History of the Longhorn Council
With over 100 years of Scouting in North and Central Texas counties it has served, the Longhorn Council has a rich history to share. Here are some of the key moments that led to who we are today.
1908
The Fort Worth YMCA establishes Troop 1 in the Fort Worth Council.
1917
The first Eagle Scout within what is now the current region of the Longhorn Council is awarded to Edwin Snead of Waco, Texas.
1919
The Fort Worth Council is chartered and later changes its name to Fort Worth Area Council.
1920
The Fort Worth Area Council opens Camp LeRoy Shuman, where the total camp fee is only $7.50 for 10 days!
1924
The Waco-McLennan Council is chartered and later changes its name to Heart O’ Texas Council in 1927.
1929
The Boy Scout Foundation purchases Worth Ranch in Palo Pinto County for its first official summer camp.
1930
James E. West, Chief Scout Executive of the BSA, visits Worth Ranch to see construction progress.
1932
Camp Spicewood Springs, now known as Camp Tahuaya, is gifted to the Heart O’ Texas Council and opens for summer camp. The property contains the largest natural spring in Texas!
1948
The Fort Worth Area Council changes its name to Longhorn Council.
1967
The Sid Richardson Foundation donates 2,600 acres on Lake Bridgeport for Sid Richardson Scout Ranch (SR2) with the camp first opening in 1969.
1991
The National Sea Explorer Sailing Championship is held on Eagle Mountain Lake.
2002
The Heart O’ Texas Council and the Longhorn Council merge.
2018 - 2019
The BSA begins its emphasis on Family Scouting. The Longhorn Council welcomes girls into Cub Scouting and the traditional Boy Scout program is renamed Scouts BSA.
2019
The Longhorn Council celebrates 100 Years of Scouting in the North and Central Texas counties it serves with a Centennial Council Camporee at the Texas Motor Speedway.
2020
Wendy Shaw is named the new Longhorn Council Scout Executive and is the first woman to lead the region. She is recognized for her experience as a leader who excels in volunteer engagement, community partnership and fiscal accountability.
2021
The Longhorn Council envisions and begins a new Program and Property Transformation focusing on recruitment through family camping, known as Family Adventure Camp.
2021 - 2022
Family Adventure Camp is planned, funded and implemented with assistance from the Boy Scout Foundation. Camp Tahuaya becomes the primary site for implementation because of its vicinity to the Metroplex and Austin.
