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HISTORY OF
REGION SEVEN CANOE BASE
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
(Preliminary Draft)

Continued…..

1944

   
Cost--$2.00 registration fee plus $1.50 per day per person

   
Periods--any length desired at any time desired by the party.  Must be scheduled in advance and at a time when sufficient equipment and a guide was available.

   
Equipment--sufficient to have 70 people on the trail at a time.

   
Transportation--still by train for most groups.

   
Staff--Woodrow Hickman, a school principal and later superintendent of schools in Illinois, who had worked with Bob Gregg in numerous Scout camps was employed as Program Director.  Woodie and his family not only became a vital part of the Landing operation, but his old Model "A" Ford doubled the vehicles available to haul people, supplies, and canoes.  In addition to meeting parties on the trail with fresh supplies, it was now possible to "put in" and pick up a few parties at Nixon Creek and other nearby points.  Woodie continued to serve in various capacities at the Base until 1952.  His contribution to the on-going success of the Landing is beyond measure.  The staff of young men was increased to 12 to provide maintenance and kitchen help as well as guides for parties.  Ted Shearer, Ed Schwechel, and Dick Potter each gave a week or two to serve as cooks and give what help they could.  Mrs. Eileen Hickman did the cooking the rest of the time.

   
Training--Jack Loesch again trained the guides and helped establish new campsites.  Each party was given 24 hours of training by the guides prior to leaving on their trip.

   
Attendence--418 campers and leaders from 25 councils for 578 camper weeks.

   
Hike Trips--Judge Rosenberry, Chairman of the conservation Commission, had a great interest in hiking and as a result the Commission had developed and marked some wonderful hiking trails in the immediate area around the Landing.  Hike trips were incorporated in the program of the Base and proved to be of great interest and value to the few courageous parties that took them instead of canoeing.  Horse back trips were discussed and considered but posed too many financial and maintenance problems to be practical.

   
Property and Buildings--During 1944, the Wisconsin Conservation Department officially leased all but 5 buildings to Region Seven with 20 acres of land on a year to year automatic renewal basis.  It was the recommendation of Judge Rosenberry and C.L. Harrington that this form of lease would be the safest since it meant that it would never be brought before the Commission in future years for renewal consideration as would one with a definite terminal time.  Thus, unless a serious problem developed which would cause a future Commission to become concerned about the lease, it would not have to face a new and possibly disinterested group.  This action made available the present office building and the Landing office was moved there with the back portion being used for storage.  Bob Gregg's family then moved into the former office in #1 and the Hickman's were given the room next to it.

   
Advisory Committee--The original committee of Scout Executives was enlarged and Otto Nimtz, Deputy Regional Executive, was appointed chairman by the Regional Executive.  This group was to serve in advising, recommending, and helping in whatever way they could, but did not control the operation.  It was to be appointed each year.

   
Canoes--White was selected as the color for Scout Landing canoes because they were easy to see, reflected the heat, were given better care by canoeists, and no other camp used that color.

   
Guide Book--the first Guide Book was published and made available to all parties.

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HISTORY | STAFF THROUGH THE YEARS | PATCHES AND OTHER ITEMS | LINKS

BRUCE RICHARDSON
EMAIL: W9FZ@W9FZ.COM