Piedmont Scouting History
For over 100 years, the Piedmont Council has helped shape the character of youth in our community. Starting with the first organizational meeting and Boy Scout camp-out held in 1910 in Redwood Canyon, Piedmont Scouting history and that of the town itself have remained closely intertwined.
The Beginnings
Beginning in 1910, soon after the founding of Piedmont in 1907 and the newly formed Piedmont Community Church, the Reverend John Evans Stuchell, first pastor of the church and an avid outdoorsman, was seeking a new type of organization for the boys of Piedmont. He had heard rumors of a new organization inspired by General Baden-Powell in England and decided to start one of his own.
The first organization meeting, held on October of that year, included 25 boys and parents who began a camping tradition every other weekend that sparked a movement that has impacted thousands of youth for generations.
Today the Piedmont Council serves over 1048 youth in diverse programs ranging from Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to coed teen programs including crews for Community Service, Sea Scouts & Police Explorers.
Piedmont Scouting Milestones
October 1910
First recorded Scout meeting and campout in Redwood Canyon; Organized by Reverend John Stuchell, First Pastor of Piedmont Community Church.
(Fig. 1)
1921
Piedmont Council officially chartered with National BSA.
(Fig. 2)
The Boy Pioneers established in Piedmont, one of the original models for the National Cub Scout Program
(Fig. 3)
1929 – 1971
Camp Wallace Alexander served as the Council Summer Camp for hundreds of Scouts for 42 years.
1946
Sea Scouts Ship 16 “The Revenge” organized.
1969
First Scout Tree Lot becomes major Scout fundraiser in 1970, originally organized by the Corpus Christi Men’s Club to benefit Troop 6.
1971
Exploring and Sea Scouts become co-ed.
1974
First Venturing Crew: Rowing Post 8 Founded by Edwin E. Liskiss, original organization that became Oakland Strokes
1954
First Pinewood Derby held in Piedmont
(Fig. 4)
1978
First Career Day organized by Piedmont Council for Piedmont High School
2005
1000th Piedmont Council Scout receives the highest honor, Eagle Rank
(Fig. 5)
2013
Nationally recognized Oakland Strokes Venturing Crew becomes independent from Piedmont Scouting organization
2016
Piedmont Council Awarded #1 out of 273 for Journey to Excellence Performance (JTE)
2017
National BSA announces Family Scouting and Eagle Scout program for girls
(Fig. 6)
