Home.19 April 2001
Greetings to All.
This is a supplement to Newsletter #5, and summarizes today's site visit to Camp Wilson. There are a number of important info points; please read carefully.
I was asked by 2 Troops if I would be bringing down the equipment needed to run other Troops' events (that I listed in the Newsletter). The answer is definitely not! I am already overwhelming my van and trailer with the materials for the Cave Rescue, Obstacle Course, Flag Ceremonies, Campfire, PLC, and my personal gear. The reference to event equipment I have stored at my house is for those Troops who wish to borrow it from me as opposed to getting it independently. If such is your wish, please come get it the weekend before the Projectoree, by appointment (email me!)
1) The railroad bridge on Lorton Road has (finally) been completely rebuilt; thus, the reference to the narrow one lane road under the railroad tracks (in both set of directions) is no longer valid.
2) The Citgo gas station at the intersection of U.S. Rt 1 and Gunston Road has now mutated into a Texaco station. Again, please so note on your directions.
3) Several of the campsites in our traditionally used areas are marked "closed." However, we have formal permission from the Park to use these campsites (see, those service projects really do pay off!) So don't be confused if your assigned site is "closed." Assignments will be by small signs listing your Troop #, as usual; please look for your Troop #'s at road intersections on Friday afternoon/evening. Also as usual, we have tried to keep neighboring Troops in Arlington and McLean as (roughly) neighboring at the Projectoree.
4) Several of the campsites now have formal "parking spaces" which are outlined by logs. DO NOT USE THESE FOR PARKING! - As previously noted, we are very cramped for space, and these "parking spaces" are needed for tents and tarps. All parking must be in designated parking areas alongside the accesss road and Dining Hall; not in the campsites. No parking is allowed in the campsites (unloading is OK).
5) Picnic benches appear to be in short supply this year; if you have portable tables which you can bring (even just sheets of plywood and saw-horses), please do so. I am asking that all Troops be reasonable and try to divide the available tables in an equitable manner - at past Projectorees, we have occasionally had early bird Troops snag almost every picnic table in sight. That's not gonna work this year.
6) Fire-rings are also in short supply. I am currently trying to order 10 fire rings as a donation to the camp. If they come in, we're good to go; if not, I will notify everyone in the next Newsletter, with the suggestion to bring suitable rocks or DRY cinder blocks to make temporary firelays. Stay tuned....
7) In order to better accomodate the attending Troops, we will be dividing the staff area in half and placing one of the larger Units alongside the main access road in the traditional Staff area. As a result, everyone will need to be a little more conscious of not traipsing through another Troop's space when attending the PLC or staff meals.
8) There is a huge pile of firewood available in front of the comfort station this year. Note, however, that it's mostly pine (smoky fires!), and will also mostly need splitting. In fact, this looks like an ideal opportunity for Troops to run Totin Chip courses, as long as they are very conscious of safety (we don't want 75 Scouts all swinging axes in front of the Comfort Station!) Perhaps a good Sunday morning Troop advancement opportunity. Also Note: Swinging an axe is a great blister raiser; anyone who wishes to run Totin Chip should bring work gloves for their participants.
9) There are a number of bluebird houses around the camp - most of these were built as Eagle Scout Projects. However, we were today informed that several bluebird houses have been vandalized by - yep - Boy Scout groups camping nearby. [Every once in a while you just have to despair.] Anyway, please specifically ask your Scouts to leave these houses strictly alone; the bluebirds of Virginia are having a hard enough time already without this sort of ignorant behavior.
10) Our service project this year will be 2-part: First, we will be chainsawing and clearing several downed trees in the same area we worked in two years ago (to the left of the Comfort Station). Second, we will be completely digging out a raised bed garden (currently choked with weeds) and refilling it with potting soil. The garden is about 10 x 25 feet, so not too bad a job.
Note that I need at least one other competent Adult with a chainsaw to assist with this service project. If you can help, please email me.
That's it for now. 13 days to go....
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