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Camp Wilderness Cross Country Trail 1/2014
Winter 2015
Buck/Bad Axe Channel 1/2014
BlackFoot Cabin 1/2014 Meechgalanne Campfire Ring 1/2014
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President’s Message
Dear Members,
I hope you had good Holidays as we closed out 2014. Here are a couple of items you might find interesting that The Association is undertaking this year. First off, we had an awesome Christmas Party at Zorbaz in Park Rapids in December. It was a record number of attendees from both the current staff
and alumni. A great time was had by all, regardless of the amount of snow on the ground!
The executive board has decided to invest time and money into Camp Wilderness during Alumni Week. We are sponsoring a future Cub campsite, Lion. Lion was chosen as a name for the future campsite and was the past name of the rank of Webelos. Lion has been cleared out and seeded. During this year’s Alumni Week we are asking that the Alumni help with the construction of a shelter, latrine and bring running water to the future campsite. The goal would be for the campsite to be open for the 2016 camping season.
Looking down the road to 2016, the Alumni are looking at rebuilding Cabin 4. This would be in time for the 70th anniversary of Camp Wilderness and
10th Anniversary of Butler Wilderness Outpost. We are looking at spearheading this project with other groups who may have the same interest in the growth of camp. Let a board member know if you have any questions.
Once again, none of this could have been completed, without the help of those members and nonmembers who have contributed by helping out at the Fargo Dome selling concessions. Much appreciated to Bob and Barb for organizing those dates, a lot of the time at the last minute! If you are interested in helping in the future please let us know.
Here’s to 2015,
Steve
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2014 Alumni Achievement Award Recipients!
Jeff Brown, Perham, MN
Jeff has been involved in Camp Wilderness since he joined Dilworth Troop 652 in the late 1960’s. Jeff is an: Eagle Scout, OA member, member of the council’s Properties Committee and served as chairman of the Alumni Association. “Since his retirement, he has more time to donate to Camp Wilderness. You may find Jeff helping with registration for an event, washing dishes, emptying garbage cans, teaching a DNR firearms class or whatever job can use his help. He is quick to spot where help is needed, and quick to pitch in.”
Simonson Lumber and Hardware Grand Forks, ND Simonson has donated materials to Scout projects since 1977. The initial donations were for patrol boxes, table and benches for the 1977 National Jamboree. Since that time, they have donated to numerous projects to include: pinewood derby tracks, Cub Day Camp projects, Camp Wilderness carpet ball tables, and the list goes on and on. “Thank you to Simonson Lumber and Hardware Company for 37 years of donations. This helped dozens of Scouts to enjoy their Scouting experience.”
2015 Alumni Achievement Award Nominations http://www.northernlightsalumni.com/Downloads/Alumni%20Achievement%20Award%20Form.pdf Is there someone who you would like to nominate for consideration for this camp service, specific award? Please send your nominations by 6/1/2015 to:
Ron Schneider 817 South 36th Street Moorhead, MN 56560 (H) 218-236-5072 Email: [email protected]
From Left: Brian Norberg. Jeff Brown, Andy Kietzman
From Left: Norm Vanderpan, Mike Melby, Darrell Ferguson and Doug Vigen of Simonson Lumber, Ron Elliot
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Just For Fun : “Wilderness Camp” Map, circa late 1940’s
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1958 Wilderness Staff Quetico Canoe Trip
Lee Christianson
I was a camper at Wilderness Camps in 1952-1954 and a staff member in 1955-1956 and again
in 1958-1960 after the name was changed to Camp Wilderness. In 1961-1962 I guided canoe trips into
Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota at the
Charles H. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base outside of Ely, MN. The high points of my summers at
Wilderness in 1958-1960 were the canoe trips that we took in the Quetico at the ends of the summer
camp season. More than 50 years and over 50
Quetico trips have passed and my memories of
that first trip in 1958 are still quite vivid.
Joe Kieselbach was the driving force
behind these trips. He was on the Wilderness
staff in 1956-1958 and guided the Camp
Wilderness canoe trips in 1957 and1958 and had
attended the BSA National Camping School. He
had started taking canoe trips with staff members
at the end or the beginning of the Camp season
in 1956 and decided in 1958 to take trip in the Quetico. Thirteen of us staff members signed on to go
along, making a total party of 14.
The participants (and their staff positions) were: Tom Addicot (Trading Post Staff); Lee
Christianson (Campcraft Area); Bob Collins (Waterfront); Jack Conway (Catholic Chaplain); John
(Curly) Gilchrist (Kitchen Staff); Tom Hunt (Family Beach Director); Joe Kieselbach (Canoe Trip
Guide); Jim McCulloch (Rifle Range); John R. Mathias (Trading Post Staff); Dick? Mathison
(Protestant Chaplain); Jan Quam (Maintenance Staff); Hank Snavely (Waterfront); Dave (?) Sorgen
(Trading Post Staff); John (Dondi) Sulerud (Staff Position Unknown). Jack Conway & I were cooks,
Tom Addicot was quartermaster, Joe Kieselbach was leader and guide.
Joe and Tom Addicot had been on a canoe trip in the Quetico through Charles L. Sommers
Wilderness Canoe Base. The rest of us had done a bit of canoeing and camping, but nothing long-term
like this. Jack and I had worked in the Campcraft area at Wilderness that summer, giving cooking and
baking and camping demonstrations, and so we were assigned to be the cooks.
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Travel in Quetico Provincial Park was a bit different back in those days. The current maximum
party size in the Quetico is 9, but 1958 there was no limit, so our crew of 14 was not unusual. There
were no restrictions on motors and so one encountered canoes with noisy motors throughout the Park.
We saw a houseboat and several large motor boats along the border between Ontario and Minnesota.
We found one large cache of gas barrels near one of our campsites and I have since heard there were
several others scattered through the Park. PFDs were rarely worn while paddling in those days and, in
fact, were commonly not even carried in the canoes. Camping stoves were not common and all cooking
was done in hanging pots over an open fire built in a U-shaped rock fire place. We baked pies or
biscuits or cake in a reflector oven every night. Freeze-dried foods did not exist, but we did have some
of the specialized dry food items that can be found in the local supermarket now. Air mattresses and
sleeping pads were usually left at home and we slept on a canvas ground cloth on the ground.
We got a lot of technical assistance from
Ray White, a former Wilderness staff member and
Sommers guide. He was at Wilderness for a
weekend and gave a quick seminar on what to
take canoeing and how to pack it: rolling the
army surplus woolen sleeping bags that most of us
used at that time (mine cost $3.50 including the
cotton cover and I used it for 19 canoe trips);
carrying items in small military-surplus
rubberized ditty bags from REI; tying all ditty bags and food bags with a double overhand knot because
it was secure and easy to untie; carrying a table spoon, cup and plate as your only utensils; not taking
changes of clothes other than dry shoes and one pair of extra socks; not carrying tent stakes and using
rocks at tent corners; carrying only a rain jacket because your pants will always be wet anyway; always
removing the reel from fishing rod & carrying it in the pack when not actually fishing; taking only a
small pocket-sized metal tackle box.
We all tried to live up to Ray White’s “3-piles” strategy for personal equipment. Before you go
you arrange everything you might take into three piles: Pile 1 – all the things you think you can’t
possibly do without (matches, boots, etc.); Pile 2 – all the things that you think you will need (extra
underwear, etc.); Pile 3 – all the things that your mother would like you to take (overshoes, pajamas,
etc.). Then you throw away all of piles 3 and 2 and half of pile 1 and take what’s left. After 55 years, I
am still using many of the camping techniques we learned from Ray White and Joe Kieselbach.
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We had six Alumacraft canoes and one wood-and-canvas Old Town or Thompson. We picked
the best one of the camp’s wooden canoes and made sure it was in the best possible condition and fitted
it with a portage yoke. We thought it was rather heavy, but it paddled well and didn’t leak a drop. The
Alumacrafts were short (15 ft), wide (38”) and weighed about 85 pounds. We had constructed well-
padded portage yokes for them that clamped to the gunwales over the center thwart. (When I walked
around Wilderness 8 or 10 years ago I
found a couple of those old
Alumacraft canoes with the 1959
Quetico Blue Jay stamp still attached
in the inside of the hull just forward of
the bow seat.) We borrowed two new
7x9 canvas wall tents from the camp
and one two-person mountain tent.
We had a few canvas Duluth packs
and army surplus rucksacks left over from Wilderness’ “Trails” programs and we borrowed those along
with kettles and utensils and a reflector oven from camp as well. We ordered trail packets of dried food
from Seidel’s, the same company that had supplied Wilderness’ “Trails” programs in the past. Some
other foods such as raisins, rice, oatmeal, sugar, Rye Krisp, peanut butter, etc. we got free from the camp
kitchen. With all our equipment and supplies borrowed from Wilderness or scrounged from friends and,
since gas was only about $0.20 per gallon in those days, I think the entire 11-day trip cost each of us
something like $10-$12.
We left camp in the morning after the Wilderness closing banquet and arrived at the parking lot
at the Moose Lake Public Landing outside of Ely, MN in the late afternoon. Another crew of older-
teenaged boys was just coming in from a trip when we arrived and they all threw their paddles down on
the rocks and broke them, vowing never to take another canoe trip. It had been much more difficult than
they had ever expected and they’d had a very miserable time. It made us wonder what we were getting
into.
Since we arrived so late in the day, we only went a couple miles down Moose Lake before we
made camp. We had stopped on an island just beyond Sommers Canoe Base and Joe and another person
went back to Sommers in the evening to ask the guides for information about our route and received
assurance that we could do our trip in the eleven days we had planned. And the next morning we were
off down the chain of lakes to the border and into Canada!
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Our first portage was Prairie Portage on the old border route between Sucker and Basswood
lakes. One’s first portage is always memorable experience. This portage is fairly level and only a
couple hundred yards long, but still can be quite a shock to someone who has never done a portage
before. The portage seemed very difficult to me and I remember stopping part way across because of
the pain in my shoulders.
On the far side of Prairie Portage are Canadian Customs and the Quetico Ranger Station where
fishing licenses are issued. I don’t remember personally going to either of these places at that time, but I
presume that each of us must have. I also don’t know if there was an entry fee for Quetico Park at this
time. I remember that we were not required to buy registration stickers for the canoes until the 1959
trip, but it might be that the sticker rule had been in affect
before, but no one told us about it.
We fought wind and waves across Bayley Bay of
Basswood Lake along the border to get to the sandy beach at
the portage to Burke Lake. The portage is wide and flat with
good footing and one could ride a bicycle across it. Our first
lunch was at Singing Brook Portage between Burke and
Sunday lakes. Facing us after lunch were the Meadows
Portages. We had heard about these two portages from Ray
White and did not look forward to them. The first portage is
880 yards going into Meadows Lake, followed by a paddle of
about 100 yards which leads to a second portage of 770 yards leading into Agnes Lake. The opening of
the first portage is visible from well back on Sunday Lake and one tends to look at it and worry for quite
a period of time. The trail is relatively flat, but there are a lot of rocks and the footing can be precarious.
I remember it being quite a trek on the first day of a trip and that I was the last one to get to Agnes Lake.
A short distance up Agnes Lake we came to the famous Louise Falls. The portage is very steep,
but not too long if you take the correct trail up the south side. We, however, had landed on the campsite
on the north side and never noticed the trail on the south side. We carried the canoes straight up through
the bush with groups of 3-4 people and handed them up from one group to another over the really steep
sections. It is the highest falls in the Park, but is better noted for the natural bathtub formed about ¾ of
the way up the falls. All the aches and pains of the portages vanish in a cold whirlpool bath.
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Second night’s camp was on the W side of Louisa Lake shortly after we got off the Louisa Falls
portages. I’ve looked for the campsite several times and have never found it again. It was in a spruce
grove and someone in the past had built a wind break of woven spruce branches on the N side of the fire
place. We built the fire from spruce branches and pitchy smoke turned the tops of the biscuits in the
reflector oven green. We ate them enthusiastically anyway and I don’t recall anyone complaining.
The route continued up though the portages of Fauquier and the Falls Chain to run the rapids at
Kawnipi Forks. We fished all day at the log jam at Chatterton Falls. Followed the route of the old
Dawson Road through Sturgeon Lake along the north side of Hunter’s Island. Down the historic
Maligne River past the rapids where John Tanner was shot and on to Lac La Croix past Warrior Hill and
back along the border past Rebecca and Curtain falls and through Cooked Lake. Up the Basswood
River past the pictographs at Arrows-in-the-Rock and back onto Basswood Lake and south to the
parking lot at Moose Lake where our car keys had waited beneath a convenient rock. Lots of fun and
good experiences. We had done 49 portages in our 11 days and were quite proud of all our
accomplishments.
We did Quetico trips again in 1959 and 1960. There were four of us who became guides at
Sommers Canoe Base based on the experiences we had on the Wilderness trips. I always hoped that
there would be a tradition of these trips extending through the years, but I lost track of time and
Wilderness across the years and never heard whether these trips continued.
============================================================
President Steve Lyman 2014‐2015 Adhoc, Bylaws Chris Soper Chad Swenson
Executive Secretary Sid Davis Alumni Achievement Ron Schneider
Board Member Bill Beyer Camp History Bob Rezac
Board Member Chuck Ensign Fall Fellowship Jim & Janice Porter
Board Member David Pederson Membership Chris Soper
Open House Neil Litton
Publications Steve Shark
Staff Scholarship Martin Schrage
Staff Week Matt & Jodi Saari
The Board The Chairs
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The Interview
Andrew Fugleberg Did you attend Camp Wilderness as a Scout? Yes, I attended camp for 5 years as a scout, and one year as a Cub Scout (before Camp Butler opened) because both my parents were adult leaders and I couldn’t stay home alone. When I went as a Cub Scout I couldn’t actually take any merit badges, so I played around at Scoutcrafts all day.
How many years have you been on staff at Camp Wilderness? I’ve worked at camp for 3 years in the Scoutcrafts area, and I was a C.I.T in 2011.
Funniest moment at camp?
There are so many moments at camp that make me laugh, so it’s hard to pick only one. During my second year on staff, there was one week where I was in charge of an open time activity where scouts built trebuchets to launch soccer balls. When the scouts and I tested the first trebuchet successfully built, the ball flew backwards instead of in the direction we intended. Unfortunately, my face was in the path of the ball and I was knocked on my back. All the scouts were laughing hysterically, and I found the humor in it once the swelling in my face went away.
Most moving experience at camp? My second year at camp, an 11 year old girl named Elizabeth came to camp with her troop. Since she wasn’t officially a member of the Boy Scouts of America, she couldn’t get merit badges. She reminded me a lot of myself because I was in a similar situation when I was 10. She participated in classes all day at Scoutcrafts and ‘earned’ four merit badges (Pioneering, Woodcarving, Basketry, and Leatherwork). At the end of the week, she got the “Scoutcrafts Supervisor” award because even though she couldn’t get the merit badges, we felt she deserved something for all her hard work. About a week later, the Scoutcrafts staff got a handmade popup letter with a picture of Elizabeth holding her award and all the things she made in Scoutcrafts. She wrote us an amazing thank you note and I still have it with me. I know that our area staff really made her week special.
Favorite campsite and/or location in camp? In an unsurprising turn of events, Scoutcrafts is my favorite area on camp. I’ve loved the area ever since my first day on camp, and I visit the area as often as possible outside of summer camp. I’ve never really felt attached to a campsite, but Scoutcrafts has always felt like home.
Favorite Dining Hall meal? Unlike the rest of camp, I absolutely cannot stand biscuits and gravy. Spaghetti day is my kinda day.
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Favorite summer camp activity? During the week, the Wilderness Survival class would conduct an overnighter somewhere in the woods, and since I have always been the teacher of that class, I would go along. I’ve been doing the Wilderness Survival overnighter for three years and I’ve made so many memories helping scouts build shelters and lying on the ground. We’ve camped out in several locations and some nights have been
laden with rain and freezing temperatures, but I wouldn’t give it up for anything.
What are you doing school/work wise, when not at camp? I’m currently a senior at May‐Port CG High School, and I’ll be attending NDSU next year (Go Bison). The only job I have involves cat sitting and dog sitting for various people throughout the year. At NDSU I plan on majoring in microbiology with an emphasis in pre veterinary studies. After getting my masters degree, I’ll be going to graduate school and getting my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
What would you tell someone that is considering working on camp staff, but still not sure? I would tell them that working on camp staff is one of the most worthwhile things you can do with your summer. Unfortunately, it’s not for everyone. Personally, i’ve gotten so much out of my time at camp, and I learn new things everyday. If someone is considering working on staff, I would tell them to at least try it out. Working on staff involves giving up a lot during the summer, but it also involves gaining the experience of a lifetime.
Alumni Association Upcoming Events & Dates 2/3/15 Alumni Social: Old Chicago Fargo 6:30‐9:00PM
3/3/15 Alumni Social: Old Chicago Fargo 6:30‐9:00PM
3/22/15 Administrative Board Conference Call 7:00 pm
4/7/15 Alumni Social: Old Chicago Fargo 6:30‐9:00PM
5/5/15 Alumni Social: Old Chicago Fargo 6:30‐9:00PM
5/17/15 Administrative Board Conference Call 7:00 pm
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Claire Beach Campership Fund
In honor and memory of Claire Beach (Camp Ranger 80‐89) we are organizing a Campership in his name. If you would like to add to the Campership please send your contributions to the Center for Scouting with the instructions to be added to the Claire Beach Memorial or contact Chad Swenson. The Campership is a fund that is administered to allow Scouts to attend Camp Wilderness that would be financially unable to attend otherwise.
Claire’s Obit: Claire C. Beach, 91, of Lincoln, passed away on Friday, Dec. 26, 2014. He was born on September 24, 1923 in Barnes City, Iowa
to Howard and Opal Beach. WWII veteran of the U.S. Navy. Avid outdoorsman. Finishing his career as a Boy Scout camp ranger. Co‐editor of the Weeping Water Republican from the 1940's to the 1960's.
Survivors: wife of 71 years, JoAnn. Son, Lani (Bev) Beach. Daughters, Lauren Merrifield and Barbara (Brad) Loos. Five grandchildren and five great grandchildren from Nebraska to Sweden. Sister, Betty (Paul) Rotenbery. Preceded in death by parents, brother, Kenneth and sister, Barbara.
Funeral service: 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 So. 14th Street, Lincoln. Visitation: one hour prior to the service. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be directed to the Boy Scouts of America. Arrangements by Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Condolences can be left at lincolnfh.com
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A History of Camp Chan 0wapi 1929‐1949
(Missouri Valley Council Camp, prior to Heart Butte)
Compiled by Bob Schaible, Bismarck Date: August 20, 2003
From a published 1995 paper entitled "An Era Past, Welcome to Wildwood" by Jean Binsfeld and Wanda
Tjenstrom,Washburn: Newspaper articles printed in the Washburn Leader in 1930 and Bismarck Tribune in
1952: and information gathered by talking to Kermit Lidstrom, Troop 51, 1946 Eagle Scout of Mandan, camper in
1943; John Sakariassen, Troop 51, Mandan, camper in 1943; Ronald W. "Bert" Wheeler, Troop 2, 1938 Eagle
Scout, camper in 1935 and 1936; Richard "Dick" Fevold, Troop 5, 1940 Eagle Scout,, camper in 1938 and 1939;
and Bob "Bouty" Boutrous, former Troop 11,camper in 1938 and 1939; Bob Ritterbush, Troop 2; George Will,
Troop 3, 1940 Eagle Scout; Roy Towne, Troop 6,1943 Eagle Scout; John Wagner, Troop 6, 1943 Eagle Scout;
Doug McDowell, Troop 6; and Duncan Perry, Troop 2, 1938 Eagle Scout. Information also comes from the
McLean County Recorder of Deeds office, county maps from the North Dakota Department of Transportation;
Doug Emerson, U.S. Geological Survey; and Jim Lindseth, North Dakota State Water Commission.
^ = (trees surrounded the lake and cabins.)
Camp Chan‐O‐Wapi was located 14 miles north
on Painted Woods (River) Road (Highway 1804)
from the Memorial Bridge, then turn left ‐ west ‐
and travel 1/2 mile west into the camp on a tree
lined road. Scouters also took Highway 83 north to
Wilton, traveled 8.5 miles west, 1 mile north, and a
1/2 mile west of Wilton.
Camp Chan‐O‐Wapi sat on 20 acres of land, and
was located on the southeast corner of Wildwood
Lake, a small lake of perhaps 20 acres in size, and
not very deep. The camp is approximately 1/4 mile
from the Missouri River on SE 1/4 of Section 29,
Township 143 N, Range 81 W. The lake filled from
spring run‐offs from 4 to 5 sections of land, and
during periodic floods along the Missouri River
when the river overflowed its' banks. One of the
worst floods happened in 1952, causing a lot of
damage to the Scout camp and to the other
buildings surrounding Wildwood Lake. During dry
years, water was pumped 800 feet from the
Missouri river into Wildwood Lake.
Fifteen privately owned cabins were located on
the north and west side of the lake and used for
summer vacation homes and fall hunting cabins.
One cabin owned by Judge A. M. Christianson, was
built on the only peninsula in the lake and faced the
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Boy Scout waterfront. North Dakota Supreme Court
Justice Christianson would become the first person
to receive the Silver Beaver Award in 1931 from the
Missouri Valley Boy Scout Council. That award is for
adults for their service and devotion to Scouting.
Building Camp From The Ground Up
Scouts from Washburn first went to Chan Owapi
in 1929. There were no buildings on the site. That
year scouters started constructing the first
buildings. A Mess Hall, director's cabin and three
scout cabins were built. There was a large building
for a Mess Hall, perhaps 28' X 40', where
approximately 72 people could eat at one setting. In
the mess hall only one cook made the meals. She
made meals for everyone three times a day. No one
went hungry. The camp also had a smaller director's
cabin. The only kerosene lights in camp were in the
director cabin and the mess hall. The cook ordered
50 #s of ice every day to keep her food cold as
there was no refrigeration. Camp Fire girls and
other organizations also used the camp in the early
1930's.
In the early 1930's, some scouts slept in cabins
and others slept in tents of WWI vintage, with a
wood floor and canvas walls. Some tents had a
leaky canvas roof. Scouts soon learned which tent
to choose to keep a dry bedroll. The last scout
cabins were built in 1942. Over time, a total of 9
smaller cabins, 16' X 16', were built for scouts and
replaced the canvas tents. Seventh‐two scouts
could attend camp each week during the four week
camping season.
In 1939, the camp built a fairly large activities
center, 28' X 60', easily the largest building in camp.
It had a high ceiling with a cupola on top. Only
games that didn't require a lot of ceiling space could
be played there. All buildings had shutters that
lifted up, kept there by a cord, with the window
covered with a screen, and the only means of
ventilation in those buildings. The parade grounds
held the flag poles and had room for other outdoor
activities like baseball or kittenball (softball), volley
ball, touch ball, basket ball, horse shoes and track.
During the week tournaments were held in the
different sporting events
World War II
In the late 1930's, some Scouts remember going
to camp in their Scout leaders or family vehicles.
During World War II, some Scouts rode in back of a
two ton truck to camp over dusty roads. Speed
limits at the time were 35 miles per hour. Traveling
to and from camp could easily take 1 hour each.
Typically scouts came from Bismarck and Mandan.
Scouts from Glen Ullin and Hebron and many towns
throughout the southwest went to camps situated
along local rivers rather than traveling to Chan‐
0wapi.
The Scout Executive, Quentin Gonser, from the
Missouri Valley Council, was Camp Director in 1943
and this writer suspects that he drove the truck to
get scouts to the camp during the war. As
mentioned, there were small cabins‐only one patrol
would fit in each cabin. Steel army cots with springs,
covered with mattresses, were their beds.
Since gas rationing was in place during the war,
the scouts and their personal gear had to ride in
one vehicle or in the back of the truck. Personal
gear consisted of a bed roll with two rolled up
blankets, one pair of blue jeans, a scout shirt, scout
cap or campaign hat, scout neckerchief, a swim suit,
towel, and underwear and toiletry items. Usually
there were hand‐me‐downs from older brothers.
Scouts always wore a scout shirt in camp. A new full
uniform cost $4.95. Clothes were very aromatic
upon return to their homes after one week at camp.
Moms had a huge task washing clothes after their
sons returned from camp.
During the war, young men that we're high
school graduates were gone, and there were few
older scouts in camp. A small number of staffers,
Junior Officers (counselors) were 15 or 16, barely
older than the scouts. On occasion, the Junior
Officers swan to the west side of the lake to go to
15
the Pavilion, located just west of the private cabins.
There were dances there, as well as roller skating
and other activities that included girls. Naturally,
the Junior Officers got into trouble when they got
caught. That was the extent of the staff. During the
war few men between the ages of 18 to 40
remained in North Dakota, which also meant there
were few adults serving as scout leaders in any
troop.
In later years scouts troops from Beulah, Mott,
McLaughlin, McClusky and other towns started to
attend Camp Chan Owapi.
Daily Activities
A swimming test was given to scouts on Sunday
when the scouts arrived in camp. The beach and
water front consisted of a muddy bottom and shore
that usually packed down during camp. There were
several canoes and row boats on hand for scouts
use that were later used for races. About 75 feet
off‐shore, a large floating raft with a ladder, was
anchored for the scouts to enjoy the water sports.
Swimming and water safety was the main activity
and primary concern. Jr. Officers were posted on
the dock, in the life guard tower, and on the floating
raft. Scouts had to check in on a board when they
entered the water front and check out when they
left the water front. Scouts learned about the
"Buddy System" and had to "buddy‐up" every four
to five minutes while in the water. Boutrous
remembers that three scouts had to be in the
buddy system. Boutrous also remembers swimming
across the lake with his buddies and having cabin
owners on the west side of the lake having to sign a
document that he reached the far side of the lake.
Scouts went swimming twice a day‐morning and
afternoon. This served in place of daily showers.
Hiking to the Missouri River and along its' banks was
a favorite activity. Overnight hikes were part of the
weekly routine as well and all scouts went on those
hikes.
The usual merit badges were taught by Junior
Officers (counselors.) Water merit badges included
Swimming, Canoeing, Small Boat Sailing, and,
Lifesaving. Fishing was offered, with scouts usually
catching bull heads, perch and an occasional
northern pike. Toward the end of summer the lake
starting turning green from the algae that grew in
the shallow lake. Outdoor merit badges that were
offered included Hiking, Tree study, Path finding,
Bird Study, Pioneering, Orienteering, and Camping,
Leatherworks were taught in the Activities Lodge
and lanyards were made. Other merit badges
included Indian Lore and First Aid.
After each meal, the scouts took their plates to
the back of the mess hall where they would wash
their own dishes. Scouts learned the importance of
clean dishes and using soap and water when doing
dishes. A "camel", two 55 gallons drums built on a
stand, had warm water from a fire built
underneath. The barrels had pipes coming out of
each side that scouts could open with a turn, and
warm water would trickle over their washed
utensils. Scouts would then rinse off there own
eating utensils by placing them in a dunk bag and
rinse them under hot water from the other barrel.
Then the scouts hung their eating utensils out to dry
near or in their cabin.
Patrol leaders were in charge of their own patrol
at camp during the war and the main contact for
the Camp Director. That was the extent of troop
leadership. No other adults were around because of
the war.
Some scouts snuck off to the "washout", about
two blocks from the camp, that had cooler water
than the lake, and wasn't muddy. Of course, it was
off‐limits. Scouts heard the rumor that the
"Washout" had cold water and didn't have a
bottom. They were very grateful for the clear, cool
water, and tried not to get caught by the Junior
Officers.
Younger scouts went to camp because older
scouts told them how much fun they would have.
16
Younger scouts usually held older scouts in high
esteem. When the scouts arrived at camp they had
to walk from the parking lot to their cabin, carrying
their own gear. It was a relatively short walk. The
scouts did not have carry troop equipment.
Scouts would spend one or two weeks at camp
with a cost of perhaps $8.00 a week ‐ $6.00 during
the war years. Obviously, that fee went up in later
years. The war took all the extra family cash. The
scouts also paid weekly dues and sometimes that
was difficult and perhaps kept young men from
going into scouting. When the camping season was
over, the scouts were hauled back home. After the
boy's camping season, the Girl Scouts moved into
Camp Chan‐0‐Wapi. Sadly, Boy Scouts used the
camp for the last time in 1949.
A typical day might have consisted of breakfast at
7:00; Flag raising at 8:00; merit badges classes
starting at 8:30; lunch at 12:00; merit badge classes
at 1:00; supper at 6:00; and Flag retirement at 7:00.
Evenings were also filled with baseball and other
games. Later, campfires were held every night.
Camp fires were held in the Activities Lodge when
as darkness descended and patrols had campfires
after that. Wheeler still remembers old scout songs
he sang at camp. Campfires consisted of favorite
skits, stunts, songs, stories and cheers. Sometimes
scouts played hi‐jinks like snipe hunting, a favorite
game, played on younger scouts after the
campfires.
On Sunday, church services were held for scouts
of different religions.
Camp Safety
The camp had a water well for use by the cooks
and scouts to wash their hands before meals.
On some occasions, a doctor from Bismarck was
in camp and he would give physicals at camp or
check the physical form when camp opened.
Otherwise, there was no physician on staff. A nurse
was on staff during the week. There was First Aid
Station (tent) in camp. Medical checks were also
completed by doctors in town before the scouts
came to camp. Lidstrom does not remember taking
the scout physical but Sakariassen does. Some of
the men remember well the mosquitoes, ticks,
poison ivy, and snipes that seemed to haunt the
very young scouts.
There was no adult supervision in camp as adults
were at home on their job. Nor was there a parent's
night during the scout week because of the gas
rationing. Parents got 5 gallons a month because of
gas rationing.
Order of the Arrow
The scouts had an Order of the Arrow "call out"
at camp, usually on Friday. Scouts were tapped out
and taken to secret spots for an overnight stay for
part of their induction into the Order. Lidstrom
remembered well the evening he was inducted into
the Order of the Arrow. He was given the Indian
name of "Red Hoof" and still has the OA card
presented to him by Scout Executive Gonser.
The Final Chapter of Camp Chan Owapi
In the early 1950's, Garrison Dam was built and
the Missouri River flooding stopped filling
Wildwood Lake. The dam was completed in 1954.
The former lake today is not what the Scouts
remember. The buildings were sold at auction in the
fall of 1952. The large Activities Building now is
located about 1/3 mile south of the junction of Hwy
1804 and US 83. The other buildings were sold and
moved to Wilton, Washburn and nearby farms.
Other than concrete foundations of former building
sites, nothing else remains of Camp Chan‐O‐Wapi
and the area is overgrown with trees and
vegetation. The land was deeded to the Missouri
Valley Council in March, 1966 and sold in 1981 to
Gilbert E. Key and Sandra Hellickson‐Key. The camp
grounds and the center of the Boy Scout camp are
now used for a vegetable garden.
The lake doesn't flood anymore and has now
become a marsh and a haven for wildlife and
waterfowl.
17
WASHBURN LEADER (NEWSPAPER)
(Retyped from June 20, 1930 edition)
MISSOURI SLOPE SCOUTS TO CAMP
Scout Executives Urges Attendance for all Slope Scouts
Boys of the Missouri Slope are eligible to attend
the Boy Scout camp at Wildwood Lake to attend the
Boy Scout camp at Wildwood Lake near Washburn,
N. D. The camp is operated by the camp committee
of the Missouri Valley, Boy Scouts of America and is
open to all boys of scout age in the area.
A varied and elective program of activities to
advance in the regular scoutcraft requirements, at
will at the same time give him opportunity to
participate and indulge in hobbies that interest him
most. The program will be made up of adventure,
thrills and clean wholesome activity. Swimming will
be conducted under the direction of W. G. Fulton,
who is a registered American Red Cross life saving
examiner and instructor . Boating next to swimming
is probably the most popular sport at camp. Four
new boats will be available for use of the scouts.
Instruction is given to all boys who want it in the
proper method of handling a boat.. One night each
period, the whole camp embarks on an overnight
hike for lots of fun at the "'washout." Nature study
takes some time at the camp every day, and the
situation of the camp makes bird study, animal
study, tree study and flower study available all
summer long. Handicraft instruction is given in
leathercraft, archery, rope‐making, neckerchief
slides, tincraft, woodcarving and perhaps others.
Scoutcraft instruction will be given to all scout
subjects with a real opportunity to advance in rank
and to earn merit badges while in camp.
In addition, the games, the camp fires, the songs,
the yells, the stunts and the good fellowship of the
camp and, oh boy, the eats go to make up a real
camp week.
Any boy is safe at Chan Owapi. The strictest care is
taken of him while at camp. Every boy is required to
have a physical examination before coming to
camp. The water that is used for drinking purposes
is tested weekly by the state health department.
Pasteurized milk is always used. Proper garbage
disposals, fly‐proof mess hall, regularity of habit,
sanitary patrols, good food, properly cooked, and
daily tent and personal inspections keep the camp
and boy always clean.
The water front program is carried on the "Buddy
System". The system requires that scouts go into
the water in pairs and a check up is made every
three minutes by the buddies. When a buddy is
missing, the whole gang come out of the water
instantly and makes a chain to find him in case he is
under water. However, in the two years at Camp
Chan Owapi we have had no serious accident of any
kind in the water or out. This buddy system is the
safest plan of water protection that we know of. A
camp nurse will be charge of the camp hospital
which has been very finely equipped by the
Woman's Community Council at Bismarck.
Camp will open for its first scout period on June
24, and will operate for four straight weeks, each
week being one camp period. The camp fee is $8.00
per scout. He is required to pay $1.00 with his
application and the balance on his arrival at camp.
Fifty boys will be taken each week. Applications
will be accepted in the order of their receipt at the
scout executive's office in Bismarck. Everything is
furnished by the boy with the exception of his eats
and his "lodging". The scouts are divided into
patrols on their arrivals at camp and live during the
week in tents, sleeping on army cots. The camp plot
is situated on Wildwood Lake and is ideally located
for swimming. A large bay makes for ideal place for
beginners.
Anyone interested in sending their boy to Chan
Owapi should write immediately to W. G. Fulton,
Scout Executive at Bismarck, N.D.
18CJS 14-Jun-2014 When complete send to: Alumni Achievement Committee Chair: 4200 19th Ave South, Fargo, ND 58103
NOMINATION FOR ALUMNI
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
NOTE: The nomination is confidential. To avoid possible disappointment, please do not advise nominee in any way of your action in his or her behalf.
TO THE ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS CAMPS ALUMNI ACHIEMENT AWARD COMMITTEE:
It is a pleasure to present for your consideration for the ALUMNI ACHIEMEMNNT AWARD:
Name: _____________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
City or Town: _____________________________ Zip: _________
The noteworthy service upon which this nomination is based follows:
(Furnish as much information as possible. For example years on paid staff, years of volunteer staff, staff positions, volunteer positions, and special contributions to camp including program development and resources. Use additional pages as needed.)
Date of Nomination Name and phone number of person making nomination
CJS 14-Jun-2014
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Alumni Achievement Award is an award presented by the Northern Lights Council Camps Alumni Association.
The award is available to people who render service of an outstanding and considerable nature to the Northern Lights Council camps on all levels over an extended period of time.
The award is made available annually on the basis of 1 award per year. However, the committee can choose to present the award to two or more individuals or a group.
It is not appropriate to nominate an individual who is already received this award.
This award is open to any individual regardless of scouting registration. A nominee is not limited to camp staff alumni.
REQUIREMENTS
A nominee must have rendered noteworthy service to all the Northern Lights Council camping properties.
The nominee’s attitude toward all camp properties owned by the Northern Lights Council, past and present, shall be taken into consideration.
Consideration must be given to the nominee’s service position and the corresponding opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the expectations of that position.
Nominations cannot be considered for posthumous awards.
PROCEDURE
Annually, the President of the Northern Lights Council Alumni Association will appoint a chairman to the Alumni Achievement Award committee. The chairman will then solicit no less than five persons to serve on the committee. The committee will consider all candidates and make recommendations of those to receive the award to the Alumni Association Board.
The Alumni Association Board then approves the recommendation of the committee and informs the committee of the approval. In the case where the nominee is not approved by the board, the committee shall present another candidate.
The final recommendation to the board shall be completed no later than July 4th of each year. Recognition shall occur within six months of the final recommendation.
The Alumni Achievement Award committee shall then be responsible for updating the recognition plaques(s) and the creation of the plaque given to the recipient.
The following procedures are suggested for such presentation ceremonies:
a. Consideration should be given to the location and timing relating to the service of the individual.
b. Care should be given such that the presenter and presentation of the award will add significant meaning to the recipient.
c. A suitable plaque for each recipient should be prepared conveying the individuality of the individual and the uniqueness of their service.
d. A picture shall be included in the association archives. Recognition shall be promulgated thorough the council and alumni association members.
Aurora Winter 2015
In This Issue:
Retro Camp Wilderness Map
President’s Message
Reflections from 50’s/60’s
Andrew Fugleberg Interview
Alumni Achievement Awards
Much More!
Alumni Association of the Northern Lights Camps Northern Lights Council BSA 4200 19th Ave South Fargo, ND 58103
www.northernlightsalumni.com “Staff Today, Alumni Forever”