Greater New York Councils: Difference between revisions
title |
m moved Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camps to Greater New York Councils: per WP:Scouting MoS-smaller than council should be in no less than a council article |
(No difference)
| |
Revision as of 17:42, 15 September 2008
Ten Mile River Scout Camps (TMR) is a 12,000-acre (4,856 ha) camp near Narrowsburg, New York, owned and operated by the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) since 1928. It is the principal Boy Scout camp serving New York City. In recent years, TMR is also now increasingly used by other councils in New York state. Over the years, prominent Americans have been instrumental in its history, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and New York mayor William O'Dwyer.[1]
History
Ten Mile River Scout Camp was founded as the result of efforts by the New York City Boy Scout Foundation beginning in 1924 to develop a camp large enough to accommodate the burgeoning growth of Scouting in the New York metropolitan area during the 1920s, with a goal of providing camping for 3,500 Scouts at a time. Led by future New York governor and President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), who was president of the New York City Boy Scout Foundation, the group selected TMR's present site, oversaw the land acquisition process from multiple owners, and raised funds for the large camp's development.[2]
In recognition of his pivotal role in the founding and development of TMR, then–Governor Roosevelt received Scouting's Silver Buffalo Award in a ceremony held at the camp on August 231930.[2][3] Later, as recently elected president of the U.S., FDR returned again to the camp in the summer of 1933 to be inducted into the Order of the Arrow.[2][4] By the summer of 1936, 10,000 boys were attending the camp each summer, the New York Times reported.[5]
In 1952, a Manhattan Boy Scout was recognized as the 250,000th Scout to attend TMR and given a special award by FDR's widow, Eleanor Roosevelt.[6] At its peak in 1965, Ten Mile River operated eleven camps with a peak usage of nearly 12,000 boys. Following a decline in the 1970s, five of TMR's eleven camps closed. By the late 1990s, attendance had rebounded to 6,000 scouts.[6]
Currently
Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp is heavily wooded with hills overlooking the Delaware River. It has a number of lakes, including Half Moon, Crystal, Nianque, Kunatah, and Rock. In addition to specialty programs such as scuba, high-adventure hiking and overnight canoeing/camping on the Delaware, and the Catskill Adventure Base, TMR has four main summer camp areas, each offering different programs and activities:[7]
- Camp Aquehonga on Half Moon Lake, with traditional Scout camping including patrol cooking, along with an olympic-sized swimming pool.
- Camp Keowa on Crystal Lake, offers water activities such as canoeing, sailing and waterskiing, with meals served dining hall-style.
- Camp Kunatah, offering Kosher meals.
- Camp Ranachqua on Lake Nianque, with meals served dining hall-style. It is the principal Boy Scout camp serving the Hudson Valley Council. The camp operates for six weeks each summer. Food is served family style, in the Dining Hall. Camp Ranachqua is served by a professional chef who is assisted by several foreign exchange workers. The relatively small staff is made up of paid youths and adults as well as several volunteers. Troops stay in campsites equipped with tents and lean-tos, with running water and latrines. A well-maintained Health Lodge takes care of sick or injured Scouts. A trading post supplies Scouts with needed supplies and snacks. In addition to the normal complement of merit badges and classes, Ranachqua also teaches valuable leadership to boys. Features include:
- Nature. The Nature Lodge is one of the oldest structures on the reservation, where fifteen merit badges are taught, as well as Leave No Trace, nature hikes, and astronomy observations.
- Waterfront, located on Lake Nianque offers swimming, canoes, rowboats, small boat sailing, and BSA Lifeguard training. Also offered is Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat for leaders.
- Scout Skills, teaches Scouts essential knowledge such as first aid, pioneering, orienteering, cooking, and wilderness survival. On each Wednesday Ranachqua holds its Cooking Mega Event, in which Scoutmasters may compete in an Iron Chef-style competition.
- Handicrafts offers leatherwork, basketry, wood Carving, and Indian lore, particularly popular with younger and first year Scouts.
- Climbing Tower. For those Scouts 13 years old and older, the Climbing Tower provides a safe and fun challenge. Climb on Safely is also taught for leaders who would like to plan their own climbing trips.
- Shooting Sports, offers rifle, shotgun, and archery merit badges at two fully equipped ranges.
- Sports. Scouts are taught the Eagle-required Personal Fitness merit badge.
References
- ^ Murray Schumach (July 18,1946). "O'Dwyer Visits Boy Scout Camp For City's Lads at Ten Mile River". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c "History of the Ten Mile River Scout Camps". TMR Scout Museum. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ "Roosevelt Honored by the Boy Scouts". The New York Times. August 24, 1930. p. 21. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Campbell, Thomas P. (2003). "A Best Friend in the White House". Scouting. Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Boy Scouts Entering Final Week in Camp". The New York Times. August 301936. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "History of Ten Mile River". Greater New York Councils (BSA). 2005-12-26. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "TMR Camps". Greater New York Councils (BSA). 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2008-02-15.