Raven District was first founded shortly after World War II, and just prior to the 1950’s. Most of the houses in many areas of east and south Houston were built for soldiers and their families as they were returning from war or serving out their terms or being released from service sometime later. With new families came new growing children, and with young boys entering the grade schools the opportunity and desire for Scouting was quickly noticed by the Sam Houston Area Council.

By and large, Raven District was one of the very last districts formed within our council and served the limited number of schools in existence at that time. Since those days we have grown to serve no less than six school districts. Currently, Scouting serves youth in Barbers Hill, Galena Park, Sheldon, Crosby, Channelview and Goose Creek CISD school districts, as well as other schools within our district which is more than any other district within our council.

Our history is rich, and one of our best examples is Unit 1301 family which has been active for 70+ years. In its’ earliest days, J.P. White was their leader for 40 years. Also, in those early days of our council, it must be pointed out that we had no council camps as we do today. With Mr. White recognizing the need for such a camp for boys and working with the council, he founded Camp J.P. White, which was located by all accounts somewhere near what is now the Houston ship channel not far from the Washburn Tunnel area. The camp was named after him because he funded the camp operations for many years.

Upon Mr. White’s death, his will did not include an endowment to support the future of the camp, and eventually due to lack of funding from council, or any other sources, the camp eventually had to be closed. Some years later, in memory of Mr. White, Sam Houston Area Council created a special event area site in the now closed Camp Strake. This was known as J.P. White camporee site. We hope council stays good to its word that all named sites and buildings from old Strake will transfer to the new camp when it opens in 2016, and a new generation, as well as currents Scouts can enjoy the J.P. White Camporee site once again.

Currently within Raven District, we celebrate and honor this man who gave most of his life to Scouting, our council and to Raven District, by honoring one Raven volunteer Scouter from our district every year with a special award appropriately named after him. The J.P. White Lifetime Achievement Award which is presented annually at our District Dinner.