Scouting in North Carolina has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

Early history (1910-1950) The Boy Scout program began in England under the leadership of Robert Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell gained fame in Britain through his leadership of British troops during the siege of Mafeking during the Boer War in South Africa in 1899–1900. Following this event a military training manual he wrote called "Aids to Scouting" gained popularity amongst boys in Britain. In the early 1900s Baden-Powell began developing the concepts of scouting and he put his theories to the test during the summer of 1907. He took a group of 22 boys to Brownsea Island where he conducted the first Boy Scout camp. He divided the boys into four groups and established the "patrol method". In 1908 Baden-Powell published "Scouting for Boys", the first Boy Scout handbook.

Scouting came to the United States a short time later. There were already boy organizations in the US under the leadership of Daniel Carter Beard (Sons of Daniel Boone), Ernest Thompson Seton (Woodcraft Indians) and the YMCA. Chicago publisher William D. Boyce learned about Scouting during a visit to London in 1909. A young boy assisted Mr. Boyce to his destination and declined a tip offered to him saying that he was a Scout. Boyce was impressed by the young man and visited the London headquarters of the Boy Scouts. He studied the British model and felt that boys in the US could benefit from this program. On February 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was incorporated. A National Office was established in New York City and James E. West was hired to lead the new organization.

Boy Scout troops were formed in North Carolina as early as 1910. Troops were formed at schools and churches in Greensboro, Raleigh, Burlington, Durham, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and other communities. Adult volunteers in each area worked with boys in teaching outdoor skills, first aid, athletics, swimming, citizenship and leadership. These troops registered with the BSA and as communities established multiple Boy Scout troops the volunteers began seeking professional leadership. Boy Scout Councils were chartered through the BSA as "Scout Executives" were hired.

Initially, Scouting groups in the major cities formed councils. There was the Greensboro Area Council (1918), Winston-Salem Council (1919), Raleigh Council, and Durham Council. Over the next few years as Scouting spread throughout the counties the small councils consolidated and changed their names. By 1950 North Carolina was served by thirteen Boy Scout councils:

Council Name Headquarters Date Formed Cape Fear Council Wilmington 1930 Central NC Council Albemarle 1937 Cherokee Council Reidsville 1923 Daniel Boone Council Asheville 1925 East Carolina Council Kinston 1932 General Greene Council Greensboro 1947 Mecklenburg County Council Charlotte 1942 Occoneechee Council Raleigh 1929 Old Hickory Council Winston-Salem 1942 Piedmont Council Gastonia 1924 Tidewater Council Virginia Beach, VA 1935 Tuscarora Council Goldsboro 1923 Uwharrie Council High Point 1923

Camping was an emphasis for the councils from their formation. Each council purchased or leased land for establishing Boy Scout camps. During the summer each camp was open for several weeks with a trained staff of older boys and adults to teach the Scouts various Scouting skills. In the mid-1930s most councils began holding annual "camporees." These events were held over a weekend with Scouts camping by troop with their patrols competing and demonstrating various Scouting skills.

The Uwharrie, General Greene, and Cherokee councils would all later merge to form the Old North State Council, leaving the eleven councils still serving the state as of 2022.

BSA Councils located in North Carolina There are eleven Boy Scouts of America (BSA) councils in North Carolina. Ten of them exclusively cover North Carolina, while one includes communities in both Virginia and North Carolina.

Cape Fear Council

The Cape Fear Council was founded in 1989 and serves the southeastern corner of North Carolina. The council offices are located in Wilmington.

History The Wilmington Council (#425) was founded in 1916, changing its name to the New Hanover County Council (#425) in 1926. New Hanover County changed its name to the Cape Fear Area Council (#425) in 1930. The Cape Fear Area Council changed its name to the Cape Fear Council (#425) in 1989.

Organization Districts Coastal: New Hanover and Pender counties. Lakes: Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus counties. Lumber River: Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland counties.

Camps The council operates two camp properties: Camp Bowers, which houses the annual BSA summer camp, and Camp John A. McNeil, which hosts events and programs for Cub Scouts. Both are located on the Cape Fear Scout Reservation near White Oak, North Carolina, and have sites available for year-round camping as well.

Order of the Arrow The council is served by the Order of the Arrow through Klahican Lodge 331.

Central North Carolina Council

The Central North Carolina Council (#416) was founded in 1937. The council covers the south-central portion of North Carolina. The Council offices are located in Albemarle.

History 1917 saw the founding of the Concord Council, which folded the next year. The Charlotte Council (#416) was founded in 1915, changing its name to the Central North Carolina Council (#416) in 1937.

Organization Districts Gold Rush District: Cabarrus and Rowan counties. Old Hickory District: Anson and Union counties. Uwharrie District: Montgomery, Richmond, and Stanly counties.

Camps The council operates Camp Barnhardt, which houses the annual BSA summer camp and various programs throughout the year, including year-round camping opportunities. It is located on the William C. Cannon Scout Reservation, located between Badin and New London along Badin Lake.

Order of the Arrow The council is served by the Order of the Arrow through Itibapishe iti Hollo Lodge 188.

Daniel Boone Council

Founded in 1925, the Daniel Boone Council (#414) covers the western North Carolina. The council offices are located in Asheville.

History The Asheville Council (#418) was founded in 1919, changing its name to the Buncombe County Council (#414) in 1922. Buncombe County changed its name to the Daniel Boone Council (#414) in 1925.

Organization Districts Falling Waters District: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties. Looking Glass District: Henderson, Transylvania, and southern Buncombe counties. Mt. Mitchell District: Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey, and northern Buncombe counties.

Camps The council operates Camp Daniel Boone, which houses the annual BSA summer camp, Boonseboro Village, a living history museum operated by scouts, a high-adventure camp, and various programs throughout the year, including year-round camping opportunities. It is located in the mountains south of Canton, North Carolina.

Order of the Arrow The council is served by the Order of the Arrow through Tsali Lodge 134.

East Carolina Council

The East Carolina Council was founded in 1932 and covers east-central North Carolina. The council offices are located in Kinston.

History The Rocky Mount Council (#422) was founded in 1919, changing its name to the Tar Heel Area Council (#422) in 1923. The Tar Heel Area Council merged into the East Carolina Council (#426) in 1934. The Pamlico Council (#686) was founded in 1924, and merged into the Wilson County Council (#426) in 1930. The Neuse Council (#415) was founded in 1928, and merged into the Wilson County Council (#426) in 1930. The Wilson County Council (#426) was founded in 1924, changing its name to the East Carolina Council (#426) in 1932.

Organization Districts Northern District: Bertie, Edgecombe, Halifax, Hertford, Nash, Northampton, and Wilson counties. Central District: Beaufort, Greene, Hyde, Lenoir, Martin, Pitt, Tyrrell, and Washington counties. Southern District: Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow, and Pamlico counties.

Camps The council operates a number of BSA camp properties including the East Carolina Scout Reservation (Camp Boddie and Pamlico Sea Base) located in Blounts Creek, North Carolina, along the southern bank of the Pamlico River across from Little Washington, the Herbert C. Bonner Scout Reservation (Camp Bonner and Camp Hannah Bonner) located along the northern bank of the Pamlico, in Little Washington, Camp Charles, located near Bailey, North Carolina, and Camp Sam Hatcher, located along Bogue Sound near Morehead City. BSA Summer Camp is run through Camp Boddie, while Sea Scouts programs are run through Pamlico Sea Base. All of the other properties run periodic programs and are available for weekend camping.

Order of the Arrow The council is served by the Order of the Arrow through Croatan Lodge 117.

Mecklenburg County Council

The Mecklenburg County Council serves Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The offices are located in Charlotte.

History The Charlotte Council (#415) was founded in 1940, changing its name to the Mecklenburg County Council (#415) in 1942.

Organization Districts Apache District: Southwestern Mecklenburg County. Etowah District: Southeastern Mecklenburg County. Hornets Nest District: Northern Mecklenburg County.

Camps It operates two camp facilities, locally Belk Scout Camp (Formerly Clear Creek Scout Camp) in Midland, North Carolina is available for weekend camping, and Camp Grimes at Mecklenburg Scout Reservation, located outside of the council near Marion, North Carolina, but owned by it, runs a summer camp and weekend programs as well.

Order of the Arrow The council is served by the Order of the Arrow through Catawba Lodge 459.

Occoneechee Council

The Occoneechee Council was founded in 1929 and covers the Research Triangle and Sandhills regions in the central part of North Carolina. The council offices are located in Raleigh.

History The Southern Pines Council (#423) was founded in 1919, closing in 1924. The Raleigh Council (#421) was founded in 1919, changing its name to the Wake County Council (#421) in 1925. The Durham County Council (#626) was founded in 1925. The Walter Hines Page Council (#423) was founded in 1924. In 1929, the Wake County, Durham County, and Walter Hines Page councils merged into the Occoneechee Council.

Organization Districts Cardinal: Southern Wake County. Eno River: Chatham, Durham, Granville, Orange, and Vance counties. North Star: Franklin, Warren, and northern Wake County. Sandhills: Cumberland, Harnett, Lee, and Moore counties.

Camps Occoneechee Scout Reservation, located in Moore County near Carthage houses Camp Durant, used for summer camping and Camp Reeves, which has more primitive facilities. Camp Campbell, located just across the NC-VA border on Kerr Lake near Clarksville, Virginia also features primitive facilities. All three camps are available year-round for weekend camping.

Order of the Arrow The council is served by the Order of the Arrow through Occoneechee Lodge 104.

Old Hickory Council

The Old Hickory Council was founded in 1917 and covers the western Piedmont Triad and Yadkin Valley regions, located in the northwestern part of the state. The council offices are in Winston-Salem.

History The Winston-Salem Area Council (#427) was founded in 1917, changing its name to the Old Hickory Council (#427) in 1942.

Organization Districts Blue Ridge District: Ashe and Watauga counties. Seven Rivers District: Alleghany, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin counties. Wachovia District: Forsyth County. Wilkes District: Wilkes County.

Camps