The application for the 2026 Vervaert Grants is now live and available until May 2nd!
The Alexander A. Vervaert Camping Grant
Each year, the Key Foundation Inc. provides grants for youth-serving summer camps run by 501c3 non-profit organizations. The grants are limited to $1,000 and should be used to expand existing program areas or introduce new program aspects to the camp.
To ensure that proposed projects fit within the strategic plan of both your camp and council, The Key Foundation asks that the following people are aware of and have approved the project: Scout Executive or designee, Camping Committee Chairman, and the Camp Director.
Projects that have multiple funding sources are also considered. Grants are limited to $1,000 per camp. Councils with multiple camps or camp programs can apply for each camp. However, each application will be considered on its own merits.
About Alex
Alexander A. Vervaert was a Scout in the Greater Lowell Council in the 1930s. In 1937, he was a camper at the first season of Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation. Later, he served on the Reservation Staff. After serving in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, he returned to Scouting and the Reservation. As an adult scout, he served as District Chairman and council Commissioner and as a member of the Council‘s Executive Board for almost 40 years.
He was the "Grand Sachem" of the Wah-Tut-Ca Braves, a forerunner of the Order of the Arrow in the Greater Lowell Council. In 1951 he chartered a new OA Lodge, number 451, which he would name, "Wannalancit", after the last Bashaba of the Pennacooks who lived in Greater Lowell.
Alex‘s first love in Scouting was Wah-Tut-Ca. He served the Reservation in many capacities. From the end of World War II until his death in 1991, virtually every building on the reservation was the result of his handy work.
Alex had a powerful theatrical voice, which he used to effect in the promotion of Scouting and the Reservation. Early camp promotional films presented by the Wah-Tut-Ca Braves and Wannalancit Lodge were narrated with the passionate voice. His Vigil Honor name is translated as, "Scholar with the Big Voice". As he grew older his long white hair, carefully groomed, gave way to the name "The Silver Fox" as his friends and brothers knew him.
In 1987, the 50th Anniversary of Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation, Alex served as "co-chair" of the yearlong celebration. He developed two historical documents, "The History of Greater Lowell Scouting" and "The Wah-Tut-Ca Scrapbook." He also collaborated with and provided significant insight and support to summer camp history, "Glow The
In 1991, 40 years after founding Wannalancit Lodge, Alexander A. Vervaert died at Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation, paintbrush in hand. This was a fitting end to a humble son and father.
The Key Foundation named its camping grant after a man who provided opportunity and program to thousands of young people. It is in recognition of his contributions and to perpetuate his spirit that this grant is made available.
2025 Vervaert Grant Details
The following projects were awarded Vervaert Grants for the 2025 season:
Camp Squanto
In 2025, Mayflower Council introduced a drone flight and safety program at Camp Squanto in Plymouth, MA. The grant was used to purchase six drones and the necessary batteries to operate the program for two hours each day. Camp Squanto serves about 1,200 campers per summer.
Camp Marshall
Camp Marshall received two grants in 2025, one for a STEAM program and one for an archery program. With the creation of the new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) program, the grant was used to purchase solar powered robotics kits, volcano supplies, and more. With the expansion of the archery program, new bows, arrows, and targets were purchased. Camp Marshal serves about 600 campers per year in Spencer, MA.
Lantern Light Camps
Lantern Light Camps received two grants in 2025, one for a farm to table program and one for a sports program. With the creation of the new farm to table program, the grant was used to purchase raised planter beds, soil, seedlings, a greenhouse, gardening tools, and cooking tools. With the expansion of the sports program, the grant was used to purchase soccer goals, lawn games, ropes for teambuilding activities, and various sports equipment. Lantern Light Camps serves about 300 campers per year in Northwood, NH.
Washington Crossing Council Cub Day Camp
Scouting America’s Washington Crossing Council expanded their sports program for its Cub Day Camps in 2025. The grant was used to purchase a new portable gaga ball pit, which was used at all four of the camp’s locations. This year, Washington Crossing Council served 160 campers in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area.
Camp Wanocksett
In 2025, Scouting America’s Heart of New England Council expanded their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) program at Camp Wanocksett in Dublin, NH. The grant was used to purchase Chromebooks and VEX robotics kits. Camp Wanocksett serves about 1,500 campers each year.
Treasure Valley Scout Reservation
In 2025, Scouting America’s Heart of New England Council expanded their vocational technology program at Treasure Valley Scout Reservation in Rutland, MA. The grant was used to purchase a plasma cutter, bench vises, and welding helmets. Treasure Valley Scout Reservation serves about 1,1100 campers per year.
New England Base Camp
In 2025, Scouting America’s Spirit of Adventure Council expanded its animation studio at New England Base Camp in Milton, MA. The grant was used to purchase two tablets, to screens for watching animations, toys to be used in animations, animation software, and green screens. New England Base Camp serves about 1,400 campers each summer, and about 20,000 campers year-round.
Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation
In 2025, Scouting America’s Western Massachusetts Council expanded its medical training program at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, MA. The grant was used to purchase CPR mannequins and related materials. Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation serves about 500 campers each year.
2024 Vervaert Grant Details
The following projects were awarded Vervaert Grants for the 2024 season:
Camp Wanocksett
Heart of New England Council will be expanding their archery program at Camp Wanocksett in Dublin, NH. The grant will be used to purchase more targets and target covers to allow more campers to use the archery space at the same time.
Treasure Valley Scout Reservation
Heart of New England Council will be expanding their drone program at Treasure Valley Scout Reservation in Rutland, MA. The grant will be used to purchase larger drones with enhanced battery capabilities to allow campers longer flight times when learning about drone safety.
Camp Resolute
Mayflower Council will be expanding their archery program at Camp Resolute in Bolton, MA. The grant will be used to purchase more arrows and smaller bows to allow younger campers to use the archery space.
TL Storer
Spirit of Adventure Council will be expanding the conservation programming at TL Storer Scout Reservation in Barnstead, NH. The grant will be used to purchase a river water table to demonstrate river science and conservation principles.
New England Base Camp
Spirit of Adventure Council will be expanding the nature ecology program at New England Base Camp in Milton, MA. The grant will be used to purchase water chemistry kits, reagents, air and water pumps, and other data-collection supplies to connect campers with the local environment and teach about water quality and habitat health.
Cub Scout Day Camp
Washington Crossing Council will be expanding their shooting sports area at their Cub Scout Day Camp in Princeton Junction, NJ and Pennington, NJ. The grant will be used to purchase safety-style throwing axes as another activity to promote fun, physical fitness, and practicing a skill.
Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation
Western Massachusetts Council will be expanding their orienteering and geocaching program at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, MA. The grant will be used to purchase GPS units which private geocache locations can be programmed into without placing the caches on a public website.
Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation
Western Massachusetts Council will be expanding their blacksmithing program at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, MA. The grant will be used to purchase a forge, hand-crank blower, and tool kit to help campers speed up the process of manipulating hot metal.
June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation
Connecticut Rivers Council will be creating a new leadership speaker series and meeting space at June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation in Ashford, CT. The grant will be used to purchase teleconferencing equipment to allow remote speakers to present at the camp without having to travel, such as an astronaut at training school who was once a camper at JNWSR.
Wah-Tut-Ca Reservation
Lantern Light Camps will be expanding their climbing program at Wah-Tut-Ca Reservation in Northwood, NH. The grant will be used to purchase child-sized equipment to allow younger campers to safely use the climbing space.
