Revisiting Camp Bear Paw

Recently, I revisited boy scout camp Bear Paw in Mountain, WI, and had celebrated my 40th anniversary from the time I first attended that camp at the age of 11.  For those who know me and the story of the
Butterfinger candy bars and the raccoon, I had to go back to Fox campsite and relive that moment where my canvas wall tent was, and there was a similar tent in that approximate location which caused me to wonder if the resident scout for the week has had a similar experience to what I had so many years ago.

There are parts of Bear Paw that haven't changed over the years and the "Jesus tree" is still there as is the old mess hall, which now serves as an activity center. Remnants of past troop achievements are still on display in the hall as is past photos of the camp staff in the new mess hall.

Taking my wife through the camp and showing her the old campfire bowl where I received my Eagle medal has now been overgrown and you really have to look hard to find the location.

Improvements have been made to shower facilities and the activity areas throughout the camp and you can still watch the satellites fly over head in the night skies, hear the hoot of an owl and the cry of several nocturnal animals in the wooded areas.

The scouts haven't changed over the years, except for the uniforms, and all scurry to their activity areas, stopping at least once a day at the trading post for the latest and greatest "slurpy" or current sugar beverage.

40 yrs. ago it was a "suicide" ...a concoction of all of the carbonated beverages that were available from the soda dispenser. 

Going back to camp was a treat and it has renewed my interest in getting back to where I once was within the program.

So right now I will have to work on my endurance to swim the mile. It seems so much further than when I was a kid.