Big things are happening at Camp Tuckahoe! Our council is renovating the pool shower building, with plans to have the new facility ready for campers to enjoy in time for the 2026 summer camp season.
When complete, the building will feature 15 individual restrooms, each with its own shower, toilet, and sink. These all-in-one units will provide privacy and flexibility for everyone—boys, girls, women, and men—making the pool area more comfortable and convenient than ever before.
“We’ve been hearing about the need for this type of renovation for years,” said Council President Lance Smith. “As more girls and women take part in our summer camping programs, it’s important that our facilities evolve to meet their needs and continue to make everyone feel welcome.”
The new structure will be a three-season facility, available for use in the spring, summer, and fall, and then closed for the colder months.
This renovation is part of the Council’s broader effort to keep Camp Tuckahoe strong for the future, ensuring that Scouts of all ages continue to enjoy safe, modern, and inclusive facilities for generations to come.
A Busy Year of Improvements at Our Camps
While our new service center may have received all the headlines, throughout 2025, we made significant upgrades at both Camp Tuckahoe and Hidden Valley to improve comfort, safety, and the overall program environment. These enhancements ensure that current and future generations of Scouts can enjoy exceptional facilities as they explore, learn, and grow.
Tuckahoe received several major improvements this year, especially within our Cub World program spaces:
- Durable metal roofs were installed on the Cub World pavilion, Fort, Castle, and the Dining Hall, protecting these heavily-used structures for years to come and improving their appearance.
- The Trading Post and Administration Building received fresh coats of paint, providing an updated look and reinforcing weather protection.
Hidden Valley also saw a series of important improvements designed to enhance comfort and convenience throughout the year:
- New privacy dividers were installed in the year-round shower building and the Wagner Training Center.
- New window air-conditioning units were installed in all Crissy’s Place and Olewine Cabins, as well as new central heating and air-conditioning systems in Labor, Whitaker, and Thunderbird Lodges.
These improvements reflect our commitment to maintaining exceptional facilities that support safe, engaging program delivery. We are grateful to the generous donors and volunteers whose support has helped make these upgrades possible.
Honoring the Legacy of Master Craftsman and Scouter, Dale Grove
I was very proud and excited to recently accept the permanent loan of an extraordinary collection of one-of-a-kind Scouting memorabilia created by the late Dale Grove, a remarkably talented craftsman and lifelong Scouter.
Dale designed and built custom National Jamboree logos from 1935 (which was canceled due to a polio outbreak) to 1969, each crafted from wood and rendered in relief for use in council contingent gateways at the Jamboree. Many campers and visitors at Camp Tuckahoe have already admired his work without realizing it—the large Scout emblem mounted on the dining hall fireplace is one of Dale’s creations and a lasting reminder of his artistry.
Dale passed away in 2015 at the age of 95. His involvement with Scouting spanned more than six decades. Beginning in 1954, he served in numerous leadership roles, including Explorer Leader and Scoutmaster of Troop 23 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church for 25 years. He guided countless trips and activities while supporting innumerable council initiatives.
His contributions stretched across the Scouting world. Dale served as a leader for the 1958 Philmont Scout Ranch Contingent and led the Canadian Canoe Expeditions in 1955, 1956, and 1959. Dedicated to Camp Tuckahoe, he was a founding member and longtime Chairman/Co-Chairman of the Memorial Mall Committee.
Over the years, Dale attended nine Jamborees—three World and six National—in leadership roles, overseeing the design and construction of the memorable gateways that welcomed each council contingent. He was also a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. From 1960 to 1973, Dale conducted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the Annual Council Dinner, further demonstrating his deep commitment to Scouting.
Recently, Dale’s sons, Todd and Drew, contacted the council and arranged to donate his handcrafted Jamboree logos, hand-painted hex signs, and other unique, irreplaceable items on permanent loan. Todd and his wife, Kim, who now live in Texas, brought everything to Tuckahoe last week and were thrilled to see all the renovations to the camp’s original dining hall, which is now our new service center. Their generosity ensures that Dale’s legacy continues to inspire today’s youth and adult leaders.
We plan to thoughtfully feature Dale’s artwork as part of a planned interior facelift of the Camp Tuckahoe dining hall in 2026, providing a fitting tribute to his creativity, craftsmanship, and lifelong dedication to Scouting.
Yours in Scouting,
Ron Gardner
Scout Executive & CEO
