Scouting in Ohio has a long history, from the 1908 to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

In 1952 and again in 1975 the National Order of the Arrow Conference was held at Miami University.

In 2016, an effort was started to consolidate councils in Northeast Ohio as of January 1, 2017. Heart of Ohio and Greater Western Reserve Councils' northern districts merged with Greater Cleveland Council. Heart of Ohio's southern districts have merged with Buckeye Council. Greater Western Reserve Councils southern districts have merged with Great Trail Council.

Order of the Arrow Lodge mergers will be completed following the Section C-4A conclave in May at Camp Manatoc

In the 1990s, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) went through a restructuring in an attempt to reduce manpower, and in several states small historic Councils were merged into a larger supercouncil. The Simon Kenton Council is an example of such a supercouncil.

There are twelve Boy Scouts of America local councils in Ohio.

Allohak Council (#818) was founded in 1991. It was composed of six districts and served parts of West Virginia and Ohio. The council headquarters was in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The Allohak Council was disbanded on December 31, 2018.

Black Swamp Area Council was created in 1992. It is composed of six districts and covers thirteen counties in Ohio. The council headquarters is in Findlay.