Preface
The following account, written by John Edelmann, Staff Assistant
Senior Patrol Leader of the first Brownsea 22 Training Camp, details some events leading
up to the week, as well as a daily record of this first training program, held at Camp
Arrowhead, Tri-State Area Council (TSAC). This
account was actually written nearly a month after the end of the camp, said account having
been started on August 31, 1979 and represents a 20+ page excerpt spanning two separate
volumes of diaries recorded by the author.
Keep in mind that the
following is recorded from the point of view of a 17 year old, thrust into an unexpected
position of program director for a training program that had never previously been
conducted by this particular Council.
In the following, the program is referred to as BA-II, Brownsea
22, and BA-II-I, all of which are used to name the first such program held at TSAC. Annotations and comments other than those
originally in the text are placed in brackets [] throughout. Emphasis placed
throughout are rendered as close to the original handwriting, as far as possible.
And so we begin.
Brownsea 22 is a name for a training camp for boys, in “All Out
for Scouting” movement, Phase II.
It is a reenactment of Baden-Powell’s first Camp for Boys
on Brownsea Island, England, in 1904, the first Scout camp in history.
June 29th, 1979
Order of the Arrow Executive Committee – TSAC Office
– Huntington Wva.
Mike Walton, BA-II program director mentioned that the BA-II camp site was up in the air. Quite a heated argument developed between him and
Archie Hayes, for you see, the latter is the Camp [Arrowhead] director. Well, Cub Camp was in progress and Brownsea II was
moved in on their schedule. Well, Walton
didn’t get very excited, since he had a few tricks up his sleeve…
Story of the 1st Brownsea 22 of TSAC
Friday, July 20th, 1979
We arrived there at 7:15 or 7:30. But I was just about lost! I couldn’t find anyone else that was
connected with BAII (Brownsea II). Well, you
see, this week was the first week of cub scout day camp.
Friday PM, there was a campfire. Well,
since no one had arrived to help in my plight, I went down to the campfire. However, just before, I had gotten in touch with
Bob Weiler, who was the BAII Senior Patrol Leader (staff). He told me the staff was
camping up in the Chief Cornstalk site. Well,
I carried my gear up to the campsite, and then went to the campfire.
This was quite nice, though I was wondering where in the world
Mike Walton was. After the campfire, I went
back up to my tent. Then, when I came back to
the mess hall, I found, much to my surprise, Mike Walton, sitting down.
In as much as I was quite perplexed by this time, I was rather
forward in asking where he’d been. He
proceed to tell me how horrible the day had been… His truck had broken down a
multitude of times, and he had been discussing the camp problem with Jack Brun, the
assistant council executive. So, in other
words, the situation simply could not have been helped.
Well at about 10:30 or 11:00 pm, we all went up to a tent to
talk (the staff, consisting of Mike Walton, Bob Kelly and Bob Weiler; Kelly will be the
Leadership Corp. leader; one other, Dewey Ball had not arrived yet) over various things. Mr. Walton told us how each of us was “picked
to do a certain duty or job.” I inquired about Church for the weekend and found out
Weiler was going in town Saturday evening for Mass.
After our talk, we adjourned (12:15-12:30 or so) and I went to
Cornstalk by myself (everyone else slept elsewhere).
Saturday, July 21st
Today, I did a great deal of nothing, as far as the morning was
concerned. After an “exciting”
breakfast, I ran all over everywhere, waiting for something indicating something was
starting, but this never came.
However, Mike and I did go down to the Reception shelter and
talk.
Well after several hours of nothing, Weblos Weekend (Father and
Son) started.
Jim Hosier, a Scout Master for Woodbadge, was there for this. He is also linked in with BA-II.
Well in the later morning, a man named Tommy Tomelson arrived
on the scene.
(He is a retired boatman, a member of the Council Executive
Board. He is a very good friend of Mike’s
– sort of a father-type character – very logical, as well as full of common
sense.)
His duty was to make sure things ran right, as Course Advisor.
Well, that afternoon, I helped Mike make the ribbons to be worn
by the boys to be put on the shoulders for identification.
Also, we constructed the “wolve’s teeth” necklaces. It was while we were doing this, that I found out
my duty – I am the (Staff) Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, next in command to Bob
Weiler. Also, because I am a “stickler
for detail” (what? Oh well…) I’m connected with BA-II staff for that
purpose as well. [I’m obviously getting to know Mike Walton better and better, as
time progresses, and the vice-versa is true as well.]
Staff Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Patch
Well, we ate supper (Bob and I) at the mess hall, and then we
went to Our Lady of Fatima, Huntington. We
were late, didn’t go to communion, but at least we made the effort. Weiler drove, of course.
Upon arriving back in Camp, Bob had to prepare for a campfire
– yes, another one – and so I watched. Oh
by the way, I’ve had some sort of uniform on continuously since I arrived
yesterday!
Well after the campfire, we all again awaited Walton’s
return, after which Kelly and I stayed (as well as the Fathers and Sons) up at Cornstalk
for the evening.
Sunday, July 22nd
Today, got up and took a shower. Ate breakfast in the mess hall of Camp Arrowhead. Then, we (the staff) assembled our forces and each
received our first jobs. Also, staff member
#4 arrived (Dewey Ball). I was to keep the
waiting men/boys occupied, though actually, I took care of check-in, while Weiler was out. So after all Check-in was finished, about 39 boys were to be present today though all
didn’t show up at the AM check-in.
Well, Dewey had taken all of them up to the camp to drop off
their gear. Tommy was teaching them their
“Commando Ropes”. Well, eventually,
they all went to the Health Lodge for Check-in there.
After which, they were given needles and thread, with patches and told to
sew on “22” under a “Brownsea II” strip, and to take everything else
OFF (save rank, lodge flap, flag, and a camporee patch if present.
Well, by 12:00 or so, we were ready to venture forth to the
Staff Area. After a brief discussion, Mike
and we passed out the natural wood staves. Some
tall, short, crooked, straight. All with
character; a different character – like the boys they belong to.
After this distribution, we all sat in a group and listened to
Walton’s little introduction speech. Mike
announced who was SPL and ASPL (me). After
this, the boys were divided into groups – patrols.
The patrol names were the same ones Baden-Powel had long ago.
Though instead of four patrols, we had 3 patrols of 13 each. Also, we picked the P.L.’s of each. These P.L.’s were given their patrol’s
ribbons (Red for Wolf Patrol, Blue for Bull, White for Curlew).
The patrols were then given knowledge of their camping areas,
and asked to go there.
Food was taken care of by another member of our staff –
Jeff Sawyers. Well, he was late (quite late)
and we didn’t eat lunch until about 4:00 or so!
Well, as the day passed, night eventually came, and the
Campfire was made ready. The campfire was
such that merely putting wood on the coals would start it!
Well, come time for the campfire to occur, I found that I was
in charge (MC). With this in mind, I then
went about preparing various skits. (I didn’t
make up any, the rest of the staff thought them up.)
Campfire order was thus:
1. My
Dog Rover
2. “Wee
Skit” (see below)
3. Brownsea
Story
4. Brownsea
Song
5. Worm
Skit
6. Poem
(Bobby)
7. “America”
Well, right before I introduced the Scout Master, Dewey would come to
me and say, “ I got to wee!”. (He
was acting as if he had to use the restroom.) But,
I would say, “You can’t ‘wee’ here.
In front of everyone? Go on!”
I would then begin again to introduce him, and he (Dewey) would
come over and say, “I gotta ‘wee’!”
“You can’t ‘wee’ here now!” I would
reply. Well, again I would try to introduce
him, but finally he would say, “ I gotta WEEEE!” – at which point, I gave
in, and said, “Alright, go ahead and embarrass yourself; go ahead ‘wee’!”
He then proceeded to “wee” by throwing up his hands
in the air, saying “Wee!”
Finally [then], I was able to bring out Mr. Walton for he had
more info to give them on BAII. [For more
info, refer to the “All Out For Scouting Syllabus”, Operation Brownsea.]
After this, the moment came that I’d dreaded for a long
time. Yes, I now had to teach them the BAII
song!
This was a patrol song: each
patrol had a different one. Well, 1st,
I had to sing the crazy thing! For them! Using an adjective I saw written before:
“We’re the ‘soaring’ curlews of the
Brownsea Camp. All for one! One for all!
Were the ‘soaring’ curlews of the Brownsea Camp,
Of the Brownsea Double 2 Camp.
We’re here for the fun and scouting play,
The good old fashioned B – P Way!
It’s Brownsea Scouting here to stay!”
Well, after twice of this, we tried everyone together. They caught on amazingly well! I had them think of adjectives for their own
versions. Then, we worked on it again
individually (patrolly?). Well, after this,
we did a last song, and so finally, said Good Night.
Had a cracker barrel. Staff
still had to talk over the next day’s schedule.
This we did.
Monday, July 23rd
2nd day of BAII-I!
Rise and shine at 7:00 am.
However, we were usually late.
Either me, Dewey, or Kelly prepared the food. It had to be separated among 3 patrols. Today, at 9:30 or so, we had a flag raising
[ceremony]. And after a few announcements, I
gave a weather report. Then, at 10:30,
morning activities began.
Much the same for each day to follow.
These included such things as field identification, nature
hunts, knot tying games, compass routes, camp set-up, and various other things.
Well, after AM activities, lunch occurred. This meal was the only one usually on time! (Barely!) Well,
the staff went around to the different campsites to eat lunch. Well, at 1:30, afternoon activities began. These consisted of much of the same things
(activities) as the AM ones. However, there
was usually more work involved (fire building contests, nature hunts, and the like.
At 4:30, “waiters” were dismissed to set things up
and cook, and at 6:00, supper was to be served. NOT
ONE SUPPER WAS ON TIME! ALL WEEK!
Well, finally, 7:00 would roll around – SHOWER TIME! Flag lowering was usually before the showers, but
we brought the flag down but once or twice in 7 days (in ceremony, that is).
On Monday, the troop did the campfire. They had skits, and one patrol was in charge of MC’ing
it, etc. WAS EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL.
Also, the Patrols were singing the Brownsea song quite well.
All went well this 2nd night …
Tuesday, July 24th
After breakfast, all went as planned. AM Activities were nicely pulled off. Lunch
[came], then PM Activities went well too.
However, Tuesday PM, after a Bee-eautifuul Supper, it started
storming quite fiercely—and it rained into the night.
Fortunately, I had picked a tent that was very waterproof!
Well, Tuesday was done, and we (the staff) were beginning to
think we would be able to get things finished.
Wednesday, July 25th
Today, dawned rainy. I
remember Tommy Tomelson and M. Walton getting water for the coffee off the tent fly!
Well, finally, morning activities occurred. These included games of fun and the like—nothing
really mind boggling.
After lunch, we had practice for pack loading and got the
patrols ready for the overnighter (“Pique”).
As soon as supper supplies came, we sent the boys off. They were to spend the night in separate patrols,
using the resources they had with them for shelters or using none at all. Well, they were off.
Also, it had rained till about lunchtime today—mud was
everywhere.
[Side Bar: Mr. Bob Matthews from Pt. Pleasant had joined us
shortly before]
We gave a rain dance before they left! Wishing them the worst
luck…
For supper, the staff had steaks, corn on the cob, and potatoes
– splurging, so to speak.
We went to bed that night with a fatigued outlook, however, as
we had 3 days to go.
Thursday, July 26th
Today, we were working on breakfast when suddenly, the patrols
started back. (They were supposed to return after
breakfast!)
Well, nevertheless, things finally were wrapped up, and
Thursday was spent electing the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader (of the
troop – not staff).
John Dooley was SPL.
-Took pictures also today –
Well, at this point, we (the staff) did very little, and I made our
Staff Flag, while everyone else did little. I
also had time to sew my patches on.
This afternoon, our staff member, Bob Matthews, helped with the
pioneering project (a small tower).
So, Thursday ended quite nicely.
Friday, July 27th
Today, we did the pioneering project (I think). Well, it also rained a lot, except for the
afternoon. Finally, after supper, I was to
begin greeting the scoutmasters as they came in to see the final ceremonies and dinner.
Tonight, we had the LAST BROWNSEA CAMPFIRE. This was the one I had read about in the text I
was given at Summer Camp [note: I was
originally asked to be on staff by Walter Walker during one of the regular summer camp
events earlier in the year.] Also, the staff
members (Me, mainly) taught the Indian Chant, “EEN-GONYAMA” to the troop. First thing, I tried (rather unsuccessfully at
first) to assemble the SM near where the campfire was to begin.
Well, after a few skits, we (the troop members) retired to a
campfire in the woods (hidden), and had our final fire.
Unfortunately, it had rained and no real dry wood was to be found. Well, we finally got the fire going barely (I,
since I played tuba, was able to blow much longer to get it started!). Finally, all was finished and we went back to camp
to have watermelon. Then, we said good night
after all was over.
Saturday, July 28th
FINALE.
Today, first was a breakfast of donuts. Then, all morning was used breaking camp. Well, about 2:00 or 2:30pm, it seemed all the
“VIPs” were coming in. These
included the Council Executive, Bob Cree, Assistant Council Executive, Jack Brun, and a
few others.
We had a nice barbecued chicken dinner, and then a ceremony
took place.
First, all the boys were called together by [the] boy-elected
SPL, John Dooley. They all retreated back
down the road, and when Jim Hosier (in charge of the whole program) blew the “Kudu
Horn”, they all came back up to the “Brownsea Field”, where the ceremony
was to be held. First, though, they came back
up singing “EEN-GON-YAMA, and the like.
"EEN-GON-YAMA,
GON YAMA INVOBOO
YA-BOO, YA-BOO INVOBOO" ...
First, Mike Walton gave a little talk, then, we commenced with
distributing the Leadership crest patches, and then, Walton gave out the wolf teeth
necklaces (I had these on a stick).
Finally, well, they closed, and SPL Dooley dismissed the
patrols. Walton was rather touched by the
whole affair. Nevertheless, afterwards, I had
Mike Walton and Tommy Thomeson sign my scout stave. At
which point, I prepared to leave with Mr. DiClemente who came for [his son] Andy and
myself.
Well, we arrived home around 4:30 pm.
THUS ENDETH BROWNSEA II-I
COMMENTS? Please send your
thoughts on this site to John Edelmann.
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