A large wooden sign hangs by the entrance of the Horace Moses Scout Reservation in Russell. (WNG File photo)
WESTFIELD — The Western Massachusetts Council of the Boy Scouts of America announced this week the completed sale of the 186-acre Chesterfield Scout Reservation to a buyer who plans to maintain the property and continue to offer outdoor programs.
The Chesterfield property sold for $1 million to Tolgy Wood, an organization that has been renting the camp for the last 15 years, said David Kruse, chief executive officer and Scout executive for the Western Massachusetts Council of the BSA. Kruse said that Tolgy Wood will hold Renaissance live action role playing activities at the camp.
The Council has owned both Chesterfield and the Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell since the merger of two area councils in 2008. The camps are 25 miles apart and the Moses Reservation is a nearly 1,300-acre property. The maintenance of both properties—buildings and grounds—was overwhelming and following a 1½ year property study, the decision was made to sell Chesterfield in 2014, according to the press release on the sale.
Kruse said that the Council will remain focused on dedicating its time and resources to the Moses Reservation. “Our plans are to continue to enhance that property, and make it a better program area for the scouts and the youth of our community,” he said.
Some of the improvements already made to the Moses Reservation feature the addition of metal roofs, and replacement of windows and rotting wood on several buildings. There has also been a significant investment in activities for campers such as an ATV riding program, water trampoline installation at the camp waterfront and a 68-foot climbing tower.
During the summer, the Moses Reservation offers week-long scouting camps, but the property is also open year-round with cabins to rent and all sorts of facilities for fun outdoor activities, Kruse said.
A new program that began in January and will restart on September 22 is called WHOA! (Woronoco Heights Outdoor Adventures). This program offers a variety of seasonal activities including ice fishing, snow shoeing, rifle and shotgun, cooking, ATV’s, blacksmithing, and ham radio on one Saturday each month from September to June, and is open to both scouts and non-scout families. The WHOA schedule is available on the website at wmascouting.org.
Kruse said another change has been the admission of girls into the scouting programs. Cub scout troops started to accept girls ages 7-11 this summer. Girls ages 11-18 will be able to join the newly renamed Scouts BSA starting in February.
Kruse said new private restrooms, showers and toilet facilities are among other improvements being made at the Moses Reservation.
“We are committed to making the Moses Scout Reservation a fun experience through a diversity of activities,” said Kruse. “Continual reinvestment in the property to better serve the youth of western Massachusetts is the most important part of that commitment,” he added.
