (with Adirondack
Lean-to
A lean-to is a term used to describe a roof with a single slope. The term also applies to a variety of structures that are built using a lean-to roof....
shelters, latrines, and showers), nine primitive campsites, a dining hall, trading post, large activity fields, Olympic-size swimming pool, pool house, BB gun range, Cub Scout and Boy Scout archery ranges, two cabins, Council campfire ring, chapel, and a home occupied by a full-time camp ranger and his family. Camp Soule is constantly utilized for short-term Boy Scout camping, Cub Scout family camping, Cub Scout Summer Day Camp, Tiger Growl, training courses, and various other activities. Camp Soule has served the West Central Florida Council since the 1930s.
Camp Bigfoot
Bigfoot Wilderness Camp is a hidden gem at Green SwampGreen Swamp (Florida)
The Green Swamp is a swamp in Florida. It lies west of Highway 27 in Polk, Lake, Sumter, Hernando and Pasco Counties. The headwaters of the Peace River, Withlacoochee River, Ocklawaha River, and Hillsborough River are located here....
, east of Dade City, Florida. It is located within a 30000 acres (121.4 km²) wildlife preserve owned by the State of Florida - Southwest Florida Water Management District. The facility includes a 1200 square feet (111.5 m²) cabin with electricity and indoor plumbing, two wood stoves for heating, an outdoor shower, a campfire area, and primitive patrol campsites. There is a 5 miles (8 km) hiking loop starting and ending at the cabin. This loop intersects with a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail
Florida National Scenic Trail
One of eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States, the Florida Trail is a footpath spanning from Big Cypress National Preserve to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola Beach...
extending over 35 miles (56.3 km) to the north and 10 miles (16.1 km) to the south. Bigfoot Wilderness Camp provides a great opportunity for camping in a rustic, primitive "Old Florida" setting.
Timuquan Lodge
The West Central Florida Council's 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...
Lodge is Timuquan Lodge 340, founded in 1946. The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society that recognizes youth and adult leaders who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Scout Law
Scout Law
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout Promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law...
in their daily lives. The lodge is named in honor of the extinct Timucua
Timucua
The Timucua were a Native American people who lived in Northeast and North Central Florida and southeast Georgia. They were the largest indigenous group in that area and consisted of about 35 chiefdoms, many leading thousands of people. The various groups of Timucua spoke several dialects of the...
Native American tribe of northern and central Florida. Timuquan Lodge hosted the S-4 OA
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...
Section Conference at Sand Hill Scout Reservation from April 17–19, 2009. Nearly 1,100 Scouts and leaders from throughout Florida and southern Georgia attended the event.