Serving Six Counties in South-Central Pennsylvania
The New Birth of Freedom Council, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA, serves young people in six counties (Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Perry, and York) in south-central Pennsylvania.
The council is the fourth-largest council in Pennsylvania (behind Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Allentown) and is led by over 5,500 volunteers. More than 245 community organizations, representing educational, religious, non-profit, civic, and business organizations join in partnership with the New Birth of Freedom Council by chartering 450 Scouting units (packs, troops, teams, crews, posts and groups).
The New Birth of Freedom Council is the result of the April 1, 2010 merger of the former Keystone Area (Mechanicsburg) and York-Adams Area (York) Councils.
About Our Council Name
Dating back to Forbes expedition from Carlisle in the French & Indian War, through the drafting and adoption of the Articles of Confederation in York, through Washington’s assembly of an army in Carlisle to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion, through multiple encounters in the Civil War, including the largest engagement ever on American soil at Gettysburg, and even continuing through Steelton’s and Mechanicsburg’s roles in the industrial modernization of the country, our area has played a major role in building the country. The specific name came from President Lincoln’s remark near the end of the Gettysburg Address, where he expressed hope that a new birth of freedom would emerge from the conflict in which so many died. Read more about the rich history of the council area …
Properties and Camps
Council Service Center
Staff Directory