Camp Pioneer

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For other uses, see Pioneer Scout Reservation.

Camp Pioneer is a rustic Boy Scouts of America camp situated adjacent to the Mount Jefferson Wilderness area within the Willamette National Forest. It is operated by the Cascade Pacific Council of Boy Scouts of America. The camp is located near Idanha, Oregon. Camp Pioneer is leased from the United States National Forest Service for one dollar per year. The lease agreement is for 30 years and is up for renewal in 2017.

Contents

[edit] History

Camp Pioneer was founded in 1936 by Cascade Pacific Council councilman Cap Monroe and a group of Eagle Scouts from Albany, Oregon's troop 22. The Eagle Scouts consisted of Rod Tripp (after whom the Camp's dining hall is christened), Victor and Homer Groening[1] (Uncle and Father to The Simpsons creator Matt Groening), and 7 other scouts. In 2002, a forest fire closed the the camp,[2] with the United States Forest Service using the camp as a command post to fight the fire.[3] In 2003, the camp was again threatened, this time by the B and B Complex forest fire.[4] Fire fighting crews were able to protect the camp from fire damage.[4]

[edit] Camp

Pioneer is situated around Pine Ridge Lake, elevation 4,875 ft (1486 m) at the base of Mt. Jefferson, near the Pacific Crest Trail[5] and Mount Jefferson Wilderness Area.[6] The camp has a second lake, O.A. Lake, named after the Order of the Arrow, a scouting honor organization. The camp hosts an average of 250 Boy Scouts and their adult leaders for a week at a time, beginning the first week of July and ending the third week of August. Many of the camp employees are college students working during their summer break.[7] The camp week begins after Sunday lunch and ends Saturday after breakfast.

[edit] Campsites

Pioneer has ten unique campsites which scouts make their home during their week-long stay at camp.

  • Upper Chapel
  • Umpqua
  • Obsidian
  • Turpentine Peak
  • Mt.Jefferson
  • Santiam
  • Pine Ridge
  • Lookout
  • O.A. Lake
  • Big Fir

[edit] Camp Traditions

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[edit] O-Ma-Chee Marathon

The O-Ma-Chee Marathon is a relay race that takes place around Pine Ridge Lake on Friday afternoon. This race enlists troops, patrols, leaders, and a staff team. The legs of the race consist of several legs of sprinting, a three-legged race, swimming, canoeing, and rowing. The winner is announced at the Saturday morning closing flag ceremony.

[edit] Pioneer Games

The pioneer games are a themed scavenger hunt in which patrols go to each program area and complete a challenge of some sort to receive a token. The winner is announced at the Saturday morning closing flag ceremony.

[edit] Fight Song

The lyrics of the Camp Pioneer Fight Song are

Camp Pioneer we're loyal to your code,
Together we will hike the eagle road,
We love your lofty pines and lake so blue,
Camp Pioneer our memories always turn to you,
In love and friendship we will work and play,
A helping hand to each upon his way,
And may our faces shine,
And spirits intertwine,
Camp Pioneer, that's why we're here, Camp Pioneer.
Hip Hip Hooray,
Hip Hip Hooray,
Hooray, Hip Hip!!

[edit] Pioneer Vespers

The lyrics of the Camp Pioneer vespers are

When this land was untamed and free,
A few brave men built a great country,
Fighting for freedom,
Despite their fears,
We know these men as Pioneers,
High in the mountains where the green meets blue,
Camp Pioneer's calling you.
Here in the Cascades, the spirit lives on,
A brotherhood of love, our voices in song,
Learning to be leaders,
For Future years,
We shall be known as the new Pioneers,
High in the mountains where the green meets blue,
Camp Pioneer's calling you.
Camp Pioneer is calling you.

[edit] See also

Scouting Portal

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Tripp, Julie. Portland filmmaker Homer P. Groening dies. The Oregonian, March 19, 1996.
  2. ^ Cruz, Laurence M. Crews stunt Marion blaze. Statesman Journal, August 17, 2002.
  3. ^ Mount Marion Fire 100% Contained. USDA Forest Service, accessed October 21, 2007.
  4. ^ a b Gault, Roy. Fires take toll. Statesman Journal, September 5, 2003.
  5. ^ Gaalt, Roy. Until the Forest Service clears the area, crossing Milk Creek is a definite challenge. Statesman Journal, August 23, 2007.
  6. ^ Arends, Hank. Campers get variety of experiences. Statesman Journal, March 7, 1999.
  7. ^ Schrogin, Jonah. Camps provide fun summer jobs. Oregon Daily Emerald, April 28, 2003.