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Because of concerns with the original location of this cache, I have relocated it closer to Camp Jackson. Please do not enter Camp Jackson (don’t go past the arches). If you get that far, you are way off the mark anyway!
This cache is part of a series of four caches highlighting Scouting in North Alabama. This cache highlights Venture Scouting and Camp Jackson. Be especially careful of muggles!! Please be considerate - CITO; Boy Scouts practice Leave No Trace.
Because of concerns with the original location of this cache, I have relocated it closer to Camp Jackson. Please do not enter Camp Jackson (don’t go past the arches). If you get that far, you are way off the mark anyway!
This geocache is part of a series of caches related to Boy Scouting in North Alabama. There are four caches in this series, one highlighting Boy Scouts, one highlighting Cub Scouts, one highlighting Venture Scouts, and one highlighting Varsity Scouts.
This cache highlights Venture Scouting. The Greater Alabama Council has made significant improvements to Camp Jackson and it is extensively used by various scout groups including the Order of the Arrow and Venture Scouting.
2010 marks the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts of America.
History of Boy Scouting
The history of Boy Scouts begins with the history of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, also known as B-P. B-P was a General in the British Army and a hero of Britian’s Boer War. He was a scout in the Army and created a handbook called Aids to Scouting to help other scouts in the military. He was surprised to find that both boys and girls in England were using his guidebook. In 1907, he took a group of boys to Brownsea Island to test a program adapted from this guidebook. The program was a success and in 1908 he rewrote his handbook as Scouting for Boys and Boy Scouts was born. Scouting spread across Britian quickly and has grown across the globe. Scouting is currently in 190 countries.
Boy Scouting in the United States
In 1909, Chicago publisher William Boyce was visiting London when he became lost on a foggy street. A Boy Scout came to his aid, leading him to his destination. Boyce offered the Scout a tip, but the boy refused. This unknown scout explained to Boyce that he was a Boy Scout and was only doing his good turn for the day. Boyce was very impressed. He met with B-P during his visit to learn more about Boy Scouts. Upon his return to the United States, Boyce formed Boy Scouts in America (BSA). The BSA was incorporated in Washington DC on February 8, 1910. The identity of the Unknown Scout was never discovered, but his spirit lives on in every Boy Scout who does his “Good Turn Daily”. There were earlier groups of scouts, some named boy scouts, but the current organization draws its roots from Boyce and, of course, B-P.
Boy Scouting in North Alabama
The northern half of Alabama is dominated by the Greater Alabama Council (Council #1). The Greater Alabama Council (also referred to as GAC) was formed in 1998 by the merger of Councils from Anniston, Huntsville, and Birmingham. Birmingham’s Council (formerly Birmingham Area Council and then the Central Alabama Council, Council #2) dates back to 1915. The Anniston Council (formerly Choccolocco Council, Council #1) dates to 1921. The Huntsville Council (formerly the Tennessee Valley Council, Council #659) was formed originally in 1924.
Some interesting facts about GAC. The Choccolocco Council earned the designation as Council #1 because Alabama is the first state alphabetically and Anniston is first city alphabetically within Alabama. When GAC was formed, they opted to take the Council #1 designation. The Tennessee Valley Council originally only lasted 7 years, ending operation in 1931. However, the Council reformed three years later with the same name and designation. All of the Councils merged with other Councils throughout their history, but until the Birmingham Area Council changed its name in 1996, the three Councils maintained their original names. The GAC is one of the largest Councils in the BSA. It has five camps: Camp Comer, Camp Jack Wright, Camp Jackson, Camp Sequoyah, and Camp Westmoreland. Camps Comer and Sequoyah host summer camps as well as numerous other activities for all elements of Boy Scouting.
History of Talakto District
My Troop is located in the Talakto District of GAC. There are 14 districts in GAC. The Talakto district encompasses Madison County, Alabama. It was formed in 2005 by the merger of two long standing districts that divided the county, Creek District (which covered the county North of University Drive) and Chickasaw District (which covered the area South of University Drive). In 2004, as part of the preparation for the merger, the scouts and scouters submitted names for the new district. The District Committee then selected from the submitted names. The name “Talakto” means Eagle in the Alabama Indian language. This is a particularly meaningful and appropriate name for our district. Of course the highest rank within Boy Scouting is the Eagle Scout. But this also harmonizes with our Order of the Arrow symbol, which is the Golden eagle. Beyond this, the Madison County area is historically known for the work of Werner Von Braun and the rocket scientists that led us to the Moon. Huntsville is known as the Rocket City and the name Talkto also represents our area’s contribution to landing the first man on the Moon (“The Eagle has landed...”).
So what is Venture Scouting?
Venture Scouting is aimed at older scouts 14 years of age OR 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade and under 21 years of age. Venture Scouting traces its origins to the Leadership Corps (1972-1989) and the Explorer Scouting programs. In 1998, Explorers were replaced with Venture Scouting. Unlike Boy Scouts, Venturing is a Co-Ed program. Venture Scouting is focused on high adventure activities such as rappelling, scuba diving, and the like. Similar to Boy Scouts, Venturing seeks to create men and women with ethics and leadership skills. Venture Scouting is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens. Like Boy Scouts, Venture Scouting is youth led. The Venture Scouts live by a Code and Oath similar to the Boy Scouts:
Venturing Oath
As a Venturer, I promise to do my duty to God and help strengthen America, to help others, and to seek truth, fairness, and adventure in our world.
Venturing Code
As a Venturer, I believe that America's strength lies in our trust in God and in the courage, strength, and traditions of our people.
I will, therefore, be faithful in my religious duties and will maintain a personal sense of honor in my own life.
I will treasure my American heritage and will do all I can to preserve and enrich it.
I will recognize the dignity and worth of all humanity and will use fair play and goodwill in my daily life.
I will acquire the Venturing attitude that seeks truth in all things and adventure on the frontiers of our changing world.
For more information on Scouting, visit the Boy Scouts of America website: (visit link)
Other websites with great information on Boy Scouting programs and history:
Greater Alabama Council: (visit link)
Talakto District: (visit link) (visit link) (visit link) (visit link) (visit link) (a resource for everything scouting!) (visit link) (this is a great table that shows how the Scouting programs compare) (visit link) (This is a great website with excellent Boy Scout history as well as a description of all Boy Scouting programs)
A special “Thank You” to the Scouters in GAC and Talakto who supplied me with the wealth of information on our area. “Troop 1 – 1 Troop”
Practice Boy Scout’s Leave No Trace – Please CITO – Thanks!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)