105-697: Scouting in Wyoming has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. The Cheyenne Council was founded in 1920, and in 1925 changed its name to the Southeastern Wyoming Council . The Council merged into Longs Peak Council in 1928. In 1917, the Casper Council (#638) was formed, changing its name to Casper Area Council in 1925. It reformed in 1918, merging into Central Wyoming Council (#638) in 1931. In 1920,
210-537: A high adventure base. The High Adventure Treks from Camp Tahosa lead Scouts into the adjacent forest. Tahosa is home to separate camping programs for both Summer and non summer usage: From September to Early May, TH offers OKPIK, Tahosa Challenge (COPE), and weekend camping. During the summer months, TH offers a variety of programs including National Youth Leadership Training , Mountain Men (provisional camping), Alpine Adventure, Tahosa Trek, and EaglePoint. Alpine Adventure
315-581: A 'light parade' around the lake at night. Ben Delatour Scout Ranch includes summer camp and year-round camping, with several buildings available for year-round use. The ranch has been an active site for sustainable forestry and in 2011, the ranch became protected from future development through a conservation easement with The Conservation Fund , the Longs Peak Council, and the Colorado State Forest Service . Chimney Park Boy Scout Camp
420-548: A 500-foot (150 m) cliff known as the "Rims" separates the Heights from downtown Billings. There are 11 boroughs called "sections" within Billings' city limits. The south side of Billings is probably the oldest residential area in the city, and it is the city's most culturally diverse neighborhood. South Park is an old-growth City park, host to several food fairs and festivals in the summer months. The Bottom Westend Historic District
525-545: A Capital Fund Campaign was held to raise money for a new camp, Tomahawk Ranch. In 1960 Pikes Peak Council served as host to the 1960 National Scout Jamboree , held north of Colorado Springs adjacent to the United States Air Force Academy, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. There are five Boy Scouts of America (BSA) local councils and a single Girl Scouts of
630-595: A Scout camp experience and tour the nation's first national park . Camp Buffalo Bill is also the home of the Yellowstone High Adventure Outpost, a high adventure program where scouts can participate in one of four core areas: Trek, Climbing, Paddlesports, and Winter. Grand Teton Council is the result of a merger between the Tendoy Area Council and Idaho Falls Council , and serves Scouts in both Idaho and Wyoming. The Trapper Trails Council
735-569: A basic knowledge of backpacking/low impact camping, the program now offers more advanced training and longer, customized treks for the units of the Boy Scouts of America . Okpik is a weekend extreme winter camping experience design to train Scouts in winter survival. The program starts with a classroom session on Friday night to prepare the scouts. On Saturday, the scouts will load equipment and supplies into sleds before snowshoeing around Tumblesome Lake. On
840-413: A capacity of around 700 campers, offers dozens of merit badges and programs for scouts of all ages. Camp Dietler, founded in 1988 by William Eck, is a patrol style summer camp experience. While merit badges are offered, the main focus is on the patrol method. This is carried out through patrol cooking, events determined by the patrol leader's council, and a choice of two high adventure outposts. The camp
945-439: A diverse economy including a large and rapidly growing medical corridor that includes inpatient and outpatient health care. Billings has a large service sector including retail, hospitality and entertainment. The metro area is also home to commercial and residential construction, building materials manufacturing and distribution, professional services, financial services, banking, trucking, higher education (4 campuses, 19 others have
1050-551: A far more likely site. Coulson was a rough-and-tumble town where arguments were often followed by gunplay. Liver-Eating Johnson was a lawman in Coulson. Perhaps the most famous person to be buried in Coulson's Boothill cemetery is H.M. "Muggins" Taylor, the scout who carried the news of Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn to the world. Most buried here were said to have died with their boots on. The town of Coulson had been on
1155-633: A five-state region is the First Interstate Center , which stands at 272 feet (83 m) and 20 floors above ground level. Billings is also home to the world's tallest load-bearing brick building, the DoubleTree Tower , which stands 256 feet (78 m). With a floor count of 22 floors above ground level, the DoubleTree Tower is the tallest hotel in the city and state. It was the tallest from 1980 to 1985. The Wells Fargo Building, formerly
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#17330852576801260-447: A household in the city was $ 35,147, and the median income for a family was $ 45,032. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,207. As of 2021, the median household income had risen to $ 63,608, slightly higher than the statewide median income of $ 60,560. Per capita income was $ 37,976. About 9.2% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over. 36.6% of
1365-665: A long history, from the 1910s to the present day. Scouting got a brisk start in Colorado . The Denver Council was founded in 1915. In 1926 the name was changed to the Denver Area Council, and in 2022 the name was changed again to The Greater Colorado Council. The Colorado Springs Council was founded in 1916, and in 1922 changed its name to the El Paso and Teller Counties Council. That council in 1925 changed its name to Pikes Peak Council, which it remains to this day. Pikes Peak Council
1470-516: A milk processing center in the town. Billings plays a vital part in the energy sector. Out of Montana's 4 oil refineries, 3 of those are in Yellowstone County. Montana has about three-tenths of the nation's estimated recoverable coal reserves. In 2022, a large pumped hydro storage project was planned near Billings. Corporate headquarters include Kampgrounds of America , First Interstate Bank , and The Waggoners Trucking. Billings also has
1575-465: A nearby facility for Molson Coors , a manufacturing facility for Coca-Cola, and several other food and beverage distributors. Some major employers include St. John's Lutheran Ministries, Avitus Group, Franz Bakery , and Komatsu . MetraPark , currently called "First Interstate Arena at MetraPark" due to sponsorship, is a 12,000-seat multi-purpose building that was completed in 1975. METRA stands for "Montana Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena". It
1680-563: A patrol cook option where meals are cooked at your campsite. Elkhorn High Adventure Base is open to older scouts and Venture Crews for a week of backpacking the Rockies. Backpacking treks of various difficulty levels are offered on the ranch property and in the nearby Routt , Roosevelt , and Arapahoe National Forests. Shooting sports, C.O.P.E, climbing and repelling, a horse program, and white water rafting activities round out week-long treks or 10-day-long super-treks. Jack Nicol Cub Scout Camp
1785-413: A physical presence/classes), auto parts wholesaling and repair services, passenger and cargo air, cattle, media, printing, heavy equipment sales and service, business services, consumer services, food distribution, agricultural chemical manufacturing and distribution, energy exploration and production, surface and underground mining, and metal fabrication, providing a diverse and robust economy. Agriculture
1890-518: A quarter of the wholesale business for the entire state (these figures do not include Billings portion of sales for Wyoming and the Dakotas). Billings is an energy center because it sits amidst the largest coal reserves in the United States, as well as large oil and natural gas fields. In 2009, Fortune Small Business magazine named Billings the best small city in which to start a business. Billings has
1995-409: A remarkable rock, i ascended this rock and from its top had a most extensive view in every direction." Clark carved his name and the date into the rock, leaving the only remaining physical evidence of their expedition. He named the place Pompey's Tower, naming it after the son of his Shoshone interpreter and guide Sacajawea . In 1965, Pompey's Pillar was designated as a national historic landmark, and
2100-504: Is Montana's #1 industry. Billings contributes to this economy with the Western Sugar Cooperative Plant , processing multi-million dollar crops of sugar beets each year. Other crops include alfalfa, wheat, barley, and corn. Billings has 2 livestock auction locations out of the 13 statewide. Several farm and ranch supply stores are located in Billings, providing for the large retail radius the city serves. Meadow Gold has
2205-558: Is a legend from Camp Tahosa. The Great Southwest Council serves the Durango and Mesa Verde areas of Colorado, and includes Cascade Boy Scout Camp on the National Register of Historic Places . Adventure West Council of the Boy Scouts of America is headquartered in Greeley, Colorado . Composed of the former Longs Peak Council (named after the tallest peak in the council territory) and
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#17330852576802310-477: Is a six night mountaineering adventure in the high country of Colorado, combining the training facilities of Tahosa High Adventure Base with the lakes and vistas of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. The Scout will be members of a 12-person team, learning and applying skills to conquer the strenuous challenges of the program in a dynamic mountain environment. Tahosa Trek was started in 1995 to provide
2415-611: Is a troop run camp with access to the Tahosa High Adventure Base facilities. With a small staff, troops can build their own schedule and do whatever they would like for their week at camp. This program had a predecessor that started as early as 1991 called Eagle Quest. Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch (PV) is the main camping location of the Greater Colorado Council of the Boy Scouts of America . The camp, built in
2520-559: Is also available for rental by outside groups, and is often frequented by groups such as Denver's High School ROTC and girls groups from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Tahosa Lodge #383, chartered in 1948, serves 1218 Arrowmen as of 2004. It is the largest lodge in Colorado. The lodge totem is a coney ( Pika ), and the name translates to "Dwellers on the Mountain Tops" in
2625-547: Is available in the camp and in the nearby Medicine Bow National Forest , including to the top of Laramie Peak. The elevation at the Camp is approximately 8,000 feet (2,400 m), and summer temperatures range from the 40s at night to the 90s during the day. Camp Patiya is a 30-acre camping and day-use camp about seven miles west of Boulder, Colorado . Camp Patiya was started by the Camp Fire Girls. The Camp Fire Council purchased
2730-631: Is headquartered in Ogden, Utah . Trapper Trails Council was formed from a merger between Jim Bridger Council , Lake Bonneville Council and Cache Valley Area Council , and serves Scouts in southwestern Wyoming , southern Idaho , and northern Utah . The Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming with headquarters in Billings, Montana serves Wyoming. There is a service center in Casper, Wyoming as well as several camps. Cheyenne Council Scouting in Colorado has
2835-557: Is home to many of Billings' first mansions. Midtown, the most densely populated portion of the city is in the midst of gentrification on a level few, if any, areas in Montana have ever seen. New growth is mainly concentrated on Billings West End, where Shiloh Crossing is a new commercial development, anchored by Scheels, Montana's largest retail store. Residentially, the West End is characterized by upper income households. Denser, more urban growth
2940-570: Is home to the oldest continually-chartered troop in the state of Colorado, Troop 2, originally chartered to Colorado Springs' First Presbyterian Church in October 1917. The Greeley Council was founded in 1916, and in 1924 changed its name to the Weld and Morgan Counties Council. That council in 1928 changed its name to Longs Peak Council, which it remains to this day. The Fort Collins Council and Longmont Council, each founded in 1917, merged in 1919 into what
3045-483: Is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km ) is water. Around Billings, seven mountain ranges can be viewed. The Bighorn Mountains have over 200 lakes and two peaks that rise to over 13,000 feet (4,000 m): Cloud Peak, at 13,167 ft (4,013 m) and Black Tooth Mountain, at 13,005 ft (3,964 m). The Pryor Mountains directly south of Billings rise to a height of 8,822 feet (2,689 m) and are unlike any other landscape in Montana. They are also home
3150-613: Is located in Elbert, Colorado . The second, smaller camp, is Camp Tahosa , located near Nederland, Colorado . Camp Tahosa (TH) is a camp near Ward, Colorado , serving the Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America . It was the primary camp for the Denver area until the later 1970s, when it was shut down because of damage caused by environmental factors, where It was replaced by Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch . The camp now serves as
3255-630: Is located in the Snowy Range Mountains , approximately 33 miles (53 km) west of Laramie, Wyoming on US Highway 230 and about 6.4 miles (10.3 km) west of Woods Landing, Wyoming . The approximate coordinates for the Baldwin Lodge are 41° 4' 19.78" N 106° 6' 29.2" W (NAD83/WGS84). Chimney Park Boy Scout Camp offers year-round camping, especially winter camps, at an altitude of about 9,000 feet (2,700 m). The winter snow depth varies typically from 30 to 150 cm (1 to five feet), and
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3360-472: Is named as such because of a sawmill built in the area by early white settlers. The Cheyenne from the nearby Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation referred to the city as É'êxováhtóva , 'sawing place' and the Gros Ventre from the nearby Fort Belknap Indian Reservation referred to it as ʔóhuutébiθɔnɔ́ɔ́nh , 'where they saw lumber', both also named for the sawmill, or translations of
3465-410: Is named for Cortlandt Dietler, who donated the money to build the camp commissary. Magness Adventure Camp is the Denver Area Council's Cub Scouting camp. The camp has three shelters, each with a campsite housing eighty tents. The program includes lake activities, a BB Gun range, an archery range, recently added a slingshot paint ball range and a firewatch tower that overlooks Elbert County. The camp
3570-582: Is now the Longs Peak Council. The Boulder Council, also created in 1917, was merged into the Council in 1920. The Southeastern Wyoming Council of Cheyenne merged into Longs Peak Council in 1928. The Trinidad- Las Animas County Council, founded in 1917, changed its name to the Las Animas County Council in 1924. This and the Arkansas Valley Council, founded in 1924, merged in 1927 to become
3675-565: Is occurring in Josephine Crossing, one of Billings' many new contemporary neighborhoods. Downtown is a blend of small businesses and office space, together with restaurants and a walkable brewery district. The Heights, defined as the area of the city northeast of the Metra, is predominantly residential, and a new school was recently completed in 2016 to accommodate growth in the neighborhood. The tallest building in Billings and Montana as well as
3780-699: Is officially no apostrophe in the name, due to a ruling about the mountain itself by the Board on Geographic Names . On board the Space Shuttle Challenger when it disintegrated in 1986 was an American flag that was sponsored by Troop 514 of Monument, Colorado . When the Challenger wreckage was retrieved from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, this flag was found, sealed in a plastic bag, intact and completely unscathed. Billings, Montana Billings
3885-541: Is still active, though). Additionally, in 2005, the Boy Scouts of America Denver Area Council acquired a large section of land adjacent to Peaceful Valley, and is the location of their Magness Adventure Camp for Cub Scouts. Facilities include the Travis Shooting Sports Facility, which contains an Olympic shotgun shooting range, the Gates Aquatic Center, a horse corral, BB Gun range, two lakes, and
3990-522: Is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Montana , with a population of 117,116 as of the 2020 census . Located in the south-central portion of the state, it is the seat of Yellowstone County and the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area , which had a population of 184,167 in the 2020 census. With one of the largest trade areas in the United States, Billings is the trade and distribution center for much of Montana east of
4095-512: Is the newest resident camp on the ranch, completed in 2001. It offers age-appropriate programs that are not necessarily designed for rank advancement. Camp Nicol consists of 3 major themed program areas (Fort Unfug, Castle Walker, and the Everett Seaport) and offers a summer program featuring a new camp-wide theme each year. The 2014 theme is Time Travel. Program activities include BB gun and archery shooting, hiking, handicrafts, hiking, games and
4200-472: Is the only remaining physical evidence of Coulson's existence. When the railroad came to the area, Coulson residents were sure the town would become the railroads hub and Coulson would soon be the Territories largest city. The railroad only had claim to odd sections and it had two sections side-by-side about two miles west of Coulson. Being able to make far more money by creating a new town on these two sections
4305-578: The Beartooth Highway . The northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park is a little over 100 miles (160 km) from Billings. The city is named for Frederick H. Billings , a former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad from Woodstock, Vermont . An earlier name for the area was Clark's Fork Bottom. The Crow people from the nearby Crow Indian Reservation call the city Ammalapáshkuua . It means 'where they cut wood', and
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4410-557: The Continental Divide . Billings is also the largest retail destination for much of the same area. The Billings Chamber of Commerce claims the area of commerce covers more than 125,000 square miles (320,000 km ). In 2009, it was estimated to serve over 500,000 people. Billings was nicknamed the "Magic City" because of its rapid growth from its founding as a railroad town in March 1882. The nearby Crow and Cheyenne peoples called
4515-466: The Heart Mountain internment camp near Cody, Wyoming , along with thousands of other Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans . While detained in the camp, Mineta, a Boy Scout , met fellow Scout Alan K. Simpson , future U.S. Senator from Wyoming , who often visited the Scouts in the internment camp with his troop. The two became, and have remained, close friends and political allies. In 1954
4620-542: The Kiowa language. The lodge is divided into seven chapters which correspond with the seven districts of the Denver Area Council. Tahosa Lodge holds their ordeal weekends and other events at the two council camps, Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch and Tahosa Scout Camp. Many patches from the lodge feature a character known as the Purple Bishop, and delegates of the lodge to NOAC can often be seen wearing purple cloaks. The Purple Bishop
4725-588: The Midland Empire . After World War II , Billings became the region's major financial, medical and cultural center. Billings has had rapid growth from its founding; in its first 50 years growth was, at times, as high as 200 to 300 percent per decade. Billings growth has remained robust throughout the years. In the 1950s, it growth rate was 66 percent. The 1973 oil embargo by OPEC spurred an oil boom in eastern Montana, northern Wyoming and western North Dakota. With this increase in oil production, Billings became
4830-772: The National Order of the Arrow Conference was held at the University of Wyoming . There are four Boy Scouts of America (BSA) local councils in Wyoming. Black Hills Area Council serves Scouts in South Dakota and Wyoming. Black Hills Area Council is headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota . In May 2021 Greater Wyoming Council merged with Longs Peak Council to form the Adventure West Council. Spanning over half of
4935-548: The Northern Pacific Railway president Frederick H. Billings , the city was founded in 1882. The Railroad formed the city as a western railhead for its further westward expansion. At first the new town had only three buildings but within just a few months it had grown to over 2,000. This spurred Billings' nickname of the Magic City because, like magic, it seemed to appear overnight. The nearby town of Coulson appeared
5040-750: The Sheridan Council (#640), changing its name to Sheridan County Council in 1922; changing its name again to Sheridan Area Council in 1926. In 1929, the Central Wyoming Council (#638) was formed. In southwestern Wyoming the Jim Bridger Council was headquartered in Rock Springs, Wy. The Jim Bridger Council had a Scout Camp at New Fork Lakes on the northwestern slope of the Wind River Mountains. The Jim Bridger Council encompassed
5145-569: The Spanish Peaks Council. The Pueblo Council was founded in 1920, and in 1928 changed its name to the Rocky Mountain Council, which it remains to this day. The Spanish Peaks Council merged into Rocky Mountain Council in 1932. The Western Colorado Council was founded in 1942, and is one of the very few councils that did not undergo a name change or merger in its entire history until 2019. May 1, 2019 Western Area Council merged into
5250-464: The Yellowstone River , which made it ideal for the commerce steamboats brought up the river. However, when the Montana & Minnesota Land Company oversaw the development of potential railroad land, they ignored Coulson, and platted the new town of Billings just a couple of miles to the northwest. Coulson quickly faded away; most of her residents were absorbed into Billings. Yet, for a short time,
5355-502: The 1910 census, Billings' population had risen to 10,031, ranking it the sixth fastest-growing community in the nation. Billings became an energy center in the early years of the twentieth century with the discovery of oil fields in Montana and Wyoming. Then the discovery of large natural gas and coal reserves secured the city's rank as first in energy. In the early 20th century, its served as regional trading center and energy hub for eastern Montana and northern Wyoming, an area then known as
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#17330852576805460-549: The 1960s by the Army Corps of Engineers, was a replacement to the original camp, Camp Tahosa . The camp is located just outside Elbert, Colorado . Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch is home to three separate camps: Camp Cris Dobbins; Camp Cortland Dietler; and Magness Adventure Camp. Like Tahosa, Peaceful Valley also hosted a troop-run camp also called EaglePoint; however, as of 2009, EaglePoint is defunct (the EaglePoint program at Tahosa
5565-526: The 1970s, Billings became a shopping destination for an ever-larger area. The 1970s and 1980s saw new shopping districts and shopping centers developed in the Billings area. In addition to the other shopping centers, two new malls were developed, and Rimrock Mall was redeveloped and enlarged, on what was then the city's west end. Cross Roads Mall was built in Billings Heights, and West Park Plaza mall in midtown. Several new business parks were also developed on
5670-738: The 2010s, Eastern Montana and North Dakota experienced an energy boom due to the Bakken formation , the largest oil discovery in U.S. history. Two-thirds of the city is in the Yellowstone Valley and the South Hills area and one-third in the Heights-Lockwood area. The city is divided by the Rims, long cliffs, also called the Rimrocks . The Rims run to the north and east of the downtown core, separating it from
5775-406: The 21st globally. Projects to achieve this status included increased efficiency at the water and waste water treatment plant, adding electric city buses and EV charging stations, and adding a conservation area to the west-end. Significant road developments began, providing infrastructure for city growth. In 2000, a new exit on Interstate 90 was completed. Zoo Drive exit provides ease of access to
5880-539: The Billings Logan International Airport. In the summer, the temperature can rise to over 100 °F (37.8 °C) on an average of 1 to 3 days per year, while the winter will bring temperatures below 0 °F or −17.8 °C on an average of 12.9 days per year. The snowfall averages 57.4 inches (146 cm) a year, but because of warm chinook winds that pass through the region during the winter, snow does not usually accumulate heavily or remain on
5985-420: The Billings area. With the addition of more interchange exits along I-90 , additional hotel chains and service industry outlets are being built in Billings. Development of business parks and large residential developments on the city's west end, South Hills area, Lockwood, and the Billings Heights were all part of the 1990s. Billings received the All-America City Award in 1992. In the 21st century, Billings saw
6090-446: The Crow name. The downtown core and much of the rest of Billings is in the Yellowstone Valley, a canyon carved out by the Yellowstone River . Around 80 million years ago, the Billings area was on the shore of the Western Interior Seaway . The sea deposited sediment and sand around the shoreline. As the sea retreated, it left a deep layer of sand. Over millions of years, this sand was compressed into stone known as Eagle Sandstone . Over
6195-416: The Denver Area Council. The new area council will now serve 24 counties, which includes more than 34,000 youth. The former council area is now the Majestic Mesas District of the Denver Area Council. During World War II , Japanese Americans interned at the Granada War Relocation Center set up a separate Amache District for Scouts at the camp, after the camp's unofficial name Camp Amache . In 1952,
6300-540: The Greater Wyoming Council to form the Adventure West Council in 2021. The council's territory is divided into seven geographic districts: Adventure West Council - Districts Map Encompassing 3,200 acres (13 km ) at 7,200 feet (2,200 m) to 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in elevation, Ben Delatour Scout Ranch near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado is operated by the Adventure West Council and includes four Scout Camps: Camp Charles Jeffrey and Soaring Eagle features several summer program areas including Rock Climbing at
6405-414: The Green River Basin and included the Woodruff and Randolph Utah Area. Towns included in the council were Rock Springs, Green River, Pinedale, Big Piney, Kemmerer, Opal, Mountain View, Lyman, Fort Bridger and Evanston. The council was merged with two councils in Utah in the early 1990s. The council was home to Order of the Arrow Lodge 529 – Tatanka. During World War II , Norman Mineta was detained in
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#17330852576806510-477: The Heights to the north and Lockwood to the east, with the cliffs to the north being 500 feet (150 m) tall and to the east of downtown, the face rises 800 feet (240 m). The elevation of Billings is 3,126 feet (953 m) above sea level. The Yellowstone River runs through the southeast portion of the city. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 43.52 square miles (112.72 km ), of which 43.41 square miles (112.43 km )
6615-449: The Norwest Bank Building, was the tallest building in Montana from 1977 until 1980. Billings is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Statistical Area. The metropolitan area consists of three counties: Yellowstone , Stillwater , and Carbon . The population of the entire metropolitan area was at 184,167 in the 2020 Census. As of the census of 2010, there were 104,170 people, 43,945 households, and 26,194 families residing in
6720-414: The Pancake Climbing Base and on some of the many peaks in the camp, C.O.P.E. (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience), Shooting Sports, Scout Skills, Handicraft, and Nature Studies offered through a traditional Merit Badge program. The camp also has a Scouting Museum and Chuck Wagon Cooking area where traditional dutch oven meals are prepared daily. Scout units can choose between a dining hall experience or
6825-489: The Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range. The Beartooth Mountains are the location of Granite Peak, which at 12,807 feet (3,904 m) is the highest point in the state of Montana. The Beartooth Highway , a series of steep zigzags and switchbacks along the Montana–Wyoming border, rises to 10,947 feet (3,337 m). It was called "the most beautiful drive in America" by Charles Kuralt . The Beartooth Mountains are just northeast of Yellowstone National Park. The Crazy Mountains to
6930-482: The USA council in Colorado, merged from an original five. The first National Wider Opportunity for Senior Girl Scouts, "Recall the Riches restore the Ruins," was held in Central City in 1973. In 1979, "Sky Hi Ski," a National Wider Opportunity, was held at YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch near Granby and a Senior Girl Scout troop from Mile Hi Council participates in the opening ceremonies at the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. As of October 1, 2007 , all Girl Scouts from
7035-597: The Wyo-Braska Council. In 2021 Kola Lodge absorbed Tatokainyanka Lodge #359 of Greater Wyoming Council. The Pathway to the Rockies Council, formerly known as the Pikes Peak Council, of the Boy Scouts of America , headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado . Named after the most famous peak in the council territory, upon which ' America the Beautiful ' was written, Pathway to the Rockies Council provides Scouting to youth in east-central Colorado, including Park , Teller , El Paso , Elbert , Lincoln , Kit Carson and Cheyenne Counties . As with Longs Peak Council , there
7140-506: The base of Black Mountain near Wheatland, Wyoming , offers summer camp and year-round camping. It was purchased in 1920 by a group of volunteers wanting a place to take Scouts in the wilderness. The rugged terrain, rambling brooks, and mountain backdrop offer Troops a place to experience the traditional camp experience including the merit badge camp program. The camp also offers a first-year camper program, horseback riding, rock climbing, ziplines, mountain boarding, and mountain biking. Hiking
7245-463: The basins and Fort Benton on the Hi-Line . In 1877, settlers from the Gallatin Valley area of the Montana Territory formed Coulson the first town of the Yellowstone Valley. The town was started when John Alderson built a sawmill and convinced PW McAdow to open a general store and trading post on land Alderson owned on the bank of the Yellowstone River. The store went by the name of Headquarters, and soon other buildings and tents were being built as
7350-470: The city Ammalapáshkuua and É'êxováhtóva respectively, meaning 'where they cut wood', named as such because of a sawmill built in the area by early white settlers. The city has experienced rapid growth and maintains a strong economy. From 1969 to 2021, the Billings area population growth was 89%, compared to Montana's overall increase of 59%. Parts of the metro area are seeing hyper growth. From 2000 to 2010 Lockwood , an eastern suburb, saw growth of 57.8%,
7455-441: The city is home to many regional headquarters and corporate headquarters. Because Montana has no sales tax, Billings is a retail destination for much of Wyoming, North and South Dakota as well as much of Montana east of the Continental Divide . $ 1 out of every $ 7 spent on retail purchases in Montana is spent in Billings. The percentage of wholesale business transactions done in Billings is even stronger: Billings accounts for more than
7560-461: The city's west end during this period. Billings was affected by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in May; the city received about 1-inch (25 mm) of ash on the ground. The Yellowstone fires of 1988 blanketed Billings in smoke for weeks. In the 1990s, the service sector in the city increased with the development of new shopping centers built around big box stores which built multiple outlets in
7665-411: The city. The population density was 2,399.7 inhabitants per square mile (926.5/km ). There were 46,317 housing units at an average density of 1,067.0 per square mile (412.0/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 89.6% White , 4.4% Native American , 0.8% Black , 0.7% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 1.4% from other races , and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.2% of
7770-412: The city. The tornado was accompanied by hail up to golf ball size, dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, and heavy winds. The tornado destroyed a number of businesses and severely damaged the 12,000-seat MetraPark Arena. See or edit raw graph data . Billings has many sections that comprise the whole of the city. The sections are often defined by Billings unique physical characteristics. For example,
7875-565: The completion of the Shiloh parkway, a 4.8-mile (7.7 km) multi-lane street with eight roundabouts . Other new centers include Billings Town Square and West Park Promenade, Montana's first open-air shopping mall. In 2009, Fortune Small Business magazine named Billings the best small city in which to start a business. On June 20, 2010 (Father's Day), a tornado touched down in the downtown core and Heights sections of Billings. The MetraPark Arena and area businesses suffered major damage. In
7980-478: The council. These districts are: National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is a week-long youth oriented leadership training experience held for three weeks during the summer. This camps aims to shape youth scouts into full trained scouts and was previously named Bighorn, now it is called NYLT at Bighorn, symbolizing the area that it takes place in. The Denver Area Council operates camps in two locations in Colorado. The primary camp, Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch ,
8085-409: The development of operations centers in the city's business parks and downtown core by such national companies as GE, Wells Fargo, and First Interstate Bank. The Downtown Billings Alliance led efforts to transform downtown in order to increase economic and civic opportunities. In 2002, Skypoint was completed. This artistic structure provides a defining area to host events. Downtown saw a renaissance of
8190-410: The eastern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. Downtown Billings has a humid continental climate ( Köppen : Dfa ) bordering on a cold semi arid climate (Köppen: Bsk ), with dry, hot summers, and cold, dry winters. However, areas outside of downtown can have a hot-summer continental climate, even with the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm, due to the urban heat island effect, as exemplified by
8295-492: The far shore of the lake, participants use the remainder of the day to construct quinzhees which they spend the night in. Tahosa Challenge is part of the Project COPE program that encourages youth and adults to expand mental creativity, increase physical abilities, promote leadership skills and instill personal confidence. EaglePoint is the newest addition to Tahosa. Founded in 2000 at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, EaglePoint
8400-489: The former Greater Wyoming Council, the Adventure West Council supports Scouting youth in northeastern Colorado north of Denver, central and eastern Wyoming and the panhandle of western Nebraska, and is chartered by BSA to organize, extend, support, and control the Scouting program within its exclusive territory. The WyoBraska Council of Scottsbluff merged into the Longs Peak Council in 1975, and Longs Peak Council merged with
8505-437: The ground for long: the greatest depth has been 33 inches (84 cm) on April 5, 1955, after a huge storm which dumped 4.22 inches (107 mm) of water equivalent precipitation as snow in the previous three days under temperatures averaging 26.7 °F (−2.9 °C). The snowiest year on record was 2017–18, with 106.1 inches (269 cm), topping the 2013–14 previous record of 103.5 inches (263 cm). The first freeze of
8610-513: The headquarters for energy sector companies. In 1975 and 1976, the Colstrip coal-fire generation plants 1 and 2 were completed; plants 3 and 4 started operating in 1984 and 1986. In the 1970s and 1980s, Billings saw major growth in its downtown core; the first high-rise buildings to be built in Montana were erected. In 1980, the 22-floor Sheraton Hotel was completed. Upon its completion, it was declared "the tallest load-bearing brick masonry building in
8715-482: The historic area as building after building was restored. In 2007, Billings was designated a Preserve America Community . Various changes were made to make the city more environmentally friendly. The MET Transit Center for city buses received LEED Platinum status in 2010. This was the first transportation facility in the US to do so. In 2022, Billings received LEED Gold certification, the first city to do so in Montana and
8820-430: The largest growth rate of any community in Montana. In 2020, the area experienced its highest growth rate in a decade with a 2.3% increase. Billings avoided the economic downturn that affected most of the nation from 2008 to 2012 as well as the housing bust. With more hotel accommodations than any area within a five-state region, the city hosts a variety of conventions, concerts, sporting events, and other rallies. With
8925-470: The last million years the river has carved its way down through this stone to form the canyon walls known as the Billings Rimrocks or the Rims. The Pictograph Caves are about five miles south of downtown. These caves contain over 100 pictographs (rock paintings), the oldest of which is over 2,000 years old. Approximately 30,000 artifacts (including stone tools and weapons) have been excavated from
9030-559: The nearby Bakken oil development , the largest oil discovery in U.S. history, as well as the Heath Shale oil discovery north of Billings, the city's growth rate stayed high during the shale oil boom. Attractions in and around Billings include ZooMontana , the Yellowstone Art Museum , Pompey's Pillar , Pictograph Cave , Chief Plenty Coups State Park , Little Bighorn Battlefield , Bighorn Canyon , Red Lodge Mountain , and
9135-461: The original twenty acres for the camp in 1960 and began holding group and family camps shortly thereafter. All the buildings on site were constructed between 1963 and 1981. In 1977, an additional ten acres of land was donated, bringing the camp to its present size. Camp Fire continued to hold group camping year-round and Day Camps in the summers. In the 1980s, membership in Camp Fire declined. In 1987, it
9240-504: The point of the new town. Coulson was a rough town of dance halls and saloons and not a single church. The town needed a sheriff and the famous mountain man John "Liver-Eating" Johnson took the job. Many disagreements were settled with a gun in the coarse Wild West town. Soon a graveyard was needed and Boothill Cemetery was created. It was called Boothill because most of the people in it were said to have died with their boots on. Today, Boothill Cemetery sits within Billings' city limits and
9345-461: The population has a bachelor's degree or higher. Billings' location was essential to its initial economic success. Billings' future as a major trade and distribution center was basically assured from its founding as a railroad hub due to its geographic location. As Billings quickly became the region's economic hub, it outgrew the other cities in the region. The Billings trade area serves over a half million people. A major trade and distribution center,
9450-439: The population. There were 43,945 households, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
9555-535: The quickly growing west-end area. The Yellowstone River bridge is being rebuilt as part of the Billings Bypass project, which will create a new arterial roadway from Lockwood to the Heights. The city saw a significant growth in businesses. With the completion of the Shiloh interchange exit, the TransTech Center was developed and more hotels were built. In 2010 the Shiloh corridor was open for business with
9660-425: The railroad decided to create the new town of Billings, the two towns existed side by side for a short time with a trolley even running between them. However, most of Coulson's residents moved to the new booming town of Billings. In the end Coulson faded away with the last remains of the town disappearing in the 1930s. Today Coulson Park, a Billings city park, sits on the river bank where Coulson once was. Named after
9765-476: The season on average arrives by October 6 and the last is May 5. Spring and autumn in Billings are usually mild, but brief. Winds, while strong at times, are considered light compared with the rest of Montana and the Rocky Mountain Front . Due to its location, Billings is susceptible to severe summer weather as well. On June 20, 2010, a tornado touched down in the Billings Heights and Downtown sections of
9870-509: The site. These excavations have proven the area has been occupied since at least 2600 BC until after AD 1800. The Crow Indians have called the Billings area home since about 1700. The present-day Crow Nation is just south of Billings. In July 1806, William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition ) passed through the Billings area. On July 25 he arrived at what is now known as Pompey's Pillar and wrote in his journal "... at 4 P M arrived at
9975-601: The state are joined as Girl Scouts of Colorado Council . The Greater Colorado Council, previously named Denver Area Council, of the Boy Scouts of America is headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado , and supports Scouting units and youth in an area of central Colorado from Arapahoe and Adams Counties east to the Continental Divide . For traditional units, the council is split into districts related by school districts. These districts are: The council, also, has non-geographic districts to support non-traditional programs operated by
10080-607: The state of Wyoming, the Greater Wyoming Council (Central Wyoming Council before 2016) provides service for boys from age 8 to 21. Greater Wyoming Council is headquartered in Casper, Wyoming . The Council is composed of seven Districts. Camp Buffalo Bill lies seven miles east of the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park in the Shoshone National Forest. The camp is ideal for troops wishing to have both
10185-468: The three above mentioned camps. The camp also has a bronze boot print casts of Robert Baden Powell located near the main camp office. Camp Cris Dobbins is the flagship camp of Peaceful Valley. The camp is home to The Travis Shooting Facility, which includes an Olympic shotgun range, the million dollar Gates Aquatic Center, a dining hall which underwent a nearly twelve million dollar renovation and expansion in 2019, and over twenty campsites. The camp, with
10290-562: The town began to grow. At this time before the coming of the railroad, most goods coming to and going from the Montana Territory were carried on paddle riverboats. It is believed it was decided to name the new town Coulson in an attempt to attract the Coulson Packet Company that ran riverboats between St Louis and many points in the Montana Territory. In spite of their efforts the river was traversed only once by paddle riverboat to
10395-540: The two towns coexisted; a trolley even ran between them. But ultimately there was no future for Coulson as Billings grew. Though it stood on the banks of the Yellowstone River only a couple of miles from the heart of present-day downtown Billings, the city of Billings never built on the land where Coulson once stood. Today Coulson Park sits along the banks of the Yellowstone where the valley's first town once stood. By
10500-487: The west rise to a height of 11,209 feet (3,417 m) at Crazy Peak, the tallest peak in the range. Big Snowy Mountains , with peaks of 8,600 feet (2,600 m), are home to Crystal Lake. The Bull Mountains are a low-lying heavily forested range north of Billings Heights. The Absaroka Range stretches about 150 mi (240 km) across the Montana–Wyoming border, and 75 miles (121 km) at its widest, forming
10605-496: The winter daytime high temperatures vary typically from -9 to +7 °C (+15 to +45 °F) The winter nighttime low temperatures vary typically from -26 to 0 °C (-15 to +32 °F). A lodge with a stove and fireplace are available. Lodge use must be reserved through the Longs Peak Council Office. There is a usage fee. See https://campreservation.com/062/Camps/909 for more information. Camp Laramie Peak , at
10710-665: The world" by the Brick Institute of America. During the 1970s and 1980s, other major buildings were constructed in the downtown core; the Norwest Building (now Wells Fargo), Granite Tower, Sage Tower, the MetraPark arena, the TransWestern Center, many new city-owned parking garages, and the First Interstate Center , the tallest building in Montana. With the completion of large sections of the interstate system in Montana in
10815-399: Was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.6% of residents under the age of 18; 9.8% between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% from 25 to 44; 26.3% from 45 to 64; and 15% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age in the city was 37.5 years. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female. As of 2000 the median income for
10920-548: Was determined that the goals for operating the camp could best be met by transferring the ownership to Adventure West Council. Kola Lodge #464, chartered in 1951, serves over 100 Arrowmen as of 2022. The totem of this Lodge is the Fire of Friendship centered in a gray arrowhead with a red feather and an antelope antler in the background, and the name translates to "Friend" in the Lakota language . In 1973, Kola Lodge absorbed Wiyaka Luta #403 of
11025-545: Was proclaimed a national monument in January 2001. An interpretive center has been built next to the monument. The area where Billings is today was known as Clark's Fork Bottom. Clark's Fork Bottom was to be the hub for hauling freight to Judith and Musselshell Basins. At the time these were some of the most productive areas of the Montana Territory . The plan was to run freight up Alkali Creek, now part of Billings Heights, to
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