Monthly Archives: April 2026

The Adventures of Gertie, Junior Ranger

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Where’s the Dump?

She won’t admit it if you ask her, but Gertie has been around camp for awhile. As exciting as the new areas are, she often reminisces about old areas too.  Places where she had a lot of fun with Ranger Justin when they first met.  But some of those places aren’t what they used to be.

Where is the dump?!? Gertie is mystified.  She’s confident there used to be a big hole RIGHT HERE. People stood in her bed and poured things into that big hole.  A fire even singed her backside once! Where did the dump go?

Gertie at Dump Site

Gertie at the old dump site, April 2026

From the Archives, April 28, 2026

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The Bicentennial Muster ’76 (Part 8)

There are not many reminders anymore of this wildly successful event, perhaps the largest single Scouting event ever held in Middle Tennessee.  A look on ebay may turn up a patch or a neckerchief and if you’re really lucky, maybe you can find a copy of the 8 page “Muster Paper” filled with the photos of the event.  It’s a huge moment that has slid quietly into the mists of history.

In the Council, on the second floor, just outside the workroom that used to be part of the community space when Jet Potter was first built, hangs a photo.  It is a faded color photo of the Liberty gathering.  Taped to image is caption, clearly added years later that states, “Picture above is an aerial view of the ‘Liberty Spellout’ which was part of the opening ceremony at the Bicentennial Muster held at Boxwell Reservation in the Spring of 1976.”

A great photo, capturing a high-water mark in the history of Middle Tennessee Council.

Framed "Liberty" Spellout, 1976

A framed photo of the “Liberty” Spellout from the Muster, found in the Jet Potter Center. Collection of Grady Eades

From the Archives, April 26, 2026

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The Bicentennial Muster ’76 (Part 7)
 
Clearly, the creation of “Liberty” is the event most showcased. To do this story justice, we present verbatim the tale as told by the Council’s own presentation on page 3 of the so-called “Muster Paper.” Remember, locations around camp were labeled for famous historical sites like Lexington, Concord, etc.
 
“Staff members crawled into sleeping bags [Friday] night at 2:00 A.M., realizing reveille for them was only two hours away! And at 6:00 A.M. the 12 pounder signal fun from Stones River National Battlefield roared as Paul Revere galloped through the camps with his familiar call. The British were indeed in hot pursuit (bagpipes, drums, and muskets in hand), arresting sleepy Scouts who dared heckle as they marched along. Until finally at Lexington Green the Minutemen confronted the Redcoats in a brief skirmish (and true to history) withdrew toward Concord. The American ranks swelled and finally at the creek through Concord made a stand. The British were soundly trounced and scrambled in hasty retreat thorugh Camp Hale. Unknown to the British—or even the Scouts—the boys in blue (Cubs) had already swelled to over 4000 by the time the re-enactment had ended.
 
“As the 12-pounder fired again at 9:30 all knew the Muster was truly underway. In fifteen minutes 4000 Scouts and Scouters moved smoothly into the 61 ft. square letters of “LLIBERTY” spread over five acres of hillside at Boxwell. The 101st Air Assault Band from Ft. Campbell, Ky. Was leading two columns of 4000 Cubs and Webelos, Pied Piper style, to form a tremendous rectangle around “LIBERTY.” All the weeks and months of planning bore its fruit that morning when 10,000 Scouts and Scouts snapped to attention as the band played “The Star-Spangled Banner”…”
 
Scouts then put on their official Muster neckerchiefs, were reviewed by Major General Carl. D. Wallace, who was accompanied in a Jeep by several scouts. 75 MM howitzers fired a 12-gun salute and 13 helicopters flew over three times. The collection of 8,000 Scouts stood at attention for forty-five minutes.
 
Seen here are multiple views of “LIBERTY.”
Liberty Spellout version 1

“Liberty Spellout” at Bicentennial Muster, version 1. Collection of Michael Seay

Liberty Spellout, version 2

“Liberty” Spellout at the Bicentennial Muster, 1976. Collection of Michael Seay

Liberty spellout, version 3

“Liberty” Spellout at the Bicentennial Muster, 1976, version 3. Collection of Michael Seay

Liberty Spellout, version 4

“Liberty” Spellout ath Bicentennial Muster, 1976, version 4. Collection of Michael Seay

2026 Boxwell Summer Camp Staff Reunion

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Registration Closing!

If you are a former Boxwell Summer Camp Staff member, then you have only days left to register for the Reunion!  Thursday, April 30 is the last day to register and get the full experience: t-shirt, dinner, the whole 9 yards!

https://forms.gle/VxzpoGmLnPeKwyoW9

If you haven’t registered, do it now.  AND, while you’re at it, tell a friend!

1983 Reunion Banner

Welcome banner at the first camp staff reunion in 1983

Plaques 2014

Checking out plaques at the 2014 Reunion

The Adventures of Gertie, Junior Ranger

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CubWorld Aquatics Center

Gertie has really been amazed at how much has changed at Boxwell since she used to work here.  Some buildings have gotten a face lift, but there are parts of the camp that are completely different from when she here in the 1990s.  If she wants to be a good Junior Ranger, she needs to be familiar with ALL the areas, especially the new ones.

So, Gertie is checking out the CubWorld Aquatics Area.  There aren’t boats here right now, but the Buddy Board is up.  This raises all kinds of questions for our Junior Ranger.  Does she need to take swim test? Does she need a buddy tag?  Is there a boat big enough for her to enjoy the lake?

Gertie at CubWorld Aquatics Area

Here’s the Junior Ranger at the CubWorld Aquatics Area, April 2026