1946

From WikiBPSC

Boy Scout Resident Camp was held at Bear Paw from July to August in 1946.

After the purchase of land by the Nicolet Area Council in November of 1945, the push was on to form a new camp in time for the summer season. A massive fund raising drive was under way under the guidance of Council President Mike Anuta. Council Executive Ed Rowley set to work hiring a Camp Ranger and planning new buildings. Service roads and campsites were cleared and plans were drafted for the first buildings. By July, a physical camp was established and with Rowley as Camp Director, the first Green Bay scouts camped at Bear Paw Scout Camp.

In 1946, most of the physical facilities were under the planning stages, with few under construction and even fewer finished. Among the first buildings constructed in camp were Pine Lodge (shown under construction in the 1946 Staff photo) and the Camp Store/Dining Hall (which was later relocated and expanded to become). During the summer, two donated buildings were moved from area Civilian Conservation Corps camps and remodeled to serve as the Original Ranger's Residence and a garage and repair shop.

The story of the formation of Bear Paw Scout Camp is best told by the Camp Director's son in this Allyn Rowley Essay.

1 A hi-adventure Wilderness Camp In the Nicolet Forest
2 1946 Bear Paw Staff
3 Links to WikiBPSC
4 Links to BPSC.org

[edit] A hi-adventure Wilderness Camp In the Nicolet Forest

The following taken directly from a 1946 camp promotional flyer

A Real Boy Scout Camp for Real Scouts

To those of us who have been in on the purchase and development of this camp, it seems that Providence intended that Bear Paw Lake should become the site of the Nicolet Area Boy Scout Camp. We believe this to be true since this half section of 320 acres of land was reserved by the Oconto Company, while all the surrounding territory was sold to the Federal Government for the Nicolet Forest purposes. All these years it has remained untouched and practically unused, save for the occasional camper, fisherman, and hunter, waiting for the time when the Local Boy Scout Council would take it over to become the wilderness camp reservation for he Scouts of present and coming generations.

Bear Paw Lake gets its name from its shape. One might imagine that a giant prehistoric bear, in its ramblings through the North woods, might have placed a front paw in this particular spot and shifted most of his weight onto it as he stealthily watched some object of prey, and then bounded away leaving its foot print deeply embedded in the sands to form this beautiful lake. Nature, in this case, as in the surrounding territory, has encouraged the growth of beautiful white and Norway pines over the entire area. Men cut most of these in years gone by, but again, the beauty of the spot and the guidance of Providence caused them to leave a beautiful stand of these magnificent White and Norway Pines along the North West shore of the lake. There are hundreds of these, ranging in age from relatively young trees to hundreds of years old. The shores of the lake are luxuriant with growth and rise to and elevation of from 25' to 50' above the water level. In no places are these sheer rock outcrops, but rather moderate slopes covered with vegetation. IN about three different places on the shore line, there are small spruce low lands carpeted with a heavy growth of moss. These offer opportunities for campers to study the natural growth of such areas, but are not swampy in any respect.

The shore at the water's edge consists of white sand and fine grave, and probably 75% is free from vegetable growth and would make excellent beaches.

The hinterland is all covered with a luxurious growth of tress including most of the popular native ones. There are some moss covered low lands, but by far, the greater portion of the area is high with sharp dips and pockets that challenge the nature lover to investigate them.

The Federal Forestry Service assures us that we are to have access for hikes, nature study, laying of trails and to our campers, literally thousands of acres of interesting territory.

WIthin a mile of the camp are numerous interesting rock outcrops, where the underlying granite of the Lawrentian Plateau breaks through the surface and rises in heights above the normal land level to possibly 100 feet or more. All of these will be interesting spots to the campers that have not had the privilege of seeing this type of formation in their normal life.

The Camp Development Committee is providing all of the necessary facilities for a safe and healthful camping experience, but in no case is it going beyond these requirements. It is the plan that every Scout will have ample opportunity to do real honest Scout camping in God's Great Out of Doors. In most cases, Scouts will live in tents. These will be on wood floors for the less experienced camper and will be provided with cots, pads, etc.

Some of the developments shown on the map will not be completed this season. The camp store will be used as the central kitchen and dining hall in 1946. A the present time the committee is not sure of the development of any of the other buildings. If possible, the health lodge and the boat house with staff quarters above will be completed, and of course, there will be all of the sanitary facilities necessary and ample safe drinking water supply. The water front will be ready and under the supervision of a qualified director.