This week we stray to the east, to what is now Powell Gardens. As you may know, Powell Gardens, the very popular botanical garden, southeast of Kansas City, was previously a Boy Scout Camp. The history web page for the gardens states, “Mr. Powell donated the 640-acre farm to the Kansas City Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, who used it as a regional camp until 1984,” at which time Heart of America Council disposed of the property.
In reading, Trail to Eagle: Six Decades of Scouting in Kansas City, there is reference to Camp Powell being split into two sections: one for district and unit events and one for training. The book states that Ernst Training Area (ETA) was located near the largest lake. Camp Powell was used for training activities for youth and adults. In the early 1980s the Brownsea leadership camp was held at Camp Powell.
Following are some scans of patches that say “ETA”, both participant and staff and also a conservation patch, from a local collection:
Did anyone attend training at the Ernst training area? Does anyone recognize the patches?
To close, here are three Camp Powell patches:
No council name
In response to this post, reader Matt Perryn sent the following scan of a KCAC-era Powell Scout Reservation Patch on white twill. Compare to the first Powell patch above which has an off white twill background. Thanks, Matt!
Broad Kaw Valley 
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