OLDTOWN — The Laurel Highlands Council of Scouting America recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new multipurpose Potomac District Service Center complex at Camp Potomac in Oldtown.
Camp Potomac has served as a beloved camp for generations of local Scouts since 1946, and this capital project will significantly improve and consolidate camp and local service center operations that were formerly located on McMullen Highway in Cresaptown from 1969 until 2025.
The district service center is currently operating out of temporary quarters at Camp Potomac until the new complex is completed later this year.
The new service center at Camp Potomac will consist of a main building that will house professional offices, a retail Scout shop with uniforms and merchandise, state-of-the-art classroom space, conference room, camp master lodging and a detached garage for maintenance and additional hands-on training opportunities.
The main building will provide year-round training opportunities to help sustain and increase youth participation in the Scouting America program.
The local effort is being spearheaded by Andrew Mackert, senior district executive and camp ranger, with Belt Construction serving as the general contractor for the project.
“This landmark project for Camp Potomac and Potomac District is a product of the lifelong dedication of a core group of Scouting volunteers in the Potomac District,” Todd McGregor, Scout executive and CEO of Laurel Highlands Council, said. “It will help Scouting America expand its reach, improve delivery of the program, and serve all available youth in this large, rural six-county area in Western Maryland and West Virginia.”
Major benefactors of this important capital project include Douglas Schwab, Carl “Buck” Belt Jr. and The Belt Group, Jason Pannone and Aircon Engineering, Tom and Jan Moore, Kim Leonard, SPARC Research and Steve Nelson. Additional tax-deductible donations are needed to cap off the $800,000 project. Individuals, businesses and organizations interested in contributing should contact Mackert at andy.mackert@scouting.org. Checks may be mailed to Laurel Highlands Council, 18308 Scout Camp Rd., Oldtown MD 21555. Please notate “Potomac Building Project” in the memo portion of the check.
Scouting America continues to provide critical development, leadership, and outdoor opportunities for youth from kindergarten through age 18. More information can be found online at beascout.org or by calling 301-338-0018.