The Niagara Frontier Family Trail Program

Welcome to Western New York and the Niagara Frontier !

The Niagara Frontier is one of the most historically significant areas in the United States. Few regions can claim as much impact on our early development as a nation: The Iroquois Confederacy; military fortresses and battlegrounds; the development of hydro-electric power; gateway for the mass movement of settlers and goods across the Great Lakes and Mid-West heartland of America; home to immigrants and refugees from all lands; and, the awesomeness of Niagara Falls, are just some of the unique heritage treasures that should be known and appreciated by people of all ages.

The Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America, has established and maintains the "Niagara Frontier Trail" as an opportunity for families of Scouts, and non-Scouts alike, to discover the rich heritage of the Niagara Frontier. Through this program, the Council also has an incomparable opportunity to further its work in providing educational support to young people, and fostering family unity. A copy of the Trail Medal booklet listing all requirements may be obtained in person, or by mail, from:

Greater Niagara Frontier Council
Boy Scouts of America
401-Maryvale Drive
Buffalo, NY 14225

The Niagara Frontier Family Trail is a unique program, centered around a two day experience that includes a 30 mile motor tour of many of the historical highlights of the area, with specific activities along the way and follow-up projects afterward. Upon completion, each participant ‹ Scout or not, young or old ‹is eligible to receive the trail medal. This program can be completed at any time during the year, however, it is strongly urged that it be attempted between April 1st and October 31st, as some of the sites maintain seasonal closing periods.

For the year 2002, the "Trail" begins at Old Fort Niagara National Historic Landmark (Youngstown) and proceeds to the New York Power Vista (Lewiston), Niagara Reservation State Park and the mighty Falls of Niagara (Niagara Falls), the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Museum (Buffalo), the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site (Buffalo), and concludes at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park (Buffalo). Numerous side-trip options abound including: the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima (Lewiston); the Aquarium of Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls); the Niagara Aerospace Museum (Wheatfield); and, in Buffalo, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Buffalo Museum of Science, Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House, and Forest Lawn Cemetery (burial site of President Millard Fillmore, famed Seneca orator "Red Jacket", and "Pony Express" partner William D. Fargo).

Until 2002, the former Schoellkopf Geological Museum (Niagara Falls) was a required stop; however, the building is closed until the Fall of 2002. During that time it is undergoing a complete makeover, and when reopened, will be known as (subject to last minute change) the Niagara Gorge Heritage Center. Until such time as it reopens, and appropriate new questions added to the Trail Medal booklet, it is not a requirement for the year 2002. The 2003 booklet will be revised to reflect the new nature of the site, and the location will be added back to the list of required stops. So, to sum-it-up...for the year 2002, only, there are 6 required Trail stops, instead of 7:

• Old Fort Niagara National Historic Landmark (Youngstown)
• the New York Power Vista (Lewiston)
• Niagara Reservation State Park and the mighty Falls of Niagara (Niagara Falls)
• The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Museum
• The Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration Site
• The Buffalo and Naval Servicemen's Park

In 2003, there will (again) be 7 required.

An important part of the Trail program is its "Hunt for Knowledge". At each stop on the tour, you must look for answers to certain questions (listed in the Trail Booklet) which deal specifically with each site. Good touring, good learning, and, Good Luck!

*Please note: While this program contains the name "Family Trail", and was developed to help encourage family unity, it is open to anyone and any group interested in participating. It is a recognized reality of life, today, that "family" takes many forms. The important thing in all of this is that you undertake and experience the journey together.

Trail Medal Requirements:
1. Read the Trail Medal booklet thoroughly. Sit down as a family and plan your Historic Trail, including any side-trips you may want to take. Designate
responsibilities to everyone, such as: making advance reservations; navigating and map reading; driving and paying tolls; asking questions or directions ; and, taking pictures or collecting postcards & brochures

2. Visit all "required"sites on the trail and answer all the questions listed in the booklet for each location. Everyone must be neat and courteous at all times. Scouts are encouraged to wear their uniform while on the Trail. Pre and post-visit research is strongly encouraged !!!

3. Complete any two of the family projects listed below:

a. Make a family album of your trip, using either photographs you have taken, or postcards and brochures (or a combination) of the places you visited.
b. Construct a diorama of the Niagara River, showing Lake Erie, the Falls, the Niagara Gorge, and Lake Ontario. Show it at school or group meeting.
c. Write "thank you" notes to all those who helped you along the Trail.
d. Take a side-trip and visit another point of interest that was not one of the required seven.
e. Put together a presentation, and show it at school, Scout, or other group meeting.

4. Complete and sign the certification form in the back of the pamphlet (if you are under 18 years of age have parent, guardian or leader sign it) and mail to:

Greater Niagara Frontier Council
Boy Scouts of America
401-Maryvale Drive
Buffalo, NY 14225
*A correct "Answer Key" will be sent with your medals so that you can double-check your answers.

For additional assistance in planning your "Family Adventure", and more information on the many experiences the Niagara Frontier has to offer, you may wish to contact:

Niagara USA Chamber (Chamber of Commerce)
Niagara Office Building
345-Third Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14302
Phone: (716)285-9141

Niagara County Tourism
Phone: (800)-338-7890
Information by email

Greater Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau
617-Main Street, Suite 400
Buffalo, NY 14203-1496
Phone: (716)852-0511 or (888)-2BUFFNY
Information by email

"Everything Buffalo"

New York State Tourism Information (official)
Phone: (800)CALL-NYS

TRAIL BOOKLET ORDER FORM

The above applications are in the "PDF" format. They are "captured" and processed including character recognition and made to look almost exactly like the original.
PDF format can be printed with the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Last updated: August 27, 2004