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.
Check back in early 2026 for the link to the 2026 Vervaert Grant application!
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 He developed two historical documents, "The History of Greater Lowell Scouting" and "The Wah-Tut-Ca Scrapbook."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.
2024 Vervaert Grant Details
The following projects were awarded Vervaert Grants for the 2024 season:
Camp Wanocksett: $1,000
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: $1,000
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: $1,000
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: $1,000
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: $1,000
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: $667.88
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: $1,000
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: $1,000
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: $1,000
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: $1,000
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.
