About Us...


Our History
Lincoln Trails Council received its charter in 1924 and in 1926 was dubbed "Decatur Council", at that time serving only Macon County. The council now serves all or parts of Macon, Moultrie, Clark, Christian, Coles, Crawford, Edger, Shelby, Cumberland, Fayette, Jasper, Piatt and Effingham counties, and over 5,000 youth.

The 20's
The first annual business meeting was held on Jan. 18, 1926 at the YMCA. The council camp, Robert Faries (named after Executive Board Member Robert Farie of Faires Co.) was obtained this same year in an exchange of land in Faries Park.



30's
The first mention of annexing the National Trails Council (Mattoon area) was made on April 6, 1931. The annual operating budget in 1931 was $5,341. In April 1932, William B. Soules became Scout Executive. On Jan. 31, 1933, Decatur became a test council for the new younger boy "Cubbing" program. Mrs. R. E. Greenfield was the Den Mother and Dan Henry was Den Chief. On May 29, 1934, Pana, Moultrie and parts of Piatt and Christian Counties were invited to join the Decatur Council. 400 people attended the 14th annual business meeting on Feb. 25, 1936. Toledo, IL considered joining the Decatur Council on Nov. 24, 1936. The council served 914 boys as of that date. National President, Walter W. Herd of St. Louis, addressed over 1,200 people at the Annual Dinner on Feb. 23, 1937. Cumberland County considered joining the council just a week later. The council name was changed to Lincoln Trails Council #121 on Dec. 6, 1938.



50's
Mr. Clyde M. Clark became scout executive in April of 1952. The following year, the swimming pool was built at Camp Robert Fairies in 1953. Effingham, Fayette and Jasper Counties joined Lincoln Trails Council on Dec. 1, 1954. Donald E. Berg became scout executive on Dec. 1, 1957. The next year on Mar. 1, 1958, the office was moved from 229 West Prairie, to the newly purchased home at 205 S. Edward St.
600 acres of land near Pana was purchased in 1963 for a new camp. Scouts first attended this camp in 1980. W. Harley Pierson became scout executive in April, 1985. Steven L. Miller became scout executive on July 15, 1991. The service center was moved to 262 W. Prairie on July 22, 1994. James V. Winkler became scout executive on Feb. 1, 1996. Robert Faries Camp sold and proceeds went into the Endowment Fund in the Spring, 1998. Lee L. Spence became scout executive in October, 1998. On October 16, 1999 the council celebrated its 75th anniversary with a Diamond Jubilee Encampment at the Decatur Fairgrounds with over 2,000 participants. In July 2000, Rhodes France Scout Reservation celebrated its 20th anniversary. Jeff Stout became scout executive in August, 2002. In October, 2002, a majority of the portion of Edgar County, and the total counties of Clark and Crawford, voted to join Lincoln Trails Council.



60's
600 acres of land near Pana was purchased in 1963 for a new camp.



80's
Scouts first attended this camp in 1980. W. Harley Pierson became scout executive in April, 1985.



90's
Steven L. Miller became scout executive on July 15, 1991. The service center was moved to 262 W. Prairie on July 22, 1994. James V. Winkler became scout executive on Feb. 1, 1996. Robert Faries Camp sold and proceeds went into the Endowment Fund in the Spring, 1998. Lee L. Spence became scout executive in October, 1998. On October 16, 1999 the council celebrated its 75th anniversary with a Diamond Jubilee Encampment at the Decatur Fairgrounds with over 2,000 participants.



2000
In July 2000, Rhodes France Scout Reservation celebrated its 20th anniversary. Jeff Stout became scout executive in August, 2002. In October, 2002, a majority of the portion of Edgar County, and the total counties of Clark and Crawford, voted to join Lincoln Trails Council.



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