J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation

A Brief Historical Sketch of the J. E. Mack Scout Reservation

In the early 1960’s the former Lancaster County Council was faced with a serious camping problem. Camp Chiquetan (approximately 134 acres in size, located near the confluence of the Conestoga and Susquehanna Rivers) was old, overcrowded, and fast wearing out. The surrounding farmlands were either unsuited for scout camping, or too expensive to purchase. All land studies produced dead-end. Suitable property seemed unavailable.

After visiting many land parcels; in October of 1963 the Executive Board agreed to settle on a piece of property in the Furnace Hills along Route 501. The property bridged both Lebanon and Lancaster Counties. Board Member, Elmer Esbenshade, deposited a ten thousand dollar “good faith” down payment as his contribution to the new camp. His gift was listed anonymously until his death. The original 840 acre land parcel was purchased over a four year payment period for $90,000.

In order to meet an agreed upon capital campaign deadline, the Camp Property & Development Committee Chairman, Paul G. Kutz, pulled together a package that included land purchased, and the development of the first camp (North Camp). He had this approved by the Board and in the hands of Lancaster County United Way officials on the first working day of 1964. The die was cast!

After a year of recruiting, planning, and promoting a goal of $350,000 was launched. A film strip/record presentation “As the Twig is Bent” was written by Roy Horning, and photographed by G. E. “Red” Richards both members of the Board. The plan was to build America’s finest Scout Patrol Feeding Camp. Seeking a name for the new camp, the Board approved “J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation, after the council’s first Eagle Scout earned in 1917 the same year the council was formed. When the dust settled, a total of $430,000 was raised in cash, pledges and gifts-in-kind.

Much care was taken in the development of the total woodland, to save its natural appearance. Over 22 miles of hiking trails were carefully laid out and developed; the trails covered the entire one thousand acres. The size had grown through land purchases and individual land gifts, one gift totaled one hundred ten acres from E. B. “Red” Menger; and another thirty-eight acres from Bart Sharp.

Every main and service road, every building site, and the Patrol and Troop sites were carefully surveyed and laid out. The trees and brush were cut and removed by volunteer weekend work parties which included many scouts and leaders. Only then did the bulldozers and professional builders move in to finally shape North Camp. Plans were laid out for a great dedication of July 4th, 1968, the conclusion of a year long 50th Anniversary celebration of the Council.

On that day, from a symbolic campfire at Camp Chiquetan, selected Scouts carried a lighted torch over a 26 mile route lighting the first campfire at the dedication ceremony, amid band music, toasts from prominent citizens and Scouts and leaders at the new J. Edward Mack Scout Reservation. As the final act of the July 4th, 1968 Dedication, a stainless steel time capsule was buried, it was filled with Scouting memorabilia, to be opened during the year 2017 – the 100th anniversary of Scouting in the county. The first Junior Leader Training Camp was held that same summer as the “shakedown” for the new reservation. Chiquetan was sold in the spring of 1969 and in June of that year the first summer long-term camp was inaugurated.

Nine troop sites and a staff site was opened at the new reservation. In 1971 three more troop sites were added as well as the Blair Activities Center plus four activities pavilions. Later Dellinger Lodge and Esbenshade Lodge were enclosed making way for winter camping. North Camp and J. Edward Mack Reservation were heading toward its aim to be the best in the country.

A permanent rifle range shelter was developed by the T.B.T. in 1974, and dedicated to long-time scouter, Roy Palmer. In 1975 the T.B.T. dedicated the archery range shelter, naming it after Marion Coleman. A staff shower facility was developed, as was a storage building, and Swaar Pavilion was enclosed next to Squire Lake. In 1980 a new craft shelter was dedicated to late scoutmaster Dean Davis.

The Lancaster-Lebanon’s Mack Scout Reservation was rated as one of the two finest such facilities in the entire scout movement in 1982; St. Louis, MO having the other. The dream, begun in the fall of 1963 had become reality.

Since 1982 improvements have continued to camp buildings, roads and campsites. The addition of the Marjorie Mack Training Center in 1988 for leader and youth training and council meetings has been a welcome addition to the council.

The large central dining pavilion to seat all the scouts for meals and special programs while at camp was added in 1992. Permanent pavilions at the archery range for the scouts to be out of the weather were completed for the 2002 camping season. A new flag plaza in central camp was made possible by a generous donation from Henry Gibble and dedicated in 2005.

The new 4-section shower house, trading post and office, and new kitchen/food service building were all completed in 2005 – 2006. The most recent improvements were made possible by a council wide capital campaign and large designated donations to the capital campaign by Paul & Judy Ware and John Pyfer, Esq.

Camp Mack is used all year round for camping but is in its glory during the summer Cub camping sessions. The Pennsylvania Dutch Councils continues to make improvements to Camp J.E. Mack, for the scouts and leaders while taking care to preserve it’s wonderful natural resources.