H. A. Moses Reservation History
H. A. Moses Reservation History
In 1945, Horace A. Moses, businessman (founder Strathmore Paper), model farmer, civic leader (Jr. Achievement founder), and philanthropist sold, at a reduced price, his beloved dairy farm/apple orchard and weekend retreat in Russell, MA to the then Hampden Council Boy Scouts of America. A condition of the sale was that the property would be named after him. Today the property is a 1300 acre facility dedicated to the ideals of Scouting; the development of character through youth leadership, physical and mental fitness of youth, and the encouragement of good citizenship with civic involvement. Serving the youth of the four Western Mass counties, thousands of Scouts have gone on to succeed and prosper after their time within this camp. With the first season in 1946, 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of Scouting at this location.
Offering a summer camp experience for boys and girls of many age groups, and with the availability of many cabins for a year-round variety of activities, involving the outdoors for training, leadership, Scout advancement, and fun, it has become a destination facility. Abutting the Cobble Mt. watershed, the reservation is part of an approximately 15,000-acre wilderness containing many New England ecosystems and the associated plant and wildlife. The semi-private 80+ acre lake supplements the beauty of the area. Other program features include: leave no trace camping, outdoor cooking, ecology activities, hiking, mountain biking, a climbing tower, ropes training course, blacksmithing, Frisbee golf, swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, rifle range, shotgun range, pioneering projects, ATV safety, crafts or just dreaming and much more.
With its own water system, maintenance area, plow trucks and a summer dining hall, it is a mini-community. The now Western Massachusetts Council BSA camp is financed through donations to the “Friends of Scouting”, fundraising activities, grants from charitable trusts, rentals and camping fees.