Hawk Mountain Camp
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Hawk Mountain Camp is a private Boy Scout camp located in East Brunswick Township, Pennsylvania, outside the Borough of New Ringgold, Pennsylvania, and operated by the Oreland Boy Scout Troop #1. The camp was recently measured to be 17.52 acres. (32.28 acres if you include the railroad right of way) The camp is a 3 mile hike from the Appalachian Trail and the Hawk Mountain Bird Sanctuary.[1]
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[edit] Features
[edit] Boundaries
The camp lies between to landmarks. To the North is Indian Run Road, (or Township Road 755) a light-duty paved road. To the South is an old Lehigh Valley Railroad branch line embankment. This branch line was built in he 1890's and ran from Lizard Creek Junction (near Lehighton) to Blackwood (near Tremont). There are two stone arch bridges at either end of the camp that span the Indian Run as it enters and exits the camp.
[edit] Natural Features
The Indian Run (a tributary to the Little Schuylkill River) bisects the camp. It is the main feature of the camp and was one of the reasons why the troop purchased the land. Its average discharge was measured to be 15 cubic feet per second (cfs). The estimated discharge at flood stage is approximately 85 cfs and highest estimated discharged observed in August 2004, was 250 cfs.
The underlying bedrock of the camp is composed of the mapped Bloomsburg Formation, which is defined as a red to greenish-gray sandstone, siltstone, and shale. The dominate rock type observed in the outcrops surrounding the camp are siltstone with shale partings. The outcrops to the north of the camp are dipping steeply (75° to 90°) but the south outcrops have a gentle dip of 15° to 30°. This might imply a fault running through the camp closely following the track of the Indian Run.
There are two ponds in the camp. The east pond (also known as the Fishing Pond) is a man-made pond measuring 50 feet by 100 feet. It is 4 feet at its deepest spot and stocked with bass and panfish. The west pond (also known as the Swimming Pond) also is a man made pond measuring 50 feet by 75 feet. It is 8 feet deep at its deepest spot. Both ponds host a variety of aquatic and semi-aquatic wildlife including Green Frogs, Eastern Newt, and Northern Water Snake.
At the east edge of the Fishing Pond is a swampy area. This area is largely wild and contains a wide variety of plants, including Cardinal Flower, Red Maple, and Red-Osier Dogwood.
There are maintained grassy fields that were once fallow and the rest of the camp is forested with White Ash, Eastern White Pine, and American Sycamore trees as the dominant tree type. The camp also has two state threatened American Holly trees.
[edit] Structures
The main structure up at camp is 48' X 48' 'pavilion' or main cabin. This cabin was completed for use in November of 2006 after the previous cabin was burned to the ground. The cabin features a dual fireplace, large kitchen and prep area with a twelve burner and 5 X 3 griddle, and three ovens. There are two iceboxes, seating for over 100 people, and two wood burning stoves. In warmer months, the cabin is left open with no windows or doors and in the winter, plastic enclosures and doors are placed.
There are a total of seven lean-tos used for bunk houses. Four of these shelters are located just west of the main cabin and accommodate six campers each. The other three shelters are in individual camping areas around the Fishing Pond.
There are two storage sheds that the troop uses for on-site storage.
A pit latrine exists in one of the fields.
A 174' deep well is next to the main cabin.
[edit] History
[edit] 1960's
September 1961: The Camp property was purchased for the price of $100 per acre. (Estimated total acrage of the land was 15 acres)
October 1961: Construction began on a stone fireplace, a bridge over the Indian Run, and 40' X 16' Main Cabin.
August 4, 1962: The first organized camping trip, the 1st annual Hawk Mountain Summer Camp was held. Both the fireplace and Main Cabin were completed in time. Seven areas were cleared for campsites and a well was dug prior to the trip.
April 1964: Construction of two lean-tos started as well as the excavation of a road down to camp and a pond (a "fishing" pond as it later became known as)
April 1965: Construction of two additional lean-tos, flood control devices, and Chapel Island.
September 1966: The clearing of the two fields were completed. A permanent flag pole and two basketball hoops were installed.
July 1967: A total of six permanent campsites were formally established. Area were filled and stone fireplaces were built.
June 1968: A swimming pond was excavated and a feeder pipe was placed across the field to supply the pond with water. The formal establishment of the campfire site.
December 1968: The first alteration to the main cabin. A fireplace was built covering one entrance and a kitchen area with a six burner stove was built in one corner.
August 1969: The first camporee at Hawk Mountain Camp with Canadian Scouts from Toronto's North Peel District camping at Hawk Mountain Camp. The dedication of the Memorial Chapel to honor former troop member Lt. David R. Wilson who was killed (and listed as missing) in the Vietnam War.
[edit] 1970-1989
March 1978: Construction began on a new lean-to in the new Hawk site. It was completed in April of 1979.
March 1979: Construction began on a new lean-to in the new Beaver site. It was completed in May of 1980.
August 1979: Major overhaul of the campfire site.
May 1980: Construction began on a new lean-to in the new Fox site. It was completed in July of 1981.
[edit] 1990-Present
November 1990: Replacement of the main bridge with a steel I-beam single span.
May 1992: The main cabin was renamed "Hank's Hall" in honor of former Scoutmaster Henry "Hank" Jones Jr.
April 1995: The first marine container used for on-site storage was installed.
August 1995: Began the Gus Irlenborn Nature Trail (Still being constructed)
August 1996: Replacement of the main flood wall in front of Hank's Hall.
August 1997: The start of construction of "Swamp Dock". (Still progressing) Installed second storage shed.
September 1997: Drilled new 174' water well in the vicinity of Hank's Hall.
May 2000: Completed roof over the storage sheds and increased on-site storage capacity.
March 21, 2003: Started the 16' X 20' Hank's Hall addition with demolition of the fireplace.
August 6, 2003: The Hank's Hall addition was formally dedicated at the 42nd annual Summer Camp.
March 20, 2006: Hank's Hall was completely destroyed in a fire ruled an arson.
August 10, 2006: Formal construction of the new Hank's Hall commenced with the first steel beam being set.
[edit] See Also
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps or MapQuest
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Microsoft Virtual Earth, or WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
