SUWANNEE RIVER AREA COUNCIL 1924 to present (Tallahassee) |
last updated 1/18/26
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merged with TALLAHASSEE COUNCIL 1920 to 1924 (TALLAHASSEE)
absorbed NOCHAWAY COUNCIL 1921 to 1930 (BAINBRIDGE, GEORGIA)
Much of the researched information is from the book "Scouting From the Big Bend to the Wiregrass: A Centennial History of the Suwannee River Area Council, Boy Scouts of America" by Joshua Goodman.
absorbed NOCHAWAY COUNCIL 1921 to 1930 (BAINBRIDGE, GEORGIA)
Much of the researched information is from the book "Scouting From the Big Bend to the Wiregrass: A Centennial History of the Suwannee River Area Council, Boy Scouts of America" by Joshua Goodman.
KNOWN CAMPS AND PROPERTIES
LAKE BRADFORD/ CAMP BOSCAM/ CAMP SONOKYAHOLEE 1921 to 1927
The camp that became known as "Lake Bradford" was originally the "home" camp of Troops 1 and 2 in Tallahassee, in the Tallahassee Council. The two lots, purchased in 1918 and 1919, were adjacent to lake front property owned by the Florida College for Women (now Florida State University). Each troop erected their own buildings on their camp locations. By the summer of 1921, the properties had been transferred to Tallahassee Council, with a new dining hall, diving tower and dock. In 1922, the site became known as "Camp Boscam" (an abbreviation of "BOy SCouts of AMerica".) Once it became a council camp, it became a destination for many more troops, including from the neighboring Nochaway Council. In 1926, the camp was renamed by its director, to "Camp Sonokyaholee". In a newspaper article in the Tallahassee Democrat on June 6, 1926, there is a description of recognitions of proficiency called "coups", with the emblem of each coup to be painted on the Scout's belt. The article also describes a "camp emblem", " a beautiful design in felt to be worn on the sweater, bathing suit, belt, or neckerchief as may be announced." This would be the first of only two years of Camp Sonokyaholee", as Suwannee River Council had recognized that the facility was no longer large enough to hold the Scouts that wanted to attend.
CAMP ORCHARD POND 1927 to 1947
In early 1927, a New York businessman that spent his winters in Leon County (Herman Fleitman), inherited a property in the county from a friend (Dr. Tennant Ronalds) that also enjoyed the Leon County area. From that property, Fleitman donated ten acres to the council, that included frontage on Orchard Pond. The donation came with two conditions: that the site be used as a Boy Scout Camp to be called "Camp Orchard Pond", and that the main building would be named "Ronalds Hall". While the property was donated in 1927, it was not developed for use until 1928. Included with the donation of land, Fleitman added another $10,000 for the construction of Ronalds Hall, which became the camp's dining facility, kitchen, camp office, and commissary. The camp was dedicated on March 25, 1928. For a few years, the local newspaper used the name of "Camp Ronalds". Much like the predecessor camps locally and in the south Georgia area, the tradition of coups continued, with those earning ten or more coups to be able to receive a felt patch, an "O" that resembled a varsity letter. Years later, the program evolved into the "Orchard Pond Wings", with an "O" with wings on each side; this was to be worn over the pocket flap on the Scout's uniform. There may have been a progression to this winged badge, as an example of the emblem with a "3" inside the "O" is on display at the Suwanee River Museum of Scouting at Camp Wallwood. In 1939, a camper that earned the Orchard Pond Wings and stayed another week and completed work on nature study and lifesaving could qualify for a new camp society, "The Order of the Arrows".
CAMP J.T.E. LEE (Segregated Scout Camp) 1942 to 1946
The original segregated camp in Suwannee River Area Council was Camp J. R. E. Lee, on property located at Lake Hall. Summer Camp for Black Scouts in the council began in 1937, alongside attendees from other youth groups, such as 4-H. By 1942, the growth of the Black troops in Tallahassee and Thomasville necessitated the holding a camp for just BSA members. The camp was named after the president of Florida A & M University, a long-time advocate for the Scouting program. The camp operated at Lake Hall until 1947, when the operations were relocated to leased property in the Apalachicola National Forest.
CAMP CLEAR LAKE (Segregated Scout Camp) 1947 to 1965
In 1947, the segregated Scout camp program moved to a parcel southwest of Tallahassee, about three miles south of Cypress Lake, where the camp for white Scouts would open in 1948. This would be called Camp Clear Lake. The camp closed after 1965, and Black troops began attending Wallwood the following year.
FORESTRY CAMP 1948
Much like the problems with the Lake Jackson property, Orchard Pond was proving to be too small for a growing program, even as early as 1941. The camp was being surrounded by farms that were unwilling to help the camp expand its footprint. The owner of the neighboring land made an offer to donated money to build the camp at a different location. This brought an end to Orchard Pond in 1947, with all equipment to be removed shortly after. There was a new location found in the Appalachicola National Forest on Cypress Lake, a forestry camp that would be used on an interim basis, until the permanent camp could be completed in 1949. The shortened camping season lasted for a few weeks, in August 1948.
CAMP SEMIALACHEE 1947 to 1964
The council's main camp on Cypress Lake (also known as Silver Lake) was finally ready for use in 1949. At 227 acres, this leased site offered far more room than its predecessors. The camp was named for the council's Order of the Arrow lodge, Semaialachee Lodge 239 (combination of the words SEMInole and apALACHEE). By 1956, Camp Semialachee was already deemed to be at capacity, and unable to expand, leading to a search for a new location. Semialachee's last summer camp was in 1964.
WALLWOOD BOY SCOUT RESERVATION 1962 to present
The council's search committee for a new camp caught the attention of Dr. Charlie K Wall, a surgeon from Thomasville, Georgia, that retired to property east of Tallahassee. Along with his retirement home, Dr. Wall also owned over 400 acres west of Tallahassee, on the northwest side of Lake Talquin. In late 1962, Dr. Wall donated the Lake Talquin tract of 476 acres total to the council for their new camp, named after his retirement home, "Wallwood". The camp itself is over 600 acres, due to an additional donation of 27 acres (including a family cemetery), and leased acreage from the State of Florida. Fundraising for the needed construction of new facilities began in 1963, and the camp was dedicated in 1964. Wallwood Boy Scout Reservation opened for its first camping season in 1965.
While "Wallwood" is the commonly-used name for Wallwood Boy Scout Reservation, there are two named camping areas on the property. The main camping area is known as Camp Nea Mathla, named after a Creek leader in the early 1800s. Camp Tom Matherly was created for high adventure activities and leadership training, and was dedicated on October 13, 1990. The site was named after an Eagle Scout that passed away suddenly in May 1989.
While "Wallwood" is the commonly-used name for Wallwood Boy Scout Reservation, there are two named camping areas on the property. The main camping area is known as Camp Nea Mathla, named after a Creek leader in the early 1800s. Camp Tom Matherly was created for high adventure activities and leadership training, and was dedicated on October 13, 1990. The site was named after an Eagle Scout that passed away suddenly in May 1989.