The “NOOTEEMING” Name
by Robert F. Travis

Our Scout Camp is named Nooteeming, our Arrow Lodge [was] named Nooteeming. What does “Nooteeming” mean? How did we get the name? As Paul Harvey would say, “Here is the rest of the story.” Nooteeming is a Labrador Indian name meaning “Men of the Woods.” It was first used by Dillon Wallace, our beloved founder of Scouting in Dutchess County. Mr. Wallace was a famed explorer and author. “The Chief,” as he was known, was the first Scoutmaster of Troop 1 prior to 1912. He was Dutchess County Council’s first Scout Commissioner. In 1934, he was designated a Member-At-Large of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America. He was also the recipient of the Silver Beaver, which at the time very few leaders possessed.“The Chief” wrote many adventure books, and the majority of these were written for boys. He made over three trips to Labrador. It was once said, “He knew more about Labrador at the time except for the natives.” He wrote about his travels, how he got lost without ample food and had to sustain [himself] by eating his boots! He dedicated one book to Troop 1 of Beacon. It was called Troop 1 of Labrador. During the first World War he wrote a book, John Adney, Ambulance Driver and was published in 1919. The book was inspired by a former member of Troop 1. Books by Dillon Wallace can be found in our local libraries.

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