Scouting History in the Viking Council    1910-1976

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The first meeting of the Minneapolis Boy Scout Council was held on October 15, 1910 at the Commercial Club and Dr. C. M. Jordan, a community minded citizen interested in young people, was elected temporary chairman.  On October 19th, they met again and elected the following officers:

W. F. Webster,  Chairman
Louis Koch,  Vice Chairman
W. G. Cartlich,  Secretary
C. D. Velie,  Treasurer

This group of men proceeded with the task of organizing the Scout Council and recruiting other interested citizens to serve with them.  Among them was Theodore Wirth who served on the "Inspections Committee," which held periodic reviews of the young Scouts to maintain high standards of dress, military bearing and deportment.

The Council met in January of 1911 and planned a general meeting at the Minneapolis Auditorium in order to, as the minutes read, "arouse enthusiasm."  They invited Ernest Thompson Seton, author of The Birch Bark Roll, a handbook similar to Baden-Powells, which was subsequently incorporated into Scouting's literature.  Seton, who loved the outdoors, brought many of his ideas on woodcraft into the Scouting program.  When was unable to attend, the*y invited former President Theodore Roosevelt, who did attend.  Roosevelt had been intensely interested in outdoor activities since his boyhood.  At that meeting the treasurer reported receipts of $603.10, disbursements of $163.58 and a balance of $439.52.  Membership totaled 350 in 20 groups throughout the county (Hennepin).

On March 9, 1911, the Executive Committee issued a "call" to C.W. Hadden, then secretary of the Boys' Department of the YMCA in Walla Walla, Washington, to become the first field secretary of the Hennepin Council, as it was then known.

Sir Baden-Powell arrived in Minneapolis on February 26th, 1912 for a lecture held at the Auditorium.  Hundreds of Scouts turned out to greet him, and hear first-hand about the excitement of Scouting.

Boys Life magazine was purchased during this year, and made the official publication of the National Boy Scout organization.  Forty-two years later its circulation passed the million mark, and in 1956 was included in the top 17 American magazines.

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Last Update May 15, 2023