Scouting in Maryland - Early History (1910-1950)

Early History (1910-1950)

The 1923 National Order of the Arrow Lodge Meeting was held at Baltimore, Maryland.

In the early 1920s, there were several camps named Rodney in the Delmarva area. However, the current Rodney Scout Reservation was established in 1921.

Camp Linstead Fact Sheet 1918 to 1944 Boy Scouts of America Baltimore Area Councils First Camp By: Joel Meredith, Sr. Publication Date: May 7, 2008 – First Edition February 3, 2010 – Second Edition

1. Camp Linstead opened in 1918 and operated thru 1944. Linstead is the Baltimore Area Councils first Camp. Documentation shows that the camp operated as a full time summer camp thru 1944. There is some speculation that it may have operated in 1945 as well, but for now there is not enough documented evidence to support this contention. 2. Linstead was located on the Severn River on Round Bay in Anne Arundel County and consisted of ninety acres and was part of the Riggs estate. 3. The property was leased from two brothers, F.G. and H.G. Riggs for $1.00 dollar per year. Upon their deaths in the late 1930s and early 1940s the property was transferred to their heir who sold it to developers. Due to the outbreak of WWII, construction of new homes was delayed until around 1945. 4. Nentico Lodge 12 was founded at Camp Linstead on June 30, 1922. Dr. E. Urner Goodman, the founder of the Order of the Arrow and later the founder of the Cub Scout program, served as Chief of the Fire in the formation of Nentico Lodge. 5. In October 1923 Camp Linstead was the site of the third Grand Lodge Meeting of the Order of the Arrow. The Grand Lodge meeting is the forerunner of today’s National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC). 6. Camp Linstead operated for both white and black Scouts alike thru separate camping periods. This was not always the case in other scout councils, particularly in the south. In some cases, summer camp facilities would not be made available at all for minority scouts or a separate but not nearly as equal camp would be provided. The fact that the Baltimore Scouting program demonstrated leadership in the early years of scouting to serve all youth is a testimony to their character and vision. 7. Camping periods were two weeks long, with one period being dedicated to serve black Scouts. The summer camping season lasted eight weeks, with four camping periods per season. The Camp week started on Monday with dinner and closed two weeks later at Monday breakfast. 8. Scouts camped in a large canvas and wood framed tent that housed eight boys and one adult leader. For sleeping there were double-decked spring cots with straw mattresses. 9. Most Units and Boys would travel to the camp by means of the Baltimore & Annapolis R.R. from Camden Yards in Baltimore and arrive at Boone Station, now known as Severna Park Station. From there, a Camp truck would transport their gear / footlockers and the Scouts would hike one mile into the camp. 10. During the war years, (1942, 1943 & 1944), Scouts were directed in the camping brochure to bring their War Ration books #3 or #4 to camp for food supplies. 11. Linstead provided, as it was the custom in the early years of Scouting, full health care services to scouts. A camp Doctor was available at all times and the Scouts would travel across the Severn River by boat to visit a barber and Dentist in Annapolis during their stay at camp. 12. Full scouting skills programs were provided at Linstead, but its main focus was on aquatics. One of the highlights for scouts during their stay at camp was their sail boat races against the Midshipmen of the Naval Academy out on the Severn.