A Terrific Finish

The Camp has really been blessed over the past few years by visiting Boy Scout troops and their young men seeking to complete Eagle Scout projects. One of those scouts is Cody Smith of BS Troop 633.  

Cody undertook a project which we've wanted completed for a while. There's a small spring that runs across Beech Bottom Trail . . .  

It never dries up and in fact, after a good rain, can be pretty substantial! It's home to minnows and frogs (and who knows what else), so it's a sweet little spot, but it's not easy to cross on foot, at least not without getting wet!  Cody chose to engineer a foot bridge to go over the spring, and he did a great job drawing up plans, raising the funds, and working with and supervising the guys from 633 to get it installed this past weekend!

We came upon the group at their lunch break (which was the perfect time to get a group shot):

But they quickly finished up and headed back down the trail to work.

The group worked well together and it seemed like everyone had a specific job to do. We were told that they chose their troop number based on Matthew 6:33: But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. That's a group you want to have hanging around!

The finished project looks absolutely professional . . .

We are so grateful to Cody and the guys and families of BSA Troop 633 and hope they'll be back soon to enjoy their handiwork.

We hope you'll come down and enjoy their handiwork, too!

Boy Scout Troop 96 - Eagle Project

Boy Scout Troop 96 with leaders Bob and Mary, were up here this weekend to help with an Eagle Project. 

While there was already another group here we always try and accommodate as many groups as we can...we love to see the camp full! 

Out of the potential projects presented, Hayden Langewischk chose the one everyone one else had passed on.....probably because of the work involved. His project, which was to build a dock on Silty Bottom Pond, was a big one but they finished it this weekend. 

I must say they did an outstanding job. They first came in a few weeks ago and cleared the brush and small trees out of the area.  Then they came back and set the posts.  When the troop arrived on Friday, the project looked like this:

When they left on Sunday, however, it looked like this!

Awesome job! This is a huge asset for the camp and the work is of high quality.

We always love to see Troop 96 up here and they have become some of our most frequent visitors. In addition to the building of the dock, they did a little dutch oven badge work, too . . .

It must have been good!

Mary was a little limited as she had a walking boot on...delaying surgery until January before all the activity starts in the new year. We wish her a speedy recovery if we do not see her again before then !

Two Eagle Projects Completed!

The Camp has been the beneficiary of several Boy Scouts working on Eagle Scout projects this year.  The first project finish was one that's been near and dear to the heart of the camp -- taking the Nature Trail and adding tree/plant identification markers:

and over twenty birdhouses:

to the trail to make it of educational benefit.  The scout, Ethan Canup, has worked diligently for a year, working with a several different people to get this project completed and we're so excited!  We are very thankful for Ethan and Troop 8 for all the hard work and effort that went into getting the project finished.

The second project was completed by Neil Hudson from Troop 7004.  Neil chose a project that benefited the obstacle course.  Most folks when they come up don't even see the course, so Neil organized the building and installation of a large sign at the obstacle course entrance. Neil's troop came out to help him get the sign in the ground:

They did a great job!

So, two Eagle Projects are finished and several more are in the works!  We're so blessed to have the support from the Boy Scout community in Madison County!

Boy Scout Troop 8

This past weekend the camp played host to Boy Scout Troop 8.  This was a repeat visit for this troop and these scouts are hard core.  They stuck to the main campground, using their wiles, Dutch ovens and the campfire to do their cooking. 

 Both the main course *and* the desserts (especially) look terrific!

This three-day weekend was all about training, skills, and dexterity . . . and the guys had a blast.  There were tent-raising contests:

Carrying an 'injured scout' races:

Foot races:

Runs through the obstacle course:

And even sack races!

Both teams had fun and worked their hardest.

We so appreciate this troop and especially two of their members, Dow and Ethan Canup.

Ethan is working on his Eagle Scout and has undertaken the "Nature Trail" at the Camp as his project.

All in all it was a successful weekend, with the scouts learning a lot.

This group always has a good time and we look forward to them coming back soon!