From WikiBPSC

Boy Scout Resident Camp was held at Bear Paw from 18 June to 12 August in 2006.

The latest improvements to the Shooting Sports Area were completed in time for use in 2006. Thanks to generous donations from the Paul Ferris family, a block skeet house was constructed on the shotgun range with a remote controlled trap.

[edit] Hitch Lodge is (re)Born

New Hitch Lodge, a popular gathering area

2006 saw a rather unusual capital investment at Bear Paw. For years, the old Order of the Arrow Lodge had been showing obvious signs of wear. Timber trusses had been reinforce with steel cables to prevent bowing of the walls, and building collapse. The encroaching forrest continued to invite ants and moss taking a permanent toll on the beloved building.

With the help of Dan Roarty, an architect and late 1970's staff member, the Bay-Lakes Council embarked on a plan to reconstruct the building, maintaining many architectural features and materials while updating the space to accommodate a modern trading post. After the completion of the 2005 season, the OA Lodge was deconstructed down to the foundation. Roof boards and the half logs of the exterior wall were carefully salvaged and prepared for reuse. A new slab was poured in the rear of the building to allow construction of new service areas. A brand new modern structure was erected on the existing foundation complete with a new surrounding deck and breezeway. Stones were collected and the existing fireplace chimney was extended to match a new roof line.

Refinished floor and recycled ceiling planks

The existing oak floor was given a sanding and a new shine. Salvaged logs were once again used to form the building's skin...standing on their traditional foundation lines, while refinished roof pine formed a new ceiling.

The new Hitch Lodge was dedicated on 29 July 2006 as part of the celebrations for the 60th Anniversary Camp Staff Reunion. A model for camp construction, built almost entirely on volunteer labor, Hitch Lodge demonstrated new ways to respect tradition and move camp forward.

[edit] 2006 Bear Paw Staff

Back Row (Staggered L to R) - Mike Hermans (Camp Director), Andy Anderson (Ranger), Don Kulibert, Matt Kohls, AJ Helland, Chuck Gerarden, Jeremy Jenkins, Matt Mella, Zach Loritz, Andrew West, Derek Fournier, Henry Monahan, Tom Sturdy, Wally VandenBusch, Tom Houser, Austin Felch, Alex Peck, Joe VanSistine, Andy Peck, Tim Neilitz

Third Row (Kneeling L to R) - ..., Dalton Ruff, Cody Grant, Jim LaFleur, Andrew Bublitz, Steve Meaney, Matt Holschuh, Mike Keim, Nick DeWitt, Miles Levi, Nathaniel Besset, Andy Bunch, Eric Duellman, Alex Thill, Alex Weiczorek

Second Row (Kneeling L to R) - Jeremy Burton, Chad Anderson, Jim Johnson, Lee Lamers, Michael Waak, Jim Bugni, Ed Maki, Tim Benway, Paul Vandenelzen, Andrew Speier, Josh Burton, Roger Strebel, Tom Gierke, ...

Front Row (Seated L to R) - Justin Besset, Ian Hornburg, Kevin Corkin, Jenny Mella, LuAnn Matuszek, Sara..., Eric Doro, Jon Mumm, Nathaniel Bohlman, Tim Hopkins

Not Pictured - Neil Walker (Camp Director), Mike Sprangers, Maria Fellin, Kathy Deuscher

[edit] 2006 Bear Paw Events

Bear Paw 60th Anniversary Camp Staff Reunion

60th Anniversary Camp Staff

On July 28-30 Bear Paw hosted a weekend camp staff alumni event to mark the 60th Anniversary of camp. About 125 camp staff members from six decades, (some from four decades themselves) attended the weekend event. Fellowship activities included a camp tour, memorabilia displays, photograph sessions, a campfire, and the dedication of the new Hitch Lodge. The event offered the opportunity for past staff members to become involved in camp and camp needs and was the energy behind formation of the Bear Paw Staff Database. The excitement of the weekend, Sunday breakfast was cooked on the generator as an overnight lightning strike left the Dining Hall without power.

[edit] Links to BPSC.org

• Bear Paw Special Patch Collection
• Bear Paw Staff Database
• Bear Paw Staff Database: 2006 Entry