Camp Fisher
The Great Depression did not affect all Councils equally. The Nashville Council struggled, no question, but survived. Other councils, such as the original Middle Tennessee Council (outside Nashville) and the Davy Crockett Council, folded from the economic emergency. The Nashville Council incorporated them in 1930, becoming the Nashville Area Council.
Of course, with such a wide area to cover and many more Scouts to serve, new summer camps were needed. Camp Boxwell moved from Linton to the Narrows of the Harpeth in 1930. In 1931, a whole new camp was opened for the Scouts in the far eastern part of the service area. Camp Fisher was located on the Duck River near Manchester and was helmed by Thomas A. Moore of Tullahoma.
Camp Fisher did not last long, approximately two summers. However, it operated with pretty solid numbers. The two weeks it was open each summer, it served Scouts from about 10 different towns with about 75 to 80 Scouts per week. The camp was also open to the community . After the Boy Scouts were done with it, girls occupied the camp, much like a YMCA camp.
It is unclear why Fisher closed after 1932. The Council had adopted a policy of camp centralization in April of that year, but with a caveat that approved camps could go on elsewhere. Fisher was approved. The most reasonable explanation is the financial situation at the time. 1932 and 1933 were the shortest summers on record for Boxwell at the time (only four weeks), suggesting support for another camp may not have been possible.
“Boy Scout Camp Fisher Near Manchester,” _Nashville Tennessean_, July 12, 1931, pg. 40.
The original caption reads: “Learning to swim for fun and safety is part of the regular program at Boy Scout Camp Fisher, being conducted near Manchester, Tenn., by the Nashville area council. This picture shows the waterfront just before the commend to ‘hit it’ was given. Red Cross Life Savers Edward and Edwin Stevenson of Decherd, Tenn., are in charge of this department at the camp. Thomas A. Moore of Tullahoma is director. More than 150 Scouts from 20 Middle Tennessee towns have been in attendance.”
“Boy Scout Camp Fisher Near Manchester,” _Nashville Tennessean_, July 12, 1931, pg. 40.