Category Archives: alumni/reunions

Happy Boxwell Day!

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HAPPY, HAPPY Boxwell Day! TODAY IS BOXWELL’S ANNIVERSARY!!

On July 5, 1921 the VERY FIRST Boxwell opened in Linton, TN.

A truck picked up Scouts going to camp at the intersection of the Belle Meade and Harding Road at 10am and 4:30pm.  Camp only ran for about three weeks at the time and cost less than $6 a week!

We are hoping to start a new tradition, not just here at VirtualBoxwell, but across Middle Tennessee Council by celebrating BOXWELL DAY–a day commemorating the opening of the first Boxwell.

Share this message far and wide.  If you use social media, share the post.  If you are looking on the website, share the link.  Spread the word so that everyone knows this is a new Middle Tennessee Council holiday!

Thank you to all the professionals, volunteers and staff members who have worked for over 100 summers to keep Boxwell alive and flourishing!

Boxwell Day

Happy Boxwell Day! Leslie G. Boxwell surrounded by the four camps bearing his name. Boxwell was located at Linton, TN, the Narrows of the Harpeth, Rock Island, and Old Hickory Lake.

Happy New Year! (2025 version)

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Happy 2025 Everyone!

For those who keep track of Council history–and we have a small interest in that topic here–2025 is a big year for anniversaries.  Here’s a quick run-down:

1965: 60 years of integrated Boxwell
1975: 50 years of Groundbreaking for Jet Potter
1975: 50 years since fall of Ward Akers
1985: 40 years of Billy Walker’s COPE
1995: 30 years of CubWorld (Dedication on October 25, 1995)
2005: 20 years of the Josh Sain High Adventure Gateway

We’re tinkering with a few ideas on how to commemorate these events.  In fact, one of our New Year’s Resolutions is to incorporate a bit more Council history into the site. After all, no one else is doing it, so why shouldn’t we? 🙂

While we figure out what to do with those anniversaries, here’s the standard list of updates for the New Year.  We’ve updated:
–the banner image (full image included)
–copyright on the website pages
–link to the Boxwell Staff Alumni Association in the footer
–updated names and links for the “In Memory” page

Finally, if you are a Boxwell Staff member, we are looking for you!  You may have been contacted already, but if you haven’t be on the look out.  We’re trying to find everyone in preparation for the 2026 Boxwell Staff Reunion.  More information to come!

Happy New Year!

The Boat Harbor after a snow, January 2010. Photo by Ranger Steve Belew

Boxwell Staff Alumni Association

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Be Like Grady 

Grady Eades is one of those people who has been documenting the history of Boxwell and the Middle Tennessee Council.  He joined the Craig Activity Yard back in 1990, went on to become AY Director, Camp Commissioner, and Program Director by the time he left camp staff in 1997.  He was involved with 1999 and 2009 Reunions and chaired the 2014 and 2021 Reunions.  He runs VirtualBoxwell and actually published a history of Boxwell in 2021.  An Eagle Scout, Grady Eades has continued to be involved in the program as an adult leader both in Cubs and Scouts BSA and has been serving on the Council Camping Committee.

Grady is also part of the Boxwell Staff Alumni Association.  Be like Grady.

If you are a former (contracted) member of the Boxwell Summer Camp Staff, you are eligible.  If you join before the end of September, you are still eligible to be a Founding Member of the Association. Cost for a new member is $35.  Plus you can buy swag.

Be Like John. Join the Boxwell Staff Alumni Association.  This is your final reminder before September 30!

https://forms.gle/Njnbg8ewgPKpaaWX6

Grady Eades, Alumni photo

Boxwell Staff Alumni Association

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Be Like John

John Estes is one of those staff members who is a sort of connective tissue, keeping former staff members tied together.  He joined the Craig Activity Yard back in 1983, went on to become AY Director, and also Waterfront Director.  1988 was his last year on staff, but has served on multiple Staff Reunion teams and has been a leading force in Round Tuit weekends.  An Eagle Scout, John Estes was involved in the program as an adult leader when his own kids came up through the ranks.

John is also part of the Boxwell Staff Alumni Association.  Be like John.

If you are a former (contracted) member of the Boxwell Summer Camp Staff, you are eligible.  If you join before the end of September, you are still eligible to be a Founding Member of the Association. Cost for a new member is $35.  Plus you can buy swag.

Be Like John. Join the Boxwell Staff Alumni Association.  

https://forms.gle/Njnbg8ewgPKpaaWX6

Alumni Association Vice President, John Estes

Alumni Association Vice President, John Estes