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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.

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.

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.

New Mexico National Guard Repair Dowling Road

 

The National Guardsman from Carlsbad and Hobbs spent a drill weekend at Dowling Aquatic Base learning to operate heavy equipment, using the entrance road as their practice area.  The Guardsman also broke up and removed concrete and other waste materials from the area.  Posing below, with the BSA Centennial banner, are the National Guardsman who helped make your camp a better place.

Thanks to the New Mexico National Guard– you get the job done!

Aquatics Programs on the Pecos River–Dowling Aquatic Base

Reserve your Dowling space now!

Contact the council service center at 575-62-3461, or email conquistador@scouting.org to reserve your space and to get the latest program information. 

Camp Staff Applicants

The camp is seeking staff applications.  Contact the service center.

2010 Dowling Schedule

June 6– Camp staff report

June 14– First Dowling Session

June 21– Second Dowling Session

June 28– Third Dowling Session- Venturing and Boy Scouts

Dowling – Basic Program

Each year the Dowling staff seek some “highlight” activity to offer for the season.

The basic program includes the following merit badges (and related First Class skills):  Swimming, Lifesaving, Rowing, Canoeing, Small Boat Sailing, Motorboating, and Waterskiing.

The camp also offers Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense training, Snorkeling, and BSA Lifeguard.

In addition, the Carlsbad area has many program opportunities for troops to experience:  The Living Desert Museum State Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Sitting Bulls Falls State Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, are just a few.  The convenience of being in Carlsbad provides greater program opportunity to Scouts.

If your troop is traveling from another area, contact the council for recommended sightseeing opportunities of interest to Scouts.

Renovation Update

Phase One through Three plans are moving ahead to renovate the kitchen, enclose the interior walls of the dining area and dormitories, install air conditioning, and add windows to the dormitory areas.  The plan is to have all improvements completed prior to the start of the next season.

Phase Four is the shower/toilet upgrade.  It is uncertain if this phase will be completed prior to summer camp.

Also in the plans are the purchase of some manner of portable sleeping structures that can be air conditioned at night.

Wehinahpay & Dowling Update

SAVE ON 2010 CAMP FEE- Reserve Space Now

Reserve your camp space at Dowling Aquatic Base or Wehinahpay Mountain Camp by October 30 and lock in your camp fee at 2009 rates.

DOWLING IMPROVEMENT UPDATE

See the Dowling Aquatic Base page for current information about the renovation plans.