Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation

The Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation, located in northern New Jersey, was a major Boy Scout training facility for almost 50 years. It was named after Mortimer L. Schiff, the father of John M. Schiff; both of whom were World Scout Committee members and notable early Boy Scouts of America (BSA) leaders.

Background
The original reservation comprised 400 acre near Mendham, New Jersey and was in operation from 1932-1979. It was formally dedicated on October 18, 1933. The land was purchased for the BSA by Mrs. Jacob Schiff in memory of her son, Mortimer, who died while President of the BSA in 1931. During this time it served as the BSA's National Training Center and hosted the first Wood Badge courses held in the United States. Additionally, it served as the home of a special Troop, with William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt serving as Scoutmaster. This Troop was used a proving ground for Hillcourt's ideas and was commonly used for photographs in Boys' Life and in the 1948 Fieldbook. It also hosted Explorer Post 604, an all Eagle Scout post dedicated to providing service for scouting events.

William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt is buried in Mendham, New Jersey near the Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation, now within the Patriots' Path Council. Today over 310 acre of the original 500 acre of the camp are preserved as the Schiff Nature Preserve.

Closure
After the National Council moved its headquarters in 1979 from New Brunswick, New Jersey to Irving, Texas, the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico became the new home of the National Training Center.

When the Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation was closed, Nassau County Council's (now called the Theodore Roosevelt Council) Camp Wauwepex in Wading River, New York was renamed as the John M. Schiff Scout Reservation, in honor of Mortimer's son, John.

Men of Schiff
Men of Schiff together Taking to the world. Scouting ways forever, With flags and banners Mightily Unfurled To our Oath and Scout Law True We'll always be With every council every region Bound together in our legion Men of Schiff are we.

Friends of Schiff
Friends of Schiff together Taking to the world. Scouting ways forever, With flags and banners Mightily Unfurled To our Oath and Scout Law True We'll always be With every council every region Bound together in our legion Friends of Schiff are we.