Celebrating 100 Years of The Wanocksett Experience

On November 3, 1749, a group consisting of Matthew Thornton and 39 other men are granted 35 square miles in the south-west of the Colony of New Hampshire. "Monadnock No. 3" (or North Monadnock) would eventually become incorporated in 1771 as Dublin, NH. The land is divided into 71 equal shares, each with 3 lots within. Matthew Thornton claims three lots, including two which would eventually become Camp Wanocksett. There is no record that Matthew Thornton ever visited the land or town. He did serve in the Second Continental Congress as a representative from New Hampshire, and signed the Declaration of Independence.

Simeon Bullard, born Aug 19, 1745 was a native of New Ipswich, NH before moving to Dublin, NH in 1770. He establishes a residence on the shores of Thorndike Pond as the first settler of the land. He served as a sergeant in Capt. Joseph Parker's company during the Revolutionary War, traveling to Fort Ticonderoga in NY in the summer of 1776 to help reinforce the northern army.

Bullard dies in Dublin on January 28, 1828 at 82 years old. A giant elm tree next to the farm house is named for him - The Bullard Elm. 

In June of 1924, the Wachusett Area Council purchases 12 acres of the old Bullard Farm to create a new Scout camp, Camp Wanocksett. The land that is purchased is a tract south of Page Rd. and East of Upper Jaffrey Rd. (present-day main field, OA field, waterfront, etc.) and a neighboring tract north of Page Rd. (present-day archery and rifle ranges and the Crow, Arrowhead, Kiowa, and Provisional campsites)

Camp Wanocksett served the troops of the Wachusett Council for four weeks from July 12th to August 9th. During that period 215 boys or 52% of the registered Scouts in the council attended camp from one to four weeks, making 446 Scout weeks or an average of 110 boys per week. During the four weeks at Camp, 220 tests were passed in Nature study fire making, cooking, wood-craft, stars, compass, signaling, first aid, and a fourteen mile hike.

On January 19, the Wachusett Council purchases 8 additional acres to expand Camp Wanocksett. The land purchased is east of Upper Jaffrey Rd. and north of Page Rd. and includes present-day Scoutcraft and the locations of the Dining Hall and Cook's Cabin.

With the membership of The Boy Scouts of America beginning to show rapid growth after the end of WWII, the Wachusett Council decides to expand the camp only two decades after first purchasing the camp. The purchase of 86 acres expands the camp to over 100 acres of wilderness for Scouts to explore. The land encompasses everything east of Upper Jaffrey Rd. north to our present-day boundary.

Wachusett Council decides to expand west across Upper Jaffrey Rd. purchasing 125 acres of land as membership in the BSA continues to rise at a rapid pace since the last land acquisition in 1947. Over 125 acres of land is purchased by Wachusett Council for $7,500 ($76,000 in 2023). The council supplies $2,500 as a down-payment and takes out a two year mortgage at 4% to pay the remainder. 

The Wachusett Council merges with the neighboring Fitchburg Area Council to establish Nashua Valley Council. The board of directors embarks on a major capital campaign to establish permanent structures to support a changing camping program. Buildings built during this period include Central Lodge (current dining hall), the administration building, Nature Den, Staff cabins around the OA field, Health Lodge, and Ranger's House. 

In the early 1980s, camp enrollment numbers dwindled, and the survival of the camp was in question. In 1985 the staff had less than twenty members, including CITs. During this season the staff worked very hard to keep the camp alive. As a result of their efforts, the 1986 season exploded in enrollment compared to previous years. 1986 has henceforth been known as “The Year of Revival”, a season where an amazing staff came together to lay the groundwork for the subsequent growth of Wanocksett as a premier Scout Camp.

Nashua Valley Council merges with Gardner-based Monadnock Council. In June, facing low attendance projections, the council leadership makes the controversial financial decision to close The David R. Collier Scout Reservation in Gardner. Over the next few years most troops that had previously attended Camp Collier will adopt Camp Wanocksett as their new Scouting home. 

Beginning with the year 2000, Camp Wanocksett reached another plateau of camping excellence as its facilities and program soared towards a new level of professionalism, customer service, and attention to detail. New buildings were erected in subsequent years including a dedicated Adventure Team building, the prop shed, multiple Clivus systems, and a new Waterfront tower. Older buildings were renovated including the Dining Hall, Cook’s cabin, Administration Building porch, and Rangers’ basement. New projects were undertaken, most notably the Kennedy Memorial Amphitheater, new Brownsea area, new Scoutcraft area, a newly renovated campsite for handicapped Scouts (Merrimac) as well as the Monadnock, Nipmuc and Maskwa campsites. In 2007, the new shower house was opened for use and other new programs were instituted including the Climbing Tower (2006), Sunset summit (1999) and the Wanocksett Pioneers for older Scouts. 

Discussions of a merger with Worcester-based Mohegan Council began in 2014 and continued, off and on, for the next four years. In May 2018 the members of both council approved the plan of merger that created Heart of New England Council. 

Camp Wanocksett, alongside Treasure Valley Scout Reservation in Rutland, MA, became one of two outstanding camping facilities operated by the new council.

With the expansion of Scouts, BSA to welcome girls to the program, Camp Wanocksett opens the doors to reservations for girl troops. In the first season, 8 troops and 40 girls attend camp. 

The Global COVID-19 Pandemic forces Heart of New England Council to review options throughout the Spring of 2020. With a plan in place announced to run shortened weeks of camp with social distancing and other pandemic safety measures, campers are excited to get back to some normalcy after months of lockdowns. At the last minute, updated requirements are released by the State of NH which put operating summer camp out of reach for the season - for the first time in the camp's history, summer camp is cancelled. For the sake of continuity and tradition, a few staff members conduct a single ceremonial flag raising and lowering on the main field in July. 

Throughout the year, 100 years of Scouting at Camp Wanocksett is celebrated. Alumni gather to share history and memories, provide service to the camp, relive their best day at camp, and celebrate.