Merger of Scout councils, Iroquois Trail and Greater Niagara Frontier, effective May 1
New BSA organization will be called Western New York Scout Council Inc.
These are the shoulder patches for the Iroquois Trail Council at left and the Greater Niagara Frontier Council.
Press Release, Greater Niagara Frontier Council, BSA and Iroquois Trail Council, BSA
BUFFALO – The Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America based in Buffalo and the Iroquois Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America based in Oakfield announced today that they will be merging as of May 1 to form the new Western New York Scout Council Inc., Boy Scouts of America.
“This is an exciting time for Scouting in WNY as we bring together the best of what both councils have to offer to better serve young people, families, and the community,” said Gary Decker, Scout Executive & CEO of the Greater Niagara Frontier Council. “Our councils have been working together for generations and this solidifies that partnership. Combining ensures that we continue to provide world-class program experiences for our Scouts long into the future.”
The newly combined council will serve youth from all of Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties, and most of Livingston County in Western New York and offer many benefits, including:
- Improved program opportunities
- Better support for volunteer leaders
- A larger membership base to support a wider variety of events and activities
- Greater financial sustainability
- Two fully operational camp properties
“The combined strengths of our staff, volunteer leaders, and camp properties ensures that we’re uniquely prepared to deliver life-changing educational and character-building programs to young people and families across the entirety of Western New York,” added Jim McMullen, Scout Executive & CEO of the Iroquois Trail Council.
The WNY Scout Council will continue to operate two Scout service centers in Cheektowaga and Oakfield. The council will also operate two scout camps: Camp Scouthaven, in Freedom, and Camp Sam Wood in Portageville. (Editor’s Note: Camp Dittmer in Phelps will be closing as part of the merger. That camp hasn’t been operational since the start of Covid in March 2020.)
Decker, current Scout Executive & CEO of the Greater Niagara Frontier Council, will serve as the Scout Executive & CEO of the newly formed Council and James C. McMullen, current Scout Executive & CEO of the Iroquois Trail Council will serve as the Deputy Scout Executive & COO.
About Greater Niagara Frontier Council, BSA – The Greater Niagara Frontier Council serves more than 5,000 Scouts and adult volunteers in Erie County and the western third of Niagara County. The Council provides educational programs for boys and girls aged 5 to 20 to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness. The Scouting program in WNY has served more than half a million members since its incorporation in 1910.
About Iroquois Trail Council, BSA – The Iroquois Trail Council serves more than 1,500 Scouts and Adult Volunteers in Eastern Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, and Livingston counties in Western New York. With offices in Oakfield, NY, the council operates three districts across the five-county service area.
