OA Section List: Eastern Region Updates

1993 - 2021

1973 - 1992

1949 - 1972

1938 - 1948

Mergers and Changes:

Bucktail Council merged with Laurel Highlands Council, becoming its Bucktail District. The sale of Camp Mountain Run is still pending.
Effective: ?
Reference: Laurel Highlands Council districts

Connecticut Rivers and Housatonic councils exploring merger.

"At our respective meetings, the Executive Boards of both Housatonic and Connecticut Rivers Councils voted to authorize the formation of a joint exploratory committee to evaluate a potential consolidation, consistent with guidance from the Scouting America National Council. The purpose of this committee is to conduct due diligence and determine whether consolidation would strengthen program delivery, fiscal sustainability, governance, and service to units and volunteers.
The exploratory committee will begin its work in January 2026. Areas of review include program support, Council operations, financial position, properties and assets, staffing, and governance structure. The committee is expected to present findings and recommendations to both Executive Boards in the following months."

Effective: pending
Reference: Connecticut Rivers Council email, Potential Council Consolidation, 1/20/2026

Andrew Jackson & Choctaw Area councils are proposing to merge and form Mississippi Riverlands Council. At the time of the merger, the new council would continue to operate the following facilities: Council Administrative offices in Flowood MS, Council service center: Meridian MS, Camp Bianchi in Meridian MS, and Hood Scout Reservation in Hazelhurst MS.

"...leaders from the Andrew Jackson Council (AJC) and the Choctaw Area Council (CAC) began discussions in early 2025 to explore ways to work together. Those conversations revealed that a true merger, rather than a simple resource-sharing arrangement, would provide significant benefits to Scouts, volunteers, and families across both Councils. Following consultation with National representatives, both Councils agreed to begin a formal merger process. This process, which involves review and approval by each Council’s leadership and key stakeholders, is designed to ensure a thoughtful, transparent approach. The FAQs and timeline that follow outline the major steps and considerations in that process.
The name Mississippi Riverlands Council captures the essence of unity, heritage, and geography that defines Scouting in our state. It honors the mighty Mississippi River—a symbol of strength, continuity, and life—while embracing the network of rivers that flow through the counties now served by the new council. Within this expanded area, the council encompasses rivers such as the Mississippi, Pearl, Big Black, Yazoo, Homochitto, Amite, Bogue Chitto, Tangipahoa, Bayou Pierre, Sunflower, Strong, Yockanookany, Chunky, and Chickasawhay. These waterways are not only geographic landmarks but also symbols of resilience, connection, and exploration—values that mirror the spirit of Scouting."

Effective: 3/1/2026
Reference: Andrew Jackson Choctaw Area Merger FAQs, Andrew Jackson Council website

Jersey Shore Council to move office to Citta Scout Reservation Barnegat, NJ by end of January, 2026.
Effective: pending
Reference: Jersey Shore Council website

Half Moon 28 (Rip Van Winkle) and Kittan 364 (Twin Rivers) merged to form Kittan Lodge #19, Twin Rivers Council.

"We are now KITTAN LODGE #19, Jeff Middendorf, December 17, 2025
On Saturday, December 6, 2025 members of Kittan Lodge #364 and Half Moon Lodge #28 gathered at the Christ Church United Methodist in Glens Falls, NY to complete the final steps in an almost 10 month long process to see the two lodges merge into one new lodge. After beginning the day with some fellowship involving a Ginger Bread house competition, all members present we treated to an excellent meal, in our first opportunity to break bread together.
After lunch, the youth members were called to order to begin the business of ratifying the by-laws of the new lodge. After all present had a chance to review the new by-laws and ask questions, the vote was taken to approve the by-laws of Kittan Lodge #19. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the by-laws, and with that a new Order of the Lodge was formed.
The day concluded with discussion on the inaugural lodge flap, with good progress being made toward a final design and with the election of the first slate of lodge officers for KITTAN LODGE #19."

Effective: 12/6/2025
"Congrats to our new slate of officers! They will take office on January 1st and will be sworn in at our banquet on January 3rd."
References: Kittan Lodge website Kittan Lodge website, Kittan Lodge Facebook page.
Special thanks to Jeff Middendorf for notifying me of this update.

Colonial Virginia Council in separate merger talks with both Heart of Virginia and Tidewater councils.

"November 17, 2025
Tidewater Council Scouting America's ("TWC") President sent a letter to the President of Colonial Virginia Council ("CVC") today seeking to discuss a plan to consolidate the two councils. Although you may have seen an announcement about an intent to merge CVC with Heart of Virginia Council ("HOVC"), the compelling option is to consolidate CVC with TWC. Accordingly, a merger of CVC and HOVC is not a foregone conclusion."

Effective: pending
Reference: Colonial Virginia Council website

Suffolk County Council votes to merge into Theodore Roosevelt Council by March, 2026. Per National's merger policy, Shinnecock 360 and Buckskin 412 lodges must merge by 2027.
Effective: pending
Reference: Suffolk County Council website

Pennsylvania Dutch Council moved office from Lancaster to Lititz, PA.
Effective: 11/3/2025
Reference: Scout Shop and Office Closure, council's website

Monmouth and Jersey Shore councils exploring merger.

"On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the Monmouth Council Executive Committee, and on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Jersey Shore Council Executive Board, each unanimously voted to form a joint Merger Study Committee.
These discussions aim to address shared challenges-including declining membership, volunteer shortages, and financial constraints-that are impacting Scouting councils nationwide. The primary goal of the merger study committee is to strengthen Scouting in New Jersey by combining resources-camp properties, volunteers, and staff-and enhancing support for local programs that serve families across Atlantic, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean Counties and portions of Burlington and Cape May Counties."
The new joint council's HQ would remain in Morganville, with Jersey Shore a local office at the Citta SR in Barnegat.

Effective: pending
Reference: Monmouth Council website

Onondaga 36 (Ohio River Valley) and Menawngihella 550 (Mountaineer Area Cncl) merged to form Oconomowoc Lodge.
Effective: 8/1/2025
Reference: Oconomowoc Lodge website

New Birth of Freedom moved to Camp Tuckahoe in Dillsburg, PA
Effective: 6/4/2025
Reference: Still Settling In, But Open for Business, New Birth of Freedom website

Rip Van Winkle merged into Twin Rivers Council:
Effective: 6/1/2025
References:

Rip Van Winkle Council was issued a Transitional Charter that expired May, 2025.

"Based on a recent conversation with the leadership of [Council Service Territory] #10, it is official, the Rip Van Winkle Council will be issued a TRANSITIONAL CHARTER for June 2024 to May 2025. This decision has been reviewed and approved by the National Key 3 of the Boy Scouts of America. This decision is final, there is no appeal for this decision.
This decision means the Rip Van Winkle Council needs establish a plan to merge with another nearby council or councils.
Anticipating this outcome, our Executive Board had started to organize a volunteer committee to consider and plan our transition. The Transition committee will be looking into various analytics for each of the councils being considered. Those analytics may include:
The Transition committee has been tasked with selecting the best council for us to merge with in order to continue to meet the needs of our youth."
David Gagnon, Council President, Elise Anderson, Council Commissioner, and Dana Kuhns, Scout Executive/CEO

Letter from Rip Van Winkle Council, 5/29/2024

Update: Since then, the council has balanced their budget, paid off all of their debt, increased their youth membership and increased the number of units compared to the prior year.

"For all we have gone through in the last four years, we have weathered the storm. We have been resilient. Call it pluck. Call it motivation or drive. It is that part of each of us the refuses to quit. It's that part that is continuing to provide a quality Scouting program to the youth of Ulster and Greene Counties.

At this point, I am not sure what the future of the Rip Van Winkle Council holds. What I do know is that we should not quit. Delivery of the Scouting program is too important for the youth of Ulster and Greene Counties."
Dana E. Kuhns
Scout Executive/CEO

Reference: Council's March 2024 newsletter
- "During a meeting last month with the National Service Territory #10 (the state of NY) leadership, we were informed the Council would be receiving a Conditional Charter for the upcoming year. The territory cited concerns about our Council's sustainability. They cited specifically the declining membership of the Council for the last few years.
  
  Last month, at our monthly Executive Board meeting, the Council Key 3 signed a document that gave the Rip Van Winkle Council a Conditional Charter for the year 2023 to 2024. It also outlined the expectations the Council is to meet in order to maintain that Conditional Charter.
  If we do not meet the expectations of the Conditional Charter, the Council will be forced to begin a plan to merge with another Council."
  References: Council's October 2023 newsletter

Ohio River Valley Council merged into Mountaineer Area Council, which then moved their headquarters from Fairmount to Wheeling.
Special thanks to Bro. Andrew Kosmowski for reporting this.
Effective: 12/1/2024
Reference: "Two Major Scouting Councils To Merge," The Intelligencer Wheeling-News-Register, 10/12/2024

Daniel Webster Council changed its name to Scouting America New Hampshire
Effective: 2/8/2025
Reference: Scouting America New Hampshire's website

The portion of Bay-Lakes Council that covered the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, its Hiawatha District, merged into Michigan Crossroads Council.
Effective: 1/1/2025
Reference: Bay-Lakes Council website

2024:

TKäen DõD 30 (Five Rivers) merged with Erie Canal 159 (Western New York) to form Eternal Flame Lodge.
Effective: by 12/25/2024
References: TKäen DõD Lodge's Facebook page, Eternal Flame Lodge's website

"The name of the new lodge comes from the Eternal Flame Falls, a small waterfall located in the Shale Creek Preserve, part of Chestnut Ridge Park near Orchard Park, New York. A small grotto at the waterfall’s base emits a natural gas that can be lit to produce a small flame".
Reference: OA News, Merger in New York, ISCA JOURNAL - March 2025

Voyageurs Area Council was divided between four councils. Its Northern Lakes District merged into Northern Lights Council, Boundary Waters and Arrowhead districts merged into Northern Star Council, and its Glacial Trails District was split between Chippewa Valley Council (Douglas, Bayfield, and Ashland counties) and Michigan Crossroads Council (Gogebic County). It is unclear where Iron County, Wisconsin was placed, more research is needed.
Effective: 12/1/2024
References: Voyageurs Area Council website, Northern Lights Council website, Northern Star Council website, Chippewa Valley Council website, Michigan Crossroads Council website

map pending

Five Rivers Council merged with Western New York Council to form Great Falls Council #380. "It will continue to operate Scout service centers in Cheektowaga, Elmira, and Oakfield, as well as Camp Gorton, Camp Scouthaven, and Camp Sam Wood." This will be exactly 18 months after Western New York was formed from the merger of Iroquois Trail and Greater Niagara Frontier councils. Special thanks to Bro. Andrew Kosmowski for reporting this.
Effective: Nov 1, 2024
Reference: Five Rivers Council and Western NY Council to Merge, and Five Rivers Council and Western NY Council Merger Update.

Shenshawpotoo #276 and Guneukitschik #317 merged to form Onerahtokha #297. The name means April in the Mohawk language, and is pronounced honor-ah-toe-kah. Its totem is the fisher, a member of the weasel family (Mustelidae). The number, 297, is the result of both numbers being combined, divided in half, and rounded up. This also keeps the legacy of 2 for Shenshawpotoo, 7 for Guneukitschik, and 9 symbolizing their combination. As Shenshawpotoo and Guneukitschik where originally scheduled to co-host the 2025 E9 Conclave, Onerahtokha Lodge took over as host.
Effective: July 16, 2024
Reference: AJ Kelly, E9 Associate Section Adviser, and Onerahtokha Lodge Chief's Letter Merger Announcement

Section Changes:

Wyona 18 and Woapeu Sisilija 343 will be transferred to from E14 to E11, while E12 and the remainder of E14 will be merged into an as yet unnamed section.
Effective: after the June 2025 conclaves
Reference: Realignment Memo: Sections E11, E12, and E14 for June 2025. Special thanks to AJ Kelly, E9 Associate Section Adviser, for notifying me of this change.

Todd Rogers has confirmed that the new combined section will be called E21.

Old E12

Old E14

Wagion 6 (to E21)

Allohak Menewi 57 (to E21)

Monaken 103 (to E21)

Kuskitannee 168 (to E21)

Langundowi 46 (to E21)

Ah'Tic 139 (to E21)

Ho-Nan-Ne-Ho-Ont 165 (to E21)

Gyantwachia 255 (to E21)

Wyona 18 (to E11)

Woapeu Sisilija 343 (to E11)

New E11

Kittatinny 5

Sasquesahanough 11

Octoraro 22

Wunita Gokhos 39

Wyona 18 (from E14)

Woapeu Sisilija 343 (from E14)

E21

Wagion 6 (from E12)

Allohak Menewi 57 (from E12)

Monaken 103 (from E12)

Kuskitannee 168 (from E12)

Langundowi 46 (from E14)

Ah'Tic 139 (from E14)

Ho-Nan-Ne-Ho-Ont 165 (from E14)

Gyantwachia 255 (from E14)

This change will reunite the lodge brothers of the old Section NE-5.

2024:

At the conclusion of it's conclave on Aug 18th, Section E16 will be dissolved, with Ohkwaliha·Ká 34 and Otahnagon 172 being transferred to Section E15, while Ajapeu 351 and Kittan 364 being transferred to Section E20.
Effective: Aug. 18, 2024
Reference: Realignment Memo: Sections E15, E16, and E20 for August 2024. Special thanks to AJ Kelly, E9 Associate Section Adviser, for notifying me of this change.

Old E16

E15

E20

Ohkwaliha·Ká 34 (to E15)

Otahnagon 172 (to E15)

Ajapeu 351 (to E20)

Kittan 364 (to E20)

TKäen DōD 30

Tschipey Achtu [95]

Erie Canal 159

Lowanne Nimat 219

Ohkwaliha·Ká 34 (from E15)

Otahnagon 172 (from E16)

Tschitani 10

Half Moon 28

Pocumtuc [83]

Owaneco 313

Paugassett 553

Ajapeu 351 (from E16)

Kittan 364 (from E16)