Category: Hankins Tales

(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…

(Originally posted to social media on November 22, 2022) In the early 1960s when I first became a Boy Scout I went to my first District Camporee. I do not recall what time of year it was but it was cold. I don’t think that I ever went on one Scout campout that was not…

(Originally posted to social media on January 25, 2023) A lot of my friends will recognize this view at Camp Ottari. When I was the Nature Director many years ago I was the first to make that view available. We would trudge up that mountain each day and take down hundreds of trees and brush…

(Originally posted to social media on January 25, 2023) I got a message from Marc Arrington that his older brother Andy just passed away. He was only 67, still a young man. I remember Andy very well even after all these years. He was a fine young man from Rocky Mt. Virginia. When I was…

(Originally posted to social media on January 10 & 31, 2023) January 10 – I am planning to be at the OA Conclave at Camp Powhatan to tell a story at the campfire. I have been asked by a number of different people to be sure to set that date aside. I have not had…