This entry from the “From the Archives” series focuses on old Parnell. As most know, Camp Parnell has been officially closed for years. Indeed, the last time it was open as a Scout resident camp was the summer of 1998. Thus, while it was one of the original camps at Boxwell, it has now been closed for almost 15 years.
One of the neat anomalies of Parnell is its flag pole. Scouts and staff in the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s will undoubtedly remember the permanent metal flag pole up at the dining hall. However, unlike Stahlman and Craig, which have had relatively stable flag arrangements, Parnell’s has moved around a few times. The metal flag pole at the dining hall is the second flag pole. The third flag pole is the in the field between Showerhouse One and Site Five. But thefirst flag pole and assembly area is in what most people consider the Athletic Field. Cut down several years, the original flag pole was actually three posts: two in the ground and a third fastened between the two. This post existed from the 1960s into the early 2000s. See the photo below from Chris “Kit” Eckert from 1970 showing the flagpole with the lake clearly visible in the background.