Camp Acahela

This blog is about my experiences up here in NEPA but I felt like I needed to share one of Michael's experiences. It does have something to do with me.

My whole life Dad has been talking to me about Camp Acahela and how wonderful it was to be at Boy Scout camp there. I knew that the camp was close to my home, but I also knew that it was used mainly as a Cub camp now. So when Michael was given the opportunity to go there and be a leader for our church's Boy Scout trip on a rappelling trip, we were excited and I sent him there with the camera.

No wonder Dad talked about it! Be sure and click on these pictures so you can see all the flowering trees and details. That's the Lehigh River which runs through the camp.

So often when you go back to look at some place your parents raved about, it's smaller (or closer as in the three miles they walked to school in the snow) or disappointing in some other way. But this has got to be one of the most beautiful Scout camps anywhere.

Michael also saw a leader from another troop. Troop 1 of Honesdale, PA! This troop does go back to 1911. BSA doesn't recognize any troop in the US as being the first (it's too hard to call) but this is one of the very first.

So there you go. And when Dad looked at the pictures, it looked as he remembered it. Also something that doesn't happen every day. Some things are as good as you remember them.

Happy Birthday!

You would think we had enough birthdays this month what with my son, granddaughter and husband celebrating. But today marks a very important milestone and I, for one, am totally disappointed there wasn't a Google Doodle to celebrate it.

Today is the 100th anniversary of the Boys Scouts of America. This fine program has benefited my own family greatly. My dad became an Eagle in this valley in the 30s. He has fond memories of Camp Acahela which is still around today and is used for Cubs, I think. Michael loved Scouting and regrets that his troop disbanded while he was a Life Scout. Michael was one of the best Scoutmasters ever with many of his Scouts going on to get their Eagle Scout award. My son is also an Eagle Scout. One of the proudest moments of my life was when my dad gave my boy his Eagle award. And I would be remiss if I neglected the Eagle Scout who married into our family. Our N, who lives in the Czech Republic, is also an Eagle Scout and has already served in the Scouting program as a leader. His dad was also a fine Scoutmaster. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention my daughter and son-in-law in Utah who served as Cubmasters for one of the biggest packs known to man.

The picture? My son and his two buddies who all got their Eagle award. Michael started these three off as their eleven-year-old Scout leader. The dad of the young man on the left then served as their Scoutmaster. And the mom of the one on the right was in charge of advancements for our troop for many years and made sure these guys were on track right up through their Eagle board of reviews. What a great set of young men. 

The Scouting program touches many lives, not just the ones who attain the highest award. But once an Eagle, always an Eagle. It's good to know that there are men out there who can administer first aid, survive in the wild, practice water safety and other cool stuff. It's also good to know that they understand what citizenship, honor and integrity is all about.

So happy birthday, BSA. You deserved a Doodle, for sure.