Today is the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouting in America began on February 8, 1910. That makes me feel old as twenty-five years ago, I was the staff person in charge of a large council “Rendezvous.” It was my last year of working for the Boy Scouts and part of the horrible Fall of 1986, where I found myself with scouting functions every weekend and just about every night, Monday through Thursday, from the day after Labor Day to the week before Thanksgiving. That January, I made the decision to go back to school and left the following September for Pittsburgh, but that’s another story.
The Piedmont Council Rendezvous was held at the Catawba County fairgrounds. I don’t remember the exact numbers, but there were thousands of Boy Scouts camping and probably an equal number of Cub Scouts who came in for the Saturday activities, as well as untold numbers of parents, former scouts, politicians and other interested folks. The weekend went off without a hitch. The weather started off a little wet, but it cleared up and by Saturday afternoon was gorgeous. There were all kind of mountain men and other folks doing demonstrations. That evening, we had a show that included live music, a speech by Miss North Carolina (who charmed us offstage) and James Broyhill, (our local congressman who’d just been appointed to the US Senate where as a Republican, he’d battle it out with Jessie Helms which assured his defeat in the upcoming elections, but that’s another story). The night was capped off by a firework display put on by Zambelli Fireworks.
Everyone did their jobs well and I found myself mostly walking around taking photos and talking to folks. On Saturday morning, I went up in a plane owned by a local scout leader and photographed the event from the air. On Sunday afternoon, after everything was cleaned up and I was home, I’m sure I took a nap.
After the event, I created a slide show of the festivities. The photos you see are copies of slides.
I remember going with my son Josh on a cub scout campout. Much smaller than this but it was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteIt is around a Carpark ?.
ReplyDeleteI wish scouting was as prevalent now as it was in the 50's.
ReplyDeleteAlas, I've mixed emotions about the Scouts. While I had some good times, I really wanted to be outdoors more, which ultimately led me to quit to pursue my personal agenda on my own. My boys were never that hot to join, and I wonder whether my teaching them a wilderness ethos is worth giving up the Scouting experience.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
I enjoyed the Boyscouts when we went camping but not so much the rest of the time. I ended up leaving early too (like R. Sherman) and pursuing other things.
ReplyDeleteI was a Boy Scout. I joined one of the explorer posts, which were open to both genders.
ReplyDeleteSage
ReplyDeleteI always regretted that my father never encouraged me to join scouting. It is a great privilege for our church to host the scouting program of our community for free in our facilities[nd we also host the girl scouts], and this year our Secretary of the Board got the assigment from the American Legion [which sponsors the scouts] to be the official representative in the are. Thanks
That was a spectacular event that was recognized my many luminaries who showed up to acknowledge your efforts! Good memories, I'm sure!!
ReplyDeleteSage
ReplyDeleteIs that you with the beauty queen? do you have a wig on?
I think its so neat that you were so involved in the Boy Scouts. Very natural for you, I would imagine. Especially the nature aspect. I love memories like these. Very special.
ReplyDeleteMy niece is a girl scout over here and she loves it! (I was only a trekker at school, not really a scout).
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
We're still active in Cub Scouts, and a big weekend ahead with the advancement ceremony and "Blue and Gold" banquet, celebrating the Boy Scout's Centennial.
ReplyDeleteMy son really enjoys it... I only spent a few years in scouts. Like Randall, I sought adventure on a deeper, more self-directed level. I'd like to share that with the boy too, although he seems pretty fired up about scouting thus far with Webelos starting next year.
I'm still trying to figure out how I became so involved as a leader! :o
who charmed us offstage
ReplyDeleteI'm not touching that one.
I've never been up in a small plane or helicopter or anything. I think in order to leave the ground, I require a minimum of two engines.