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.
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.
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.
Located in Potato Canyon, in the Sacramento Mountains, near Weed, New Mexico, Wehinahpay has been the summer camp of the Conquistador Council since 1927. The first council Boy Scout summer camps were conducted at Pine Lodge, at the foot of Capitan Peak and in Ruidoso, in 1925 and 1926. The name We-hin-ah-pay means “The Place Where the Morning Sun Gathers.” At 8,500 foot elevation, the camp is in a valley covered by pine and fir forest, surrounded by national forest land. A welcome change from the prairie heat and humidity, the camp has low humidity, cool breezes, and no mosquitoes. Elk are common, as are grazing cattle, and one might see an occasional wild turkey or the shy coyote. Bears are known to travel through the camp but seeing one is rare.
Want to camp in a mountain camp for change? Check out We-hin-ah-pay.
September 17-19 is the Wehinahpay Winter Wood Cut and other “fix up” projects.
Contact the council service center at 575-622-3461 or email conquistador@scouting.org by September 12 to confirm your attendance.
The morning plan (Saturday) is to split and stack wood for the Lake Lodge and the Maddox Center for winter use. Other projects include painting the interior of the cook’s cabin and the painting the floor of the Maddox Center.
The afternoon is time for Scouts to enjoy being in the mountains.
It was a chilly, and sometimes rainy, weekend at Dowling Aquatic Camp, as more than 30 Scouts and adults gathered to help make the camp ready for the summer. Projects included installing sheetrock in the dormitory building, cleaning around the exterior of the building, and checking and cleaning the boat equipment. Scouts learned to “measure twice, cut once” as they prepared and then installed sheetrock.
Thanks to all the Scouts and parents from Carlsbad, Artesia, and Lovington, who turned out to help with the project.
And a special “tip of the ol’ campaign hat” to Steve Massey who installed the framing and later returned to complete the taping and prepare the new wall for painting.
There are more tasks to be completed: building decks for the new tents, cleaning the floors in the dormitory, moving the kitchen equipment back into place, and setting up the new tents and cots. Scouts will be called on once more before Dowling opens for the summer season.
Learning a new skill
Removing overgrown grass
Mowing the grass
The old adage "Measure twice, cut once"Up goes the sheetrockCleaning the showersThe "art" of fitting sheetrockDriving screws is not so easyA job well done
Over 170 inches of snow fell on Wehinahpay, with over 4 feet on the ground most of the season. The snow is melting off, and little damage is expected, but campsite damage is unknown.
The county highway and the Forest Service road into Wehinahpay are in good condition considering the rough winter. With the recent warm weather, the camp roads should be open soon.
During a recent visit, a reminder that this is fire season came when Larry Crawford, the camp ranger, was called to assist fighting a fire started by campers. Earlier in the week a burned a large field near Mayhill. The winter snows should make the camp green and lessen likely forest closure and fire threat.
Maddox Building- Snow covers the health lodgeSnow to the Trading PostSnow in the Family AreaForest Road Into CampLarry Crawford with Water Tanker
Camporall patch 2010
Nearly 300 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, volunteer leaders and parents, participated in the 2010 Camporall hosted on the campus of the New Mexico Military Institute. The weather couldn’t have been better and the cadets provided an exciting mix of challenging activities for all ages.
The good news is that attendance increased from last year! The bad news is that more patches must be ordered. The patches will be mailed to leaders, and extra patches will be on sale at the Scout Service Center.
Friday evening program began with a terrific outdoor barbecue on Stapp Field. Recognizing this is the BSA Centennial year, the movie “Follow Me Boys” was shown in Mabee Hall, which helped set the tone for the weekend.
The New Mexico National Guard provided a portable climbing wall, and Scouts used campus facilities: confidence course, air rifle, field activities, compass course, scavenger hunt, museum tour, bowling, swimming. The highlight of the day was visiting with cadets and learning about life and education at the Institute as well as sharing personal Scouting history (for example, one Eagle Scout cadet is from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where they catch what they eat on an island campout).
Meals in the dining facility were good and part of the fee, making it much easier for everyone to participate and greatly simplifying camping equipment needs and planning.
Cadets taught the Scouts about traditions and courtesies of the Cadet Corps, including the “rendering of honors” for flag ceremonies, and the many bugle calls heard throughout the day. The Scouts participated in the evening Flag Retreat.
Prior to the evening flag ceremony, there was a demonstration by the Cadet Drill Team that had just earned honors in recent competition.
Sunday morning, following “striking camp,” the Scouts participated in a chapel service, with outstanding singing by the Cadet Choir, followed by the Sunday brunch.
NMMI- Cadet Drill Team
Plans are developing for 2011 with some new program “twists,” with more district leaders engaged in the planning and program delivery.
The Camporall is an exciting event, a real highlight of the program year, develops pride in belonging and council spirit. (Imagine the Cub Scout on Monday telling his friends about the climbing wall and showing off his target!)
Start now- plan to attend the 2011 Camporall!
Pack 145 at the 2010 Camporall
Evening Flag Retreat
Ever sit in camp and ask “what’s beyond that hill?”
Scouts attending Wehinahpay this summer will have a chance to hike beyond the skyline. They will hike the trails once traveled by Apaches, Conquistadors, mountain men, cowboys, and loggers through the Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico.
Trail hikes will begin on Tuesday evening providing time for Scouts to be in camp programs for two days and also acclimatize to the altitude.
Trail Hike 1, the ”Sunrise Hike, will be an overnight backpacking trip, Tuesday afternoon, spending the night on a high point with a sunrise view, and returning to camp to join troops going on other day trips.
Trail Hike 2 to Sacramento Lookout will be a two-night experience, also starting out Tuesday evening, and returning on Thursday, with one night on the trail and one night camping near the lookout, where there is good view of the night lights of El Paso.
Trail Hike 3 to Sunspot National Solar Observatory, with possible observatory program or facility tour, starting out Tuesday afternoon and returning on Friday.
All hike groups require two adult leaders (could be shared leadership among troops) and will be accompanied by a camp staff guide.
Participants must bring sturdy backpack, good footwear, poncho, sleeping bag or blanket, sleeping pad, 1 quart canteen or water bottle, and other items listed in Scout Handbook. Food will be provided. There will be an equipment review prior to start of the hike.
Forest Service travel regulations will be observed. The possiblility of forest closure due to high fire danger is possible.
Rim Trail Hke: Troops may want to use Wehinahpay as the base camp for a longer hike on the Rim Trail, starting at Cloudcroft. Contact the council service center for more information about “base camp” opportunity. Or, with adequate troop leadership, younger Scouts may be in Wehinahpay camp program while other adult leaders take older Scouts on the Rim Trail.
Registration: Sign up for one of the hikes prior to camp to help camp staff plan for adequate support (trail guide, water, meals, transportation).
For more information about Wehinahpay Mountain Camp or Dowling Aquatic Base, contact the council service center at 575-622-3461 or email conquistador@scouting.org.
The 2010 Friends of Scouting recognition council shoulder patches (CSP) have arrived and will be distributed soon to all who have earned them. The only way to get one of these CSP’s, featuring the Scout Law and a distinctive design for each district, is to make a contribution in the amount required for the recognition.
For more information, or to increase your contribution to qualify for the recognition, contact the Conquistador Council (575-622-3461) or email conquistador@scouting.org.
FOS 2010- CSP Conquistador Council
2010 FOS-CSP- Chisum Trail- LOYAL
FOS 2010 CSP- El Llano Grande- TRUSTWORTHY
FOS 2010 CSP- Oil Patch- HELPFUL
2010 FOS CSP- Rio Hondo- FRIENDLY
