Courtesy photo
Strike Two: Vandals Caught Again
Submitted Dr. D. Michael Hart
The vandals known as the “Pool House Gang” were caught red handed vandalizing another building at a different Boy Scout Camp. Last February they were caught stripping the valuable fixtures and materials out of the Pool House at Camp Wheeler. This time they were scavenging parts from a building at Camp Winnebago in Rockaway, NJ. They are seen here acting tough with the attitude of “Who you looking at?”
They were seen removing windows, doors, valuable lumber, roofing, copper wire, and construction materials from the building. You can see from the photo that the building has been stripped down to its bare bones.
Just kidding. It is actually the opposite of that. These volunteers are building two new pavilions from scratch. You see the framework of the buildings behind them. They are the friendliest group of guys you will ever meet.
This is a group of dedicated highly skilled volunteers, including many retired professionals, that volunteer every week all year round at the Boy Scout camps for Patriot’s Path Council in northern New Jersey. These guys pictured come up every week throughout the year to build new buildings, and maintain or renovate old buildings. This group includes retired engineers, an electrician, an architect, computer experts, a dentist, a chemist, corporate executives, and small business owners.
In this photo, the guys are building two new pavilions in the Scout Craft Area at Camp Winnebago, Rockaway, NJ. These will be a permanent improvement to the Camp. These pavilions may be used for scouts to work on badges, learn crafts, or attend advancement classes. There are 17 camp sites at Camp Winnebago. The Flintlocks have previously donated the funds to purchase lumber and built pavilions at ten campsites since 2004. They also donated the funds and built the Corwin Cabin named after a founder and past president of the Flintlocks. In 2018 they obtained funding and built the STEM Lab at Camp Somers.
The Pavilions are handicapped accessible, have an elevated floor, have a roof in case of rain, hand rails, lockable storage, and enough floor area for four picnic tables. Enclosed storage is important to protect equipment from the weather or animals.
The programs of the Boy Scouts of America have been open to girls and families since 2019. The five coed programs are: Cub Scouts; Scouts (formerly Boy Scouts); Venture Crew (who go on high adventure expeditions); Explorers (who explore career options), and Sea Scouts (who explore careers at sea). Cub Scouts are typically children from kindergarten through 5th grade. In 6th grade, the children join the Scouts, through the end of high school. The last three programs include children up through age 21, after which they may become adult leaders. The focus of scouting is to build responsible citizens, learn basic skills, make lifelong friends, and explore careers or hobbies. If you are looking for a unit near you, visit beascout.org.
The aforementioned Pool House building was built 50 years ago. The wooden walls were completely rotted, and the roof was sagging perilously. They needed to prop up the roof and replace the inside boards one by one. First, they had to remove all the fixtures, plumbing and electrical wires from the inside. These talented volunteers completely rebuilt the entire inside of the building, and replaced all of the fixtures. They completed the work last spring before summer camp began in June. The building is handicapped accessible, has two bathrooms, two common showers, and 16 individual changing rooms. There is a full-sized swimming pool behind the building, so all of the chlorination, pumping mechanisms and electrical service are also located inside the building. The building has a new roof and siding, and is ready for the next 50 years.
The “Flintlocks BSA, Inc.” a 501c3 corporation, is a group of retired scouters who volunteer at the camps every week, all year round, to help the Boy Scout Council. They do repairs and maintenance for the three Council camps, but also build new structures, such as cabins, waterfront structures, picnic tables and tent platforms. Second, they make the craft kits for birdhouses, bird feeders, stools, handy boxes, racing sailboats, etc., which are sold through the Scout Shops. Third, Flintlocks volunteer to help run the many Council programs. Three quarters of the Flintlocks have received the Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest National Scouting Award a volunteer may receive. Guests are always welcome if you would like to see what we are doing. The Facebook Page is “Flintlocks” For more information please contact Secretary Dr. Michael Hart drmhart@yahoo.com.
