Conquistador Council

Archive for the ‘Camps’ Category

2011 Camp Reservation- Early Bird Discount- Before October 1

EARLY BIRD CAMP REGISTRATION DISCOUNT

 

WEHINAHPAY MOUNTAIN CAMP and DOWLING AQUATIC BASE.

Reserve your troop site for summer 2011 BY 1 October to qualify for $235 per Scout fee and two adults at no charge. 

 Site reservation fee is $100, payable by October 1.

 This special summer camp fee is available to all troops from any council.

 Contact:          Conquistador Council at 575-622-3461 or email conquistador@bsamail.org                       

 Provide contact information, week, and estimated number of Scouts and leaders.

Our Purpose and Mission

Conquistador Council, Boy Scouts of America

 Dowling Aquatic Base                                    Wehinahpay Mountain Camp

 It is our purpose to promote Scouting programs of developing the ability of boys, and young men and women, to do things for themselves and others, training them in Scoutcraft, and teaching them patriotism,

courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods which are

now in common use by the Boy Scouts of America.

Troop 62- Report on Week at Dowling

Report on our Boy Scout summer camp, June 21 – 25, 2010, Dowling Aquatic Base on the banks of the Pecos River, Carlsbad, New Mexico. 

 

PARTICIPANTS     Scouts:  Max Allen, Darren Chambers, Thomas Lopez, Connor Pederson, and Chris Tagert from the Mesilla Valley Ward – Troop 242,   John Curnutt, Kai Udall, Logan Matthews and Jacob Karl from the Desert Hill Ward – Troop 178,   and Tim Kraus from Troop 62.

Leaders:  Mike Matthews from Troop 178 and Steven Ewing from Troop 242.

 

We shared the camp experience with several other troops.  Both Roswell and Lubbock had large groups.  There were about 100 total scouts, leaders, and staff.  The camp director and head cook was Mr. Guy Eichsteadt from Roswell.  His assistants were Mr. Matthew Corp from Carlsbad and Mr. Bob de la Cruz from Lovington.  Other staff included a nurse and a trading post manager, as well as several junior staff. 

 

Monday (21st):  We met at the Ewing home to pack up with an 8:30 am departure.  Mike Matthews drove his truck to haul our gear along with four scouts.  Steven Ewing borrowed his father’s minivan to transport the other six scouts.  After a drive of about 210 miles, we arrived in Carlsbad about noon.  It was sunny, hot and humid due to a serious rain the night before.  We went to McDonalds for lunch, and returned to camp about 1:00.  The camp began with check-in, medical form reviews, move in time in our tent sleeping areas, and a swim skills test at the city beach area on the Pecos River.  The Scouts are living in two large tents, sleeping on cots or metal bunk beds with mattresses.  The leaders are in two smaller tents on cots with mattresses.  Yes, the leaders have an air conditioner in their tent.   Did I mention that it is hot and humid?  For dinner, we assembled at the flag pole for a staff flag ceremony and welcome.   Dinner is at 6:00, and we were often greeted by swarms of gnats.  We wear our scout shirts to the morning and evening flag ceremonies and meals.   Connor is serving as our Patrol Leader, and we are united as the Red Hot Chile Peppers.  We attended both Patrol Leader and Scout Master meetings to receive needed orientation and instruction and to plan the week’s schedule.  We hung up a humming bird feeder, but the birds never seemed to find it during the week.  Our Scouts agreed to move their stuff to the other tent so that another troop could all be in the same tent.  We had an opening camp-fire program.  The fire was made up of four Tiki Torches and two kerosene lanterns.  We did not need a fire.  Are you remembering that it was hot and sweaty?  The program included welcome, songs, shouts and the expected scout camp skits provided by the staff.  For the week, the camp schedule was pretty consistent with bed time and lights out at 10 – 10:30 pm.   Actual sleeping was often delayed my conversation and heat.  The camp is alongside the Pecos River and the railroad tracks.  We often heard passing trains.

 

Tuesday  (22nd):   The young scouts are excited to get started on aquatics activities.  For a hot summer time, the morning is cooler.  We are frequently reminded to drink, as dehydration can be a real problem in the hot, summer sun.  There is also the need for frequent applications of sun screen.  Different camp duties are rotated between the participating troops.  Our scouts are in charge of the morning and evening flag ceremony, song and grace today.  We split into two groups with five scouts participating in each ceremony.  The morning song was something about rowing your boat underneath the stream.  After the morning flag ceremony at 7:00 and breakfast, the scouts rotated through two 75 minute merit badge classes; canoeing at the boat dock and life saving at the beach area.   This morning we were split into two groups of five scouts, and we traded places half-way through with a quick drive.  Lunch is less structured at about noon.  Our scouts shared the same afternoon classes at the boat dock area.  Again, they are split into smaller groups, but they all participated in the rowing merit badge, kayaking and snorkeling.  The kayaking and snorkeling activities are not merit badges, but are combined into a Snor-kay achievement certificate.  We decided that Kayorkeling would be a much better name.  Can you imagine kayaking and snorkeling at the same time?   A good part of the merit badge work today involved teaching and learning as discussion work, but the guys did get in the water for some of the time.  The afternoon activities make the river area quite busy.  Other scouts are working with motor boating, sail boating, and sail boarding.  At each water activity the scouts have to keep track of their personal identification tags on the Buddy Board.  The whistle blows for Buddy Check about every thirty minutes.  There is a fair amount of work involved in moving the boats, oars/paddles, PFD’s (personal flotation devices/life jackets), and other class supplies between the boat house and the river each day.   The leaders were invited and encouraged to participate in the classes with the boys.  Often during the river time, there was some fun time for unstructured water events including swimming and water play-time, canoeing, rowing, and kayaking.  In camp, when there is not a class or a meal, the scouts often made their own fun with games, cards, or another activity.  One staff member named William from Artesia had the coolest deck of cards.  They were made out of transparent plastic.  For the evening meal, we again did the flag ceremony, song and grace.  The evening song was all about sharks, a swimming scout, and a shark attack.  Four of our scouts had not taken care of their ID tags on the buddy board, so they were pronounced dead.  We had a moment of silence, but dinner seemed to revive them.  We will all be more careful with this safety requirement.  A couple of the scout leaders completed the mile swim in the river this afternoon.  After dinner, we hiked along the River Walk to the Carlsbad Rec. Center.  We spent the evening here with some other scout groups for ping pong, pool, basketball, video games, TV and other activities.   We hiked a pontoon bridge on the return to camp.  We had another warm night.  Oh, well.

 

Wednesday (23rd):   After the morning routine and breakfast, the regular morning classes began.  In order to more equally balance class sizes, we combined for the morning work so all ten of our scouts are together for the canoeing class and then for the life saving class.  Today’s classes were mostly in the water.  The canoeing and rowing classes involved practice with getting in and out of the boats and the scouts practiced the procedures involved when the boats capsize, must be turned back over, and returned to the dock.  Our camp duty for the day was to empty the trash from the kitchen, dining area and shower/restrooms after each meal.  Another troop was willing to help us, and traded our evening meal preparation and clean-up duties, so we could leave.  Some local scout leaders brought in a large grill for dinner.  We left before dinner and drove into town for a 6:00 movie.  Thanks to Russell Allen and Allen Theaters we enjoyed the new Karate Kid movie AND the air conditioned theater.  Did I mention that Carlsbad is hot and sweaty?  It was a fun movie, and now we all want to study martial arts.  Anyway, we were shocked to find that while we were in the movie, the weather became much cooler which made for a rather pleasant evening.  We had a belated dinner saved for us in camp.  The camp also had a later evening movie, Treasure Island, that some of the scouts watched.  The camp director and cook left for business in Rowell.  He will return later tomorrow.  Our camp duty today was to clean the showers and toilets on the youth side.  What a fun, learning experience!

 

Thursday (24^th):  This morning began extra early for some of us.  Steve accepted the assignment to be the chief cook for camp breakfast.  With the capable assistance of Mike, Connor, Tim and Logan (as well as a few other scout leaders), we prepared ham and sausage, scrambled eggs, and both regular pancakes and a special recipe of apple pancakes for a breakfast.  With about 100 total people in camp, that was a lot of preparation and cooking.  Our troop was also in charge of the morning meal set-up and clean-up duties.  Steve stayed in the kitchen to help clean up during the canoeing class.  There is a trading post in camp where the campers can buy snacks and souvenirs.  Each day, staff members leave Land Sharks hidden around camp.  If a scout finds one, he can take it to the trading post for a reward.  Also there is a morning bunk inspection each day where three or four scouts receive a clean bunk award from the trading post.  Five of our scouts received this recognition.  Do you suppose they clean their rooms at home?   Now that the camp week in nearly over, we have settled into the daily routine.  The life saving class practiced their rescue techniques, including the stretcher board for an injured swimmer and quick removal of street clothes to jump in for a water rescue.  The scouts are finishing off and passing the final requirements for their badges and certificates.  Eight scouts and leaders completed the mile swim, including one leader who went two miles.  As the classes were completed there was extra free-time in the water today.   There was some stress in camp during the later afternoon.  A State Health Inspector was in to check on us.  I should mention the showers.  It is hot and sweaty during the activities each day AND the river water is less than clean.  It is nice to rinse and wash off in the late afternoon.  After dinner, we had the closing camp fire program.  The Tiki torch and kerosene lantern routine was the same.  This time much of the entertainment came from the participation of the campers with songs, skits, yells and stories.  Did you enjoy the story about the cub scouts?  Remember to look both ways before crossing, especially is there is purple dragon around.  The camp evening movie was the Hunt for Red October.  We had the extra treat of genuine Boys Scout popcorn.  We are about ready to go home.

 

Friday (25^th):  We are getting tired with so much activity, the heat and less sleep than we would like. We were up early for the last morning.   Our scouts and leaders started the day by packing, loading the vehicles, and cleaning up our areas.  We were assigned to clean the adult side showers and bathrooms.  Since the camp was ending this week, we were asked to help with take down and put away duties.  It was very hard work as we moved and stored away the mattresses, bunks and cots, took down the four large tents and put them away and moved the large wooden pallets that were tent platforms.  We said our thank yous and good byes about 10:30.  There was also a morning advisor meeting and some check out paperwork to complete.   We made a stop at Wendy’s for Ice Cream before the return drive.  The scouts and leaders were all safely back home by about 4 pm.  The camp was well run, well organized, well equipped, fun, busy and hot.  The scouts were friendly, cooperative, kind and involved.  There were a few minor cuts, bruises, and sun burns, but we were grateful for many memorable adventures, good friendship, learning, safety and fun.

2011 Camp Reservation By Oct. 1

Make your 2011 camp reservation by October 1 to lock in the 2010 fee.

The camp fees will increase, following a plan to increase staff salaries, to attract and retain good camp staff.  The staff are being paid far below other camps and we need to be competitive.

Contact the council service at 575-622-33461 to lock in your reservation.

Promote camp– get another troop to attend next season– contact the service center– and earn a special camp recognition.

2011 camp season is gearing up now!

Wehinahpay Mountain Camp- aerial view

Wehinahpay Mountain Camp is operated by the Conquistador Council, BSA.  At an elevation of 8,500 feet in the Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico, the camp offers all outdoor Scout camping (except aquatics).  Programs include Outdoor Living Skills (Scoutcraft or campcraft), Ecology-conservation, Handicrafts, Shooting sports (rifle, shotgun, archery).  The camp also offers C.O.P.E. and climbing. 

In 2008 construction was completed on the C.O.P.E. course, the climbing tower, shooting range shelters, camper showers, the ecology center, and the staff cabins.  Future renovations include the former health lodge, the cook’s cabin, the Lake Lodge, and old director’s cabin.

The camp is open for year-round use with some blackout dates during hunting season.  The summer camp season is generally from mid-June to the end of July.

The camp is in Potato Canyon, near Weed New Mexico.  The campsites are located in pine and fir forest, and the canyon floor is grass covered meadow.  The humidity is low, the breeze is fresh and cool, and there are no mosquitoes.  Wildlife commonly seen include elk and turkey, the occasional bear, and the shy coyote.

Dowling Aquatic Base- aerial view

Dowling Aquatic Base, operated by the Conquistador Council, is on the Pecos River in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  The summer camp program offers swimming, lifesaving, rowing, canoeing, sailing, sailboarding, kayaking, motorboating, waterskiing, and other BSA aquatic programs.

The Uniform You Wear

The Boy Scout Uniform

      You are someone special,

      Not because you wear the uniform,

      But because you work hard to be worthy of

      The uniform you wear.

                        Don Carrison/ Rod Walsh

History of Dowling Aquatic Base

WATER CAMPS OF THE CONQUISTADOR COUNCIL

From “The Saga of Potato Canyon,” by Minor Huffman

The water camp became a reality in 1928.  The first week was held at Lake Van near Dexter.  We borrowed some boats and other equipment and with  a few instructors that had been trained by the Red Cross we launched a training program in wter activities that has improved and grown with the need.  The name was later changed from Water Camp to Aquatic Camp…

It became evident soon after the council organization that we needed some specific site for training in water activities.  This included swimming, rowing, canoeing, sailing, water safety, and lifesaving.  “Our Mountain” camping did not lend itself to swimming.  The water was entirely too cold for long periods of instruction.

For many years beginning in 1927 we camped at Lake Van near Dexter.  This was a good location but facilities were limited.  In spite of that many Scouts learned to swim and passed numerous swimming and lifesaving merit badges.  We always managed to scrape up a few canoes and rowboats for this camp.

…The council moved from Lake Van to Alamogordo Lake (now Sumner Reservoir) north of Ft. Sumner…they (then) moved the camp to Conchas Lake, which is thirty miles northwest of Tucumcari…after completing a study it was decided to locate this needed facility at Carlsbad so in 1953 the plans began to unfold.

The location was in the City of Carlsbad on the east side of the Pecos River, adjoining the S.W. Public Service facilities.

Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis Meade gave eight of acres of land to the Council Trust Fund, with the understanding that this block of land would be traded to the Public Service Co. for approximately two acres of river front land.  Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis Meade of Carlsbad gave the land in memory of their deceased son, Roderick Jarvis Meade, who was a Scout and was stricken with polio.

The property was sold to the (Amusement) Park group and then a new location was found on South James Street…the land owners (were) Oscar and Frances Dowling, and they made the donation of the land to the Scouts in memory of their son James, who had been a Boy Scout.

The aquatic camp was once the site of several Mescalero Indian camps prevalent in the area from about 900 A.D. until settlement by the white man in 1880.

Camp Tradition- “Yoh ta hey”

Some early camp traditons are worth bringing back.  One of these at We-hin-ah-pay is the morning “wake up call” by the camp director.  The camp director calls out to the campers and each troop site replies signifying that they are awake and ready to begin the day.

One call is the greeting “yoh ta hey.”  Or the camp director calls out “We-hin-ah-pay” and each troop site responds with their site name.

Building spirit and pride and lifetime memories is the heart of the  Boy Scout summer camp adventure.

Dowling Aquatic Base

WATER CAMPS

From “The Saga of Potato Canyon,” by Minor Huffman

 

The water camp became a reality in 1928.  the first week was held at Lake Van near Dexter.  We borrowed some boats and other equipment and with  a few instructors that had been trained by the Red Cross we launched a training program in wter activities that has improved and grown with the need.  The name was later changed from Water Camp to Aquatic Camp…

 

It became evident soon after the council organization that we needed some specific site for training in water activities.  This included swimming, rowing, canoeing, sailing, water safety, and lifesaving.  “Our Mountain” camping did not lend itself to swimming.  The water was entirely too cold for long periods of instruction.

 

For many years beginning in 1927 we camped at Lake Van near Dexter.  This was a good location but facilities were limited.  In spite of that many Scouts learned to swim and passed numerous swimming and lifesaving merit badges.  We always managed to scrape up a few canoes and rowboats for this camp.

 

…The council moved from Lake Van to Alamogordo Lake (now Sumner Reservoir) north of Ft. Sumner…they (then) moved the camp to Conchas Lake, which is thirty miles northwest of Tucumcari…after completing a study it was decided to locate this needed facility at Carlsbad so in 1953 the plans began to unfold.

 

The location was in the City of Carlsbad on the east side of the Pecos River, adjoining the S.W. Public Service facilities.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis Meade gave eight of acres of land to the Council Trust Fund, with the understanding that this block of land would be traded to the Public Service Co. for approximately two acres of river front land.  Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis Meade of Carlsbad gave the land in memory of their deceased son, Roderick Jarvis Meade, who was a Scout and was stricken with polio.

 

The property was sold to the (Amusement) Park group and then a new location was found on South James Street…the land owners (were) Oscar and Frances Dowling, and they made the donation of the land to the Scouts in memory of their son James, who had been a Boy Scout.

 

The aquatic camp was once the site of several Mescalero Indian camps prevalent in the area from about 900 A.D. until settlement by the white man in 1880.

In this arid land, the broad range of aquatic training provided at Dowling is a rarity.  Come to where ‘Water is Magic,” and learn new aquatic skills.