"Westmoreland Wings"

In 1929, Camp Westmoreland BSA opened for business just outside of Florence, Alabama.  Located on the banks of Shoal Creek, the camp is one of the oldest Boy Scout Reservations in the United States.  Westmoreland introduced a Pre-OA Honor Society Patch system for Scouts attending Camp.  First year scouts completing certain requirements could earn their "Woodsman" Wings (shown here).  Second thru Fouth Year Scouts could earn their "Brave", "Warrior" or "Chief" Wings if they were able to complete all requirements expected of them each year.  They were brought to Westmoreland by Scout Executive Hap Hubard who had picked up on ideas of Honor Societies in and around Camp Friedlander Ohio.

The Wings became a fixture for many years and appeared at the top of the Merit Badge Sash.  They were not given out, they had to be earned.  Much like the Order of the Arrow, each level brought with it more responsibility and requirements.  The Wings were all Wool Felt created by Standard Pennant of Big Run, PA.  Today they are some of the most treasured Camp Patches in the South - and hard to acquire.  To this day Camp Westmoreland still awards Wings for 8 hours of Service to the Camp.  More information on the Wings and Camp can be found at http://www.campwestmorelandbsa.org/