Greater Niagara Frontier Council BSA and Iroquois Trail Council BSA to merge

New council aims to better serve youth across Western New York

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 that they will merge as of May 1 to form the new Western New York Scout Council Inc., Boy Scouts of America. 

Greater Niagara Frontier Council Scout Executive and CEO Gary Decker said, “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. 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.”

Iroquois Trail Council Scout Executive and CEO Jim McMullen said, “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.”

The newly combined council will serve youth from all of Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, and most of Livingston County. Officials said it will 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 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. Decker will serve as the scout executive and CEO of the newly formed council. McMullen will serve as the deputy scout executive and COO.

The Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America, 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 ages 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. More information about the council is available at www.wnyscouting.org.

Iroquois Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America, serves more than 1,500 Scouts and adult volunteers in Eastern Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Livingston counties. With offices in Oakfield, the council operates three districts across the five-county service area. More information about the council is available at www.itcbsa.org.