This week’s unknown staff member comes from the collection of Glenn Randolph. Here’s what we know: the photo takes place in Stahlman’s kitchen, so we can assume the staff member is Stahlman staff. Given the hat and the shirt, the photo was taken in 1997. So, Stahlman Staff, probably kitchen staff, in 1997. Who is it?
Unknown Staff member, probably Stahlman Kitchen Staff, 1997
Scouts Cleaning Up, 1967
If there is a universal constant, it is that everything changes. When discussing social and cultural changes, one way to observe changes is by looking at buildings. For camp, one way to see social change is by looking at a truly unlikely source: the showerhouses.
As seen in this photo, the original showerhouses at Old Hickory Boxwell had group washstands. The “Scout Side” also included group showers and a row of toilets (no partitions or curtains for either) and a trough for urinating. The “Staff/Scoutmaster” side had the same, though significantly fewer showerheads and toilets. 15 year old staff were considered adults and used the Staff/Scoutmaster side.
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, more women were coming to camp and signs were used for the Scoutmaster side for when it was female occupied. Eventually, the original showerhouses were renovated to better reflect this growing trend. It was also believed that the Scouts themselves were growing increasingly uncomfortable with sharing this space with each other.
By the dawn of the 21st century, the old model was scrapped entirely. The showerhouses at Stahlman and Craig were torn down and rebuilt with individual showers and toilet facilities, granting everyone privacy.
Social change indeed!
Here Scouts clean up at a group wash basin at one of Boxwell’s original showerhouses. It is unclear at which camp this photo was taken. It was 1967, so either Parnell or Stahlman.
This week’s unknowns come from the Craig Staff, 2008. Honestly, we’re not sure who took the photo, but we’re certain the photo is 2008, even though the original date stamp says 2007! Kyle Duckworth is in the background on guitar and Pat Deugaw is one of the two men at the table. Who is the other man at the table and the two young staff members in the foreground? Knowing who took the photo would be great too!
Craig Staff, 2008. Who are the people in this photo?
July Fourth at Boxwell
It goes without saying that at a Boy Scout camp, July Fourth is a big deal. Of course, some years are bigger than others and some years get a little out of hand. If you’ve worked staff for a full summer, you have likely heard at least one “fireworks that went wrong” tale.
This week, we thought we’d share one of those tales. This following is a story from Wes Frye about a July Fourth event in the mid-1960s. The photo accompanying is not of this particular story, but of Stahlman Staff 1964 with Luke Gaffin (back row, far right) who is mentioned in the story.
“The Great 4th of July Celebration” from Wes Frye:
One summer in the mid sixties, the 4th of July fell in the middle of the week. To celebrate, both Stahlman and Parnell had a joint campfire at the Stahlman campfire site on the lake. Oh, it was a glorious affair; each camp staff was trying to outdo the other with skits, games, and songs. The Parnell Hootenannies were by far the best act to perform. [Frye was a member of the Parnell Hootennannies]. Patriotic themes, stories, and antecedents were at the forefront of the evening’s activities. All of these were leading up to the highlight of not just this 4th of July celebration, but those all across our great nation in every burg, village, town and city; the Fireworks display!
For our pyrotechnic illumination, Luke Gaffin had solicited the assistance of a few staff members, the names of which elude me due to the passage of time. They were located on Staff [Explorer] Island a short distance across the lake from the campfire. With much fanfare the first of the Roman candles lit the sky. A few more traditional displays of light was then followed by an unusual burst of light on, or very near the ground. We waited in anticipation for what we assumed was some type of ground mounted show such as a “fire wheel” or whatever. As flashes of light on the ground began to increase it became apparent that we were being treated to a most unusual and impromptu fireworks display.
Through the burst of lights and smoke you could hear Luke calling out, “Look out boys, here comes another one!” and many unintelligible words and some not to be repeated. It was also clearly visible to all of us that outlines of Luke and his helpers through the smoke and haze were artfully dodging the flares as they tried to avoid being zapped by one of the uncontrolled missiles. It seems that somehow the fireworks had inadvertently been set afire on the ground.
What happened afterwards seems to have been lost in time. Later there was much speculation as to what started it all and the general consensus, theory, speculation, whatever was that some sparks must have flown from the ever-present pipe Luke kept in his mouth. For some reason though, the incident seems to have never been formally discussed but it sure was food for thought while wisting away time in the tent or on the back porch of the Dining Hall. One thing remains to this day; we had been treated to a show the likes of which had never been seen at Boxwell and most likely will never be seen again.
The Stahlman Staff in 1964. Far right back row is Luke Gaffin.
This week’s unknown comes from the Jeremy Gillard Collection. Jeremy has been quite helpful with names, but there are a few even he couldn’t remember. Thus, this week’s unknown is from Stahlman, 2004.
From Jeremy Gillard Collection. Stahlman, 2004.