Herms District History and Berkeley Council History

Some Early History Highlights

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on February 8, 1910.

The first troops 1 and 2 in Berkeley appear to have been organized prior to the recorded Troop 3 organizational meeting by the North Church Congregational of Berkeley on October 26, 1910.

According to Victor Lindbald’s History of Mt. Diablo Council Boy Scouts of America (edited):

In the spring of 1915 Dr. David P. Barrows of the University of California organized (what is believed to be the second) Berkeley “Troop 1”. Dr. Barrows was selected as Chairman of the Troop Committee. The troop was sponsored by a group of citizens with Percy R. W. Jenkins serving as Scoutmaster. By April 1915, Troop 7 was organized under the sponsorship of St. Clements Episcopal Church.

In October 1915 there was a council organizational meeting in Berkeley. The committee in charge was headed by Dr. David P. Barrows and Mayor Samuel C. Irving. The Berkeley Council received its charter from the Boy Scouts of America National Council in March 1916. The council was given council number 23 and officially listed by the National Council in May 1916.

The April 1st issue of Scouting included this notation: “H. R. Wilson, Assistant Director of the Department of Physical Education at the University of California has been employed as the first Scout Executive of the Berkeley Council. Berkeley is one of the first four First Class Councils in the State of California.” Mr. Wilson served until December, 1916, at which time Robert Gordon Sproul was employed as Executive. The National records, as published in Scouting, show R. I. Woolsey as the first President of the Berkeley Council.

(The Berkeley Council appears to have been the first council in Northern California to receive a charter from the Boy Scouts of America National Council. The Oakland-Piedmont Council followed later in 1916. The Crockett Council, San Francisco Council and the Alameda Council followed in 1917. – Editor)

In 1918, a special handbook in braille was made by the officials of Troop 4 at the California School for the Blind under the leadership of Carol G. Land, Scoutmaster, for the blind boys of the troop. In the third Liberty Loan Drive, Scouts sold 1,582 bonds equaling $142,250 (12% of the City of Berkeley’s quota). A Scout Band, and a Scribes and Patrol Leaders association, were organized.

In 1919 the Scouts were honored by Mr. John Hinkel who presented a park to the citizens of Berkeley. The park was dedicated to the people in commemoration and appreciation of the services of the Boy Scouts of Berkeley to the community and the nation during the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918).

1920s

In 1920 Leonard Keeler of Berkeley Troop 9 became the first Eagle Scout in Berkeley. He was presented with the award on January 16, 1920. Preliminary studies were inaugurated to determine the advisability of organizing Sea Scout Ships for the older boys.

In 1921, Edwin Wilson, a sixteen year old deaf Scout in Berkeley Troop 11, earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Insofar as it is known, Edwin was the first deaf boy to earn the rank of Eagle in the United States.

In 1925 the Berkeley Council budget included $610 for Sea Scouting. The first organization of Sea Scouting was effected under the leadership of Fleet Admiral (then Commander) Chester W. Nimitz and other interested sea going men living in Berkeley. Council records show the organization of a Sea Scout Ship during the year 1926.

1930s

In 1931, Scouts Vernon Hansen of Troop 36, James Shaw of Troop 16, and Richard Talbot of Troop 38, built what was then the largest totem pole in the world at Camp Berkeley (now Camp Herms) in El Cerrito.

The Berkeley Council registration as reported by Council Commissioner Claraence Whithey was 897 Scouts. A new Troop No. 17 made up of African-American boys was organized in February sponsored by the Acorn Club with Charles S. Rice, Scoutmaster.

Civic Service activities included participation by Scouts of Berkeley Council in:

1. Veterans Memorial Program on Armistice Day

2. The annual Pet Show at Live Oak Park

3. The unveiling of Tablet to local war heroes.

4. Berkeley Downtown Merchants fall opening

5. Community Chest publicity campaign.

6. Fire Prevention activities during Fire Prevention Week.

7. Thanksgiving and Christmas activities – giving and taking gifts and food to the needy.

Miniature pins were authorized by the National Council and mothers were now eligible to wear the miniature pin corresponding to the rank of her son or sons.

The annual Merit Badge Exposition was held February 13 and 14.

Wolf Tracks the Council Bulletin was placed under the direction of Scouts. Ellis Fredericks and Paul Ehret were appointed editors. H. S. Howard had edited the paper for several years.

The Berkeley Public Library announced a special section in the library for Scout books and literature. Several copies of all Merit Badges pamphlets to be (were?) purchased and placed on shelves for use.

Three sleeping cabins were dedicated at Camp Berkeley (now Camp Herms) on May 14. Lions Club President R. E. Connolly, following the dedication ceremony by the Lions Club, turned the buildings over to Council President W. B. Herms. Special projects at Camp Berkeley included: Bone Work, Horn Work, Totem Pole carving, Leathercraft, Wood Craving and Archery. Merit Badges could be earned in the following subjects: Archery, Botany, Camping, Cooking, Handicraft, Hiking, Leathercraft, Leatherwork, Pioneering, Wood Carving, Woodwork and First Aid. Scouts must be with adult leadership in order to stay overnight at Camp Berkeley.

On January 1, 1932 the Berkeley Council merged with the Contra Costa County Council to become the Berkeley Contra Costa Area Council which was shortened to Berkeley Contra Costa Council in the mid-1940s.

In 1932 the value of Scout Training was graphically demonstrated by Scouts George Suzuki and Taksuo Nakamoto in saving the lives several people from drowning in Bear River near Lamberson Camp nine miles from Grass Valley. This act of heroism was followed by the saving of a little girl’s life from drowning by Scout Robert Schoorel of Troop 20.