The Natahwop

The Online Journal of the Blue Ridge Scouting History Project

Construction of Camp Ottari ‘Onion Ring’

During the mid-1970s, as Camp Ottari was returned to service as a base camp for the High Knoll Program, long-time staffer Brad Roscoe envisioned, designed and executed a plan for adding an amphitheater on the far edge of the lake. These photos are from his personal scrapbook, circa 1974-75. They show the construction of the campfire circle, installation of the footbridge, installation of the hillside benches, and final landscaping.

Camp Ottari - Onion Ring Construction 1970s
Camp Ottari – Onion Ring Construction 1970s
21 photos


2 responses to “Construction of Camp Ottari ‘Onion Ring’”

  1. Dina Hoernlein Avatar
    Dina Hoernlein

    Thank you for sharing!
    It’s great seeing these pictures.
    Is it true the Onion Ring got it’s name from either (1) looking like the rings of an onion or (2) the only thing to eat was onions and bread so they made onion sandwiches? What is the true story?

    Reply
  2. Brad Roscoe Avatar
    Brad Roscoe

    The first major work on the Onion Ring was done the week after Camp closed for the summer. I got a crew of guys together to stay on and work for a week as long as I fed them. Leon Harvey, the head cook at Powhatan, gave me a 50 lb bag of onions that I could use as part of the food for the workers. Therefore, onions were a part of every meal, including the breakfast scrambled eggs. Hence the name.

    Reply

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