LIBERTY!!

We often just think about Boxwell as a Summer Camp, but the Reservation serves many functions.  In recent years, it is the host to Winter Camp.  In days past, it often was the home to Council Jamborees.

In 1976, the United States Bicentennial, the Council’s Fall Jamboree was held at Boxwell Reservation.  The photo here shows two things.  First, it demonstrates how large the Jamboree was.  You can see tents from Camp Murrey at the very top, through Stahlman, down through Parnell’s Atheletic Field all the way into Parnell itself.  There are also tents “up the hill” around the Cripple Crab.  This was not a small event!

It is the second point that really catches the eye though.  In the area that today is the home of the William Weaver Amphitheater (built in 1985), you can see that Scouts and participants to the Jamboree have spelled out the word “Liberty.” How’s that for Scouting patriotism?

Spelling out “Liberty” at the 1976 Bicentennial Jamboree

Happy Birthday!!

We all know that Camp Murrey was a family camp.  This meant that for Scoutmasters and for adult staff there was a place to bring their families while they were at camp.  For adult staff in particular, this meant that a part of their lives–their families–were going on just down the road.

Pictured here is a good reminder of how life at Murrey was very different from life on the rest of the Reservation.

Leann Human celebrated her 6th birthday at Camp Murrey in 1974.  Because she was living at Murrey, it only made sense that she have a birthday party at Boxwell, complete with children of other leaders and staff as well as a Raggedy Anne birthday cake!  The man leaning in from the left is none other than the Reservation Director Ed Human himself!  Murrey was indeed a world within itself!

Welcome to the other side! Life at Murrey included teaching Scout skills and swimming, but it also included birthday parties!