30 Years of CubWorld (extra 1)

Welcome to a bonus post! The Capital Campaign in 1994 was officially known as “Scouting. The Handbook for Life.” It was the largest–and first–capital campaign the council had conducted since 1972. The initial goal was $7.8 million, but by the start of 1995, the Council announced it had collected over $8.5 million. Once again, the Middle Tennessee Council conducted the largest capital campaign in the history of Scouting.

Cornelius “Neil” Craig, II had led the council through the Akers resignation. In 1994, he was the Campaign Steering Committee Chairman. The overall chairman of the campaign was E. W. “Bud” Wendell. Wendell was also the President of Gaylord Entertainment.

Seen here are Craig (left) with Mr. and Mrs. Wendell at the Victory Celebration at Opryland Hotel on October 19, 1994.

Neil Craig and Mr. and Mrs. Bud Wendell, 1994. Middle Tennessee Council.

30 Years of CubWorld (part 1)

This month marks the 30th Anniversary of the Dedication of CubWorld on October 26, 1995. CubWorld was part of the 1994 Capital Development Campaign. As we did in May with Jet Potter Center, we’re going to spend this month looking at the development of CubWorld.

The idea for a camp just for Cubs was pioneered by other Councils by the time Middle Tennessee began to consider it. The question was where to put it. There was some discussion about building the camp in today’s Percy Dempsey Camporee area, but starting from scratch seemed daunting. By 1994, attendance at Camp Murrey had been on a downward spiral for quite some time due to changes in the economy and social realities. It made more sense to renovate Murrey than build a whole new camp.

Seen here is one of the early blueprints for CubWorld, specifically from August 1994. Note that Site 4 (far right) would have tree houses, there would be a “motherlode mine” activity area, and the pirate ship would be back in the cove while the swimming area remained where it had been at Murrey. Perhaps the most interesting “could have been” here is dead center, where one finds not only a considerably larger parking area, but a host of Family Camp Sites–all on paved roads. It seems early CubWorld plans involved some RV Camping ideas!

An early map of CubWorld, August 1994. Middle Tennessee Council.

Narrows Promotional

Camp simply doesn’t fly without promotional materials. Whether those be videos, films, mailers, or something else, camp Promotion is critical to making summer camp work. This is true today and it was true in 1930. Seen here are pages from the 1930 promotional mailing. This was first summer of Camp Boxwell at the Narrows of the Harpeth.

Page 2–the one with the campfire–reads: “NEW CAMP. The Council Camping Committee composed of E. E. Murrey, Justin Potter, and Gerald Gimre, were authorized last January to start a construction program towards a permanent camp for the Scouts of our Area. This year you will have the opportunity of using this new camp. We have a new mess hall and kitchen, permanently constructed with concrete floor, running water, lights, and sanitation facilities we have now a bath house and sanitary latrines. The tents will be floored. These and other improvements hould make camp sage, healthful, and enjoyable.”

Page 3–the one with the canoes–reads: “WATERFRONT ACTIVITIES. Swimming, Life-Saving, Canoeing are popular sports at Camp Boxwell. Talmadge Miller will again supervise the waterfront. Every precaution is taken to make swimming and boating safe. The Buddy System is used and a check-up is made every few minutes. Classes are held for beginners in Swimming, in Life-Saving, in Canoeing, and the Swimming Merit Badge.

“Each Sunday there is a Canoeing and Swimming Regatta, which closed the week’s sport competition. This is held in the afternoon so that the parents may witness it.

“EATS. One of the Favorite Sports of Scouts is the “Three-a-day.” Walter Whittaker is to make the rolls again at Camp this summer. He is already preparing the Summer Menu. The new Kitchen should be a real boost to him in preparing for you those delightful meals.”

Promotion Material for Camp Boxwell at the Narrows, 1930. Collection of O. E. Brandon

Rock Island Drone Photo

The third Boxwell was a happy accident. The Rock Island location was intended to be temporary. The Council would spend one summer there–1949–and then move to something more permanent. One year turned into eleven and eventually, Camp Boxwell became Parish Reservation, and then Camp Tubb at Parish Reservation.

Today, Camp Tubb is not wildly different from Camp Boxwell, 1949-1959. The general layout is the same. Virtually all of the campsites today are where the campsites were in the 1950s. The assembly area with the three flag poles is the same area where Scouts assembled in 1949. The roads have not changed. The Lodge sits on the same site the dining hall tents and kitchen once occupied. With a _little_ imagination, it is not hard to see the Rock Island Boxwell.

Seen here is an exceptional aerial photo of Camp Tubb. The road in the center leads to the Lodge where the original dining hall was located. The “black hole” to the right is the assembly area, both then and today. The Rock Island for which the area is named is in the upper right hand corner. If you were to continue up the river on the right, you would quickly arrive at the waterfront and its legendary swimming cribs.

Rock Island Drone Photo. Collection of Ben Whitehouse.