Spirit Pavilion Dedication

Today I made a trip out to Canyon Camp for the Spirit Pavilion dedication. While out there I ran into a lot of individuals who were at camp for the dedication. Some, like Rich Tobin, were there because there units were at summer camp this week. Unfortunately for Rich he broke his leg on Monday night when the campers were moved to the dining call during a storm. I think he was just looking for a way to stay in the health lodger and avoid the hike up to his camp site. I also met Tim Conway, no not the comedian, who was visiting his son who was on staff for the third year. I found out that Tim had attend Canyon Camp as a youth as did his father. The more people I meet out at camp the more I run across where multiple generations have called Canyon Camp home during the summer. I had dinner with the McFarland's who had recently returned from Scotland and came to the dedication before returning home to Wisconsin (near St. Paul). Another attendee was the daughter of Dr. Gillies. Apparently there is quite a connection between Jean Wurtzel and the Gillies family that Jean filled me in on at dinner.

Unfortunately there were a couple of people who were not able to attend. John Wurtzel was away at summer camp with his troop. John was a key driver in getting the constrution done on the Spirit Pavilion having worked on it almost every weekend this past spring. Fortunately Jean was able to attend. Ron Spielman was also unable to attend due to the passing of his father.

The dedication ceremony put on by Dick Reynolds and Lee Binkley was one of special remembrance. While the pavilion was funded primarily by donations given in honor of scouters who have passed on, the name Spirit is a tribute to those scouters as well as the vast group of other scouters who contribute to the on going spirit of Canyon Camp.

Canyon Camp Visit

This afternoon I was invited out to Canyon Camp to have dinner with the incoming summer camp staff. Each year Dick Reynolds and Lee Binkley start the summer off with a pot luck dinner for the staff and their families. It's a great way for the staff to meet and let their families know they are in good hands for the summer. I also took a tour to see the new construction at Canyon Camp. A new staff cabin was added since last summer. There is a little more to do (staining the exterior) but it is usable and the senior staffers that were moving in seemed pleased with their new home. The other addition is the Spirit Pavilion. John Wurtzel has been putting in a lot of time getting this finished. There is just a little trim to be added and finishing touches on the electric which should be done this week. The staining may have to be done during the summer.