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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Camp Ware

The Horseshoe Scout Reservation is a Scouting America camp owned by Chester County Council. It is located on the Mason-Dixon line separating Pennsylvania and Maryland. The name of the camp derives from the Octoraro Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, that makes a meandering four-mile horseshoe through the property.

The Horseshoe Scout Reservation is divided into two camps: Camp Horseshoe (in Rising Sun, Maryland), a Scouts BSA-only camp, and Camp John H. Ware, III (in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania.)

The reservation is a "multi-use" facility and hosts Scouts BSA, Cub Scout, Venturing and other programs. Camp Ware is also home to various council training courses such as National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), Wood Badge and Powder Horn.

History

A 1988 State Museum of Pennsylvania archeological dig at the reservation’s Buzzard’s Rock uncovered pieces of pottery and arrowheads. This confirmed the long-held theory that the rock had been used as a shelter for the Susquehannock tribe of Native Americans. The artifacts indicated that the rock had been used as a temporary shelter and lookout post.

The Mason-Dixon marker found on the property.

The Horseshoe Scout Reservation opened for the first camp season in 1928 under the leadership of Charles M. "Chief" Heistand. Chester County Council purchased the property from the Reynolds Family, who occupied the land since the late 18th century. At the time, the property was a haven for moonshiners operating illegal stills. When officials from the council first visited, accounts suggest that the moonshiners fled the camp having mistaken their uniforms and campaign hats for those worn by Pennsylvania State Troopers.

In 1956, staff member G. Ernest Heegard established an Explorer Base across the creek from Camp Horseshoe. In 1961 the site was renamed Camp Jubilee to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Council training courses were first held there in 1969 and continue to the present day. In 1985 Camp Jubilee was again renamed, this time to its current name, Camp John H. Ware 3rd.

Visitors to the reservation can see the original 18th mile marker stone delineating the Mason-Dixon line.

Traditions

Retreat Ceremony

Retreat Ceremony: This daily observance has changed little since the first camping season over 95 years ago. Scouts and leaders attend in full uniform. Scouts form as a troop, stand retreat, and pass in review. Leaders stand on the review line with the staff. Troops are judged on their marching skills and uniform appearance with a trophy awarded to the winner each evening. The judges consider if the troop is in step with a full stride, holds its ranks, executes a right column and two right flanks properly, and wears a complete Scout uniform.

Friday Night Campfire: A special closing campfire is held at Achgeketum circle. The Camp Director awards the Horseshoe patch and year segment to Scouts in order of the number of years they have attended camp. After Scout leaders are presented their patch and segment, they remain in the circle to present the "Silver Buckle," an award bestowed on one youth member from each troop who, in the opinion of his fellow scouts, best exemplified the scout oath and law during the week. A scout may only recieve the award once. The campfire closes with the staff singing the Horseshoe song.

Facilities

Horseshoe Scout Reservation flags

Upon purchasing the property, the members of the council built three buildings: Browning Lodge on the old carriage shed foundation, the Allen Memorial Dining Hall (since expanded), and on the foundation of the old barn, the Kindness Center, a building built with funding from the ASPCA to remind the Scouts not to be cruel to animals. Other original facilities include an Olympic-size swimming pool (the largest pool east of the Mississippi River at the time), the Reynolds Family farmhouse (known as the "White House"), and five "stockade" sites: Sherwood Forest, Boonesboro (named for Daniel Boone), Kit Carson, Davy Crockett, and Bayard Taylor.

Since then, the camp has expanded to include the following sites: Octoraro, Timberline, (Harold) Schramm, (Col. Clifton) Lisle, Dan Beard, (Gilbert) Rothrock, and (Owen J.) Roberts. Five of the sites; Octoraro, Timberline, Schramm, Lenni Lenape, and Dan Beard, are tent sites, while Rothrock and Roberts have Adirondack shelters. Lisle, originally a tent site, was converted to a site with large pavilions.

There is also Achgheketum Circle, the large ceremonial fire circle at Camp Horseshoe. It derives from the Vigil Honor name Achgheketum, which was bestowed upon 29-year camp director Ernie Heegard.

Other buildings at Camp Horseshoe include the Morrison Health Lodge (rebuilt in 2003), the Mahlon Rossiter Visitors Center, which is the Camp's headquarters, the Octoraro Memorial Lodge, which is the Order of the Arrow (OA) lodge for the Chester County Council, Schramm Lodge, McIlvain Lodge, Roberts Lodge (Horseshoe's Nature Lodge during summer camp), and Rothrock lodge. The camp's rifle range is located near Rothrock lodge, adjacent to the camp road, while the archery range is near the swimming pool, and an original Mason-Dixon stone marker.

The site for the "Trailblazer" program is located adjacent to the parking lot and Campcraft. This program is a first-year camper program started by Tom Hillhouse that combines fun activities in every program area of camp with skill development for First Class rank. The Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience (COPE) course is located near flag-pole hill and the chapel, adjacent to the main camp road, which was built in the late 1970s that replaced a road that was partially destroyed by Hurricane Agnes. Newer additions to the camp facilities include a new Scout shower house, William R. Hess Trading Post (called Trader Bill's), and a renovated Parade Field.

Ware Facilities

Troops staying during summer camp have eight campsites to choose from: Hawkeye, Pathfinder, Deerslayer, Mohican, Jubilee, Leatherstocking, Oswego and Trapper (the largest). The sleeping quarters consist of A-frame "butterfly" tents, with two Scouts or adults per tent. In the off season, the tarps that cover the tents are stored until next year, as are the metal cots. During winter camping, the heated two-story Macaleer Lodge hosts campers.

Music

Camp Horseshoe Song - The Loop of the Octoraro Bend Camp Ware Song
It all began with the dreams of old

The Indian Brave and the Pioneer bold.
By campfire light old tales retold,
In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend.

Those early Scouts with their campaign hats,
Their pressed wool shirts, their boots and spats.
Rekindled the dream that had gone before,
In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend.

Chorus: They built a camp upon the Mason-Dixon Line
Historic land where values shine
Old Horseshoe you memory will 'er be mine
In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend.

The sun comes up over Flagpole Hill
Where Old Glory flew and is flying proudly still.
And we'll march to the call at the end of the day
In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend.

So let's hoist our packs once again my friend
Where the waters flow round the tranquil Horseshoe bend
And we'll hike and we'll camp in the old Scout way
In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend.

He served the camp upon the Mason-Dixon Line,
His years as chief numbered twenty nine,
Achegektum your lessons will e'er be mine,
In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend.

Listen all as this campfire burns

We ask ourselves what was our good turn
And what have I done and what did I learn
And what will I do 'till I return?

Chorus
Camp Ware, at the bottom of the hills
Where values hold and scouts learn skills
I'll take what I learned and my duty I'll fulfill
At dear Camp Ware at the bottom of the hills.

As the bright sun sets in the azure sky
Darkness come as the embers slowly die
I'll keep my head and my spirits high
As I bid Camp Ware a last goodbye.

Chorus

As I walk through life with scouting care
As I travel the land and the sea and the air
I won't forget what I learned at Camp Ware
The Scout Laws and Being Prepared.

Chorus

On Scouting's 50th Anniversary
A camp was built in the land of the free
They took all the best, and they called it Jubilee
Deep in the hills of the land of the free.

Chorus

Words credited to Kevin Grewell and Vance Hein Tune "Beaucatcher's Farewell" by Bob Zentz Written by John Reilly and Bill Teodecki
Sung to the tune of "Lord of the Dance"

References

  1. ^ "Camp Horseshoe". www.cccbsa.org. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  2. ^ "Camp John H. Ware 3rd". www.cccbsa.org. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  3. ^ "Buzzard's Rock". www.hsraa.org. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  4. ^ "Horse-Shoe Bend" (PDF). www.hsraa.org. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  5. ^ "General History". www.hsraa.org. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  6. ^ "1988 Inventory". www.hsraa.org. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  7. ^ "Camp Horseshoe". www.cccbsa.org. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  8. ^ "Camp Horseshoe Facilities". www.cccbsa.org. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  9. ^ "Brother Ernie Heegard – "Achgeketum" – 1934 to 2024". www.octoraro22.org. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  10. ^ "Camp Song" (PDF).
  11. ^ "Camp Song also". Troop 78 Songbook. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2008-09-23.