Month: May 2024

(Originally posted to social media on September 21, 2021) My last public appearance with the Heart Of Virginia Council was at a huge Council Camporee down near the Richmond Raceway complex. I had been asked to tell a story at the main camporee program on Saturday night. There were probably 6000 people in that crowd….

(Originally posted to social media on January 17, 2022) The previous story about the greased pig (see blog post of January 18, 2018) reminded me that you never knew what to expect from Boy Scouts. Many years back there was a survival campout involving troop 400 from Richmond. Most of these kids were affluent young…

(Originally posted to social media on February 11, 2022) I want to issue a public and profound apology to someone I barely know. The young lady’s name is Phyllis Leary Newbill, and she lives in the Blue Ridge Mts Council area. From what I can gather she hates me for stealing one of her rattlesnakes…

(Originally posted to social media on April 19, 2022) Years ago and just before I retired, my wife and I were walking together in Richmond. I do not recall the exact location because that has no bearing on this incident. In either case, a young man approached me and he squared himself in front of…

(Originally posted to social media on May 1, 2022) I worked for the Boy scouts of America for nearly 46 years, an d 36 of those years were as a full-time Camp Ranger. The other years were as seasonal Camp staff at various camps across the country. One of the requirements of that job was…

(Originally posted to social media on May 17, 2022) Many years ago and back when I was only about 18 I worked at Philmont Scout Ranch as a Ranger. This was a massive scout facility in the high mountains of Northeastern New Mexico. It was an incredible experience on every level and I got to…

(Originally posted to social media on May 22, 2022) When I first started working at Camp Powhatan back in the late 60s I was still very young. In 1968 I would not turn 16 until November of that year. I did not own a car so on weekends I would stay behind in Camp and…

(Originally posted to social media on August 11, 2022) I was deeply saddened to see that the BRMC is selling the Claytor Lake Aquatics Base. I worked there for two seasons as a summer Ranger but in that time I fell in love with the facility. The lake itself was the primary feature that was…

(Originally posted to social media on August 22, 2022) This is an insane photo from the first or second year of High Knoll Trail Camp. I do not remember being that skinny. This was at the logging days camp on White Oak Creek. This is in the broad shadow of Chimney rock mountain. This photo…

(Originally posted to social media on September 26, 2022) A good friend just sent a message letting me know that L. E. Byrum has passed away. I have not had any contact with L.E. since I retired 8 years ago. There was a time when he and I were very good friends. Any staff members…