Sunday, October 12, 2014

Boy Scout Camp Staff Reunion - Goin' WAY Back

I love reunions.  Class reunions, Radio Station reunions and now I was recently invited back to a Camp Staff reunion this past Saturday at Camp Ingawanis in Waverly.  I looked forward to it, but didn't know what to expect as I was only on camp staff for 1 year in 1986.  I was on Cub Scout Day Camp staff for many years and enjoyed that, but felt I wanted to try camp staff at least one time before I started full time in radio, so I was a "Camp Commissioner" at both Marble Rock and Wavery.

Camp Staff - 1986
(I'm the 3rd one in from the left)

The reunion was set for 4pm at the Council Ring (main campfire site) at Camp Ingawanis and I arrived about 4:15pm.  When I walked in, I was saddened to see that there had been a Jamboree reunion at 1pm which would have been neat to go to as I was at the 1981 National Jamboree in Fort AP Hill Virginia.

Nevertheless, I strolled in.....and I knew 6 people, 5 of which I liked....if you know what I mean. There were probably 40 of us there, all broken into groups of people who knew each other.  I stayed in a group that knew me and here's how the conversation went...

1.  I see you on Facebook a lot.
2.  I see you still like the Yankees
3.  How's business?
4.  Who are you again?

Like I said, it was neat going back, but wish I would have known more people.  Since serving on staff in 1986, that was a few years ago and as I told Gary Stattler, "Wow....everyone looks old."  A few more grey hairs, a few more tall tails and those damn hills got higher for me.

In 1986 I was a camp commissioner, which I enjoyed.  Here's a photo of me entertaining some kids from Hampton when they came out to see me on visitor's night.

Camp Commissioner - Visitor's Night 1986
Jennifer & Travis Peters

If they have another one, I will more than likely attend.  It was good to see Eric Branson, Gary Stattler, Robert Hagerty, Chad Hagerty and Bill Winder -- even though Bill really had no idea who I was.  I'd certainly like to attend a Woodbadge reunion and Jamboree reunion as well.