Edward N. Cole Canoe Base
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Edward N. Cole Canoe Base or Cole Canoe Base (known colloquially as "CCB" or just "Cole" ) is a Boy Scout Camp and Canoe Base for the Detroit Area Council / Boy Scouts of America in Ogemaw County, Michigan. This camp has been a nationally accredited "A" Rated Camp since 1980. The camp was originally called the Rifle River Scout Canoe Base prior to 1977 when the base's name was changed in honor of Edward N. Cole.
[edit] Location and Geography
Cole Canoe Base is located in Ogemaw County, Michigan, one mile west of Skidway Lake, and roughly 10 miles south of West Branch. The camp has an Alger postal address, although Alger is in adjacent Arenac County.
[edit] History
Cole Canoe Base has a history[1] dating back to the mid-late 1960s, first starting out as a rack of canoes sending people out to canoe on the Rifle River and growing to become a full-featured BSA camping facility. In its nearly 40 year history of offering a summer camp program, it has developed into an outstanding camp thanks to the Boy Scout troops and Venturing crews that come here from across the region and the outstanding staff that work at Cole Canoe Base all summer and year round. The camp also provides experienced Scouters with several canoeing options, including a 50 mile, a 70 mile, and (as of 2005) a 100 mile trip.
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1964 | Purchased from Bob and Wilma Foresman |
| 1967 | Purchased two 40-acre parcels from Consumers Power Company |
| 1968 | Purchased river frontage at base camp from Consumers Power Company. Built five campsites: Deer Run, Lucky Portage, Silver Creek, Broken Paddle, and Maple Flats |
| 1969 | First summer camp at what was then called Rifle River Scout Canoe Base |
| 1974 | Shop built |
| 1975 | Ranger's house built |
| 1976 | Suspension bridge erected across the Rifle River and shower building built by Bolivian Peace Corps Training Units. Bosco Lake developed and filled by Army Corps of Engineers |
| 1977 | Camp renamed Edward N. Cole Canoe Base by funds donated by Edward Nicholas Cole, President of General Motors Corp and Detroit Area Council President in 1962. Service building and Bosco Lake completed. |
| 1978 | Tenth anniversary of Cole Canoe Base |
| 1979 | Health lodge and rifle range built |
| 1979 | Memorial flag pole at service building dedicated |
| 1980 | Nationally accredited "A" Rated Camp for the first time, and has been so every year since |
| 1983 | First full service season of summer camp, also first 100% national inspection. Pavilion built and dedicated by Troop 191, DAC Thunderbird District |
| 1985 | Front entrance built and dedicated to Ken Poulson |
| 1986 | Purchased 640 acres from the Greenwood Sportsman Club by the Martins and Slaviks |
| 1987 | Dedication of the Don and Olive Martin Wilderness property |
| 1987 | Dedication of the Joseph F. Slavik and Stephen F Slavik, Sr. Wilderness property |
| 1988 | Twentieth anniversary of Cole Canoe Base |
| 1992 | Claycomb Ecology and Conservation (Eco-Con) Pavilion opened and dedicated in July |
| 1993 | Eco-Con learning center opened and vehicle storage building built |
| 1994 | New Broken Paddle Campsite opened. New shotgun range opened. Rifle range pavilion built and archery range remodeled |
| 1995 | Otto F. Kamman shotgun range built and dedicated |
| 1996 | Big pavilion addition, new trading post and new crafts pavilion built. Waterfront Borich flagpole dedication. Bosco lake boating area pavilion built |
| 1997 | Cosgro campfire arena dedicated. Lucky Portage, Aspen, Deer Run and Broken Paddle campsites adopted. Michael Wearn Chapel opened and dedicated. New latrines in Broken Paddle and High Banks |
| 1998 | Thirtieth anniversary of Cole Canoe Base. Electrical power to Eco-Con and second Eco-Con learning center opened. Deer Run, Maple Flats, and Silver Creek campsites adopted. New gateway built, Rifle River campsite enlarged and adopted. Archery pavilion built. Sporting clays event added at the Otto F. Kamman Shotgun Facility |
| 1999 | Electrical power to Eco-Con, Rifle Range, and Cosgro Campfire Arena. Rifle Range rebuilt and expanded |
| 2000 | New shower building built and opened. New latrines in Rapids, Archery/Rifle River and North Landing |
| 2001 | New Latrine built in Aspen. Two new campsites developed south of Silver Creek |
| 2002 | New outpost campsite, Whispering Pines developed west of the Rifle River. OKPIK cold weather camp developed. New latrine at Deadwood/Deadwood Oaks; Deadwood adopted. |
| 2003 | Kamman Administration Center remodeled and dedicated. New latrine in Maple Flats. Crafts and Outdoor Skills pavilions expanded. Bouldering Wall built in Climbing Area. Flagpole added to Rifle Range. Jacket and Paddle Building rebuilt |
| 2004 | Main Pavilion expanded and dedicated to John Dumas. Cosgro Campfire Arena expanded. New latrine at Lucky Portage. In September, the vehicle storage building burns down and is rebuilt |
| 2005 | In August, the Climbing Wall constructed in the climbing/bouldering area. Main span of swimming dock replaced. Interior of Kamman Center refurbished. Old refrigeration unit removed and a larger one is built onto the Kamman Center. Rapids campsite adopted. Archery range rebuilt and dedicated to the late Frank DeDene, a lifelong lover and volunteer of Cole |
| 2006 | First arm of swimming dock replaced. Overhang added to Rifle Range. Aspen campsite expanded to the east. Deer Run and White Pines latrines torn down and rebuilt. New pavilion at Deadwood built and donated by Troop 1736. |
| 2007 | Aquatics latrine torn down and rebuilt. New kayak storage racks built. New pavilion in Aspen built by Troop 86. Last leg of swimming dock replaced. Bathrooms in the Kamman Center are gutted and refurbished. CCB is the first high adventure camp to host a National Camp School. |
| 2008 | Fortieth Anniversary of Cole Canoe Base. The year 2008 faces to be th biggest challenge in the history of the Canoe Base, with attendance dwindling, and income being reduced. |
[edit] Campsites & Cabins
[edit] Campsites
Cole Canoe Base has 17 wonderful campsites, each including a flagpole, fire ring, and latrine. The following are the campsites:
- Aspen
- Bridgeview
- Broken Paddle
- Buckhorn
- Deadwood
- Deadwood Oaks
- Deer Run
- High Banks
- Island Rapids
- Lucky Portage
- Maple Flats
- Maple Highlands
- Rapids
- Rifle River
- Silver Creek
- Tall Pines
- White Pines
[edit] Cabins and Other Living Quarters
Cole Canoe Base has one cabin for campers, located west of the Rifle River, known as "White Pines." During the summer months, the cabin is occupied only by old and elderly male staffers. The campsite, which is on the lawn of the cabin, is mainly utilized during the summer for the summer camp program.
In addition to the White Pines Cabin, the camp has a rustic hunting lodge, known as "Green Cabin," or "Hunter's Cabin" which is left over on land far from the main camp that was previously owned by the Greenwood Sportsman Club. On this same plot, but actually along Greenwood Road, is the "White House," which houses the camp director and other leaders. The house has a history of black mold, mice, and snake problems. Other staff members lodge themselves in the Staff Area lodge where they sleep in army tents.
[edit] Summer Program
From mid-June to mid-August, the camp staff inflates and a series of identical week-long programs exist for summer campers. During this time, the camp generally fills to capacity with people participating in the summer camp programs. The camp also hosts campers who are utilizing the river, with a variety of river trips offered.
[edit] Merit Badges Offered
During the week-long programs, each of the various activity areas offers instruction in various merit badges, as well as other certifications[2].
* indicates an Eagle-required merit badge
[edit] Opening and Closing Flag Retreats
At the beginning and end of every week, troops in attendance witness a high-quality flag ceremony performed by the Cole staff. A command is given and the scouts salute the flags. This is followed by a single cannon shot and finally, each flag is presented.
[edit] Flags Normally Presented
United States flag
Michigan state flag- Detroit Area Council Flag
- Cole Canoe Base Flag
- Normally if a troop comes to CCB from out-of-state their state flag will be flown along with the above listed flags.
- Additionally, if a scout troop or staffer is from a foreign country, that flag will also be flown, with the tradition being that the color guard will present the flag to the foreign scout in that scout's native language. However, the camp only has one flag pole, thus creating a controversy in flag etiquette, that is, that the flag of a sovereign nation should never be flown on the same pole (below) that of another.
[edit] Beast Feast
Beast Feast is a traditional festivity held every Monday evening in the Outdoor Skills program area. Every troop brings in a dish for everyone to try out. There are cooking awards in several areas, and the staff themselves prepare all kinds fo different foods, from pigeon to cookie dough to salmon.
[edit] Crafts on Fire
Crafts on Fire was introduced to Cole Canoe Base during Summer Camp 2006. Immediately after Beast Feast on Monday, scouts travel down the camp road to the Crafts Pavilion for art and craft activities by candlelight.
[edit] Vespers
Vespers is a service held on Sunday and Tuesday evening at the Michael Wearn Memorial Chapel or John Dumas Pavilion in case of inclement weather. Many scouts and staff attend both services.
[edit] Eco-Con Live
Eco Con Live is an outdoor activity that takes place Wednesday evenings at the Claycomb Ecology Conservation Center. The EcoCon Staff show various animals of the wild, and in the past there has been a falconer with his/her falcons.
[edit] L.O.S.T.
L.O.S.T. is an event also on Wednesday at Outdoor Skills that is subjected to Orienteering. An orienteering course is built within the area and scouts are given a variety of different team-building tasks. This was also introduced in 2006.
[edit] Scuba and Snorkeling
Scuba and Snorkeling are held at the Bosco Lake Aquatics Area. Experienced swimmers receive several days of lessons before heading out into the lake to view several sunken treasures, including a sailboat, canoe, kayak, and payphone sign (complete with phone).
[edit] Movie Night
Movie Night is an event that also falls on Wednesday. A movie is played for scouts and scoutmasters to enjoy. This program developed as part of a plan to host a campwide program in the event of a rainout Thursday night. Due to its popularity it was moved to a regular camp event in the summer of 2002.
[edit] Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Festival
The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Festival is a Thursday tradition. Down at Bosco Lake, activities such as a tomahawk throw and crosscut sawing competition occur. In previous years, a root beer chug has been included in the lumberjack events.
[edit] Ice Cream Social
The Ice Cream Social happens immediately following the lumberjack festival. This event takes place at the Wm. Kamman Administration Center. Scouts are able to choose from vanilla, chocolate, blue canoe (blue moon), and SuperGus ice cream. The grandest one of them all is the "Scoutmaster Special". This is a mountain full of every ice cream & toppings with a cherry on top.
[edit] River Rat Rodeo
River Rat Rodeo is Friday festivity that happens during midday. Troops compete in water activities such as war canoes, log rolling, canoe races, and rump bumps.
[edit] The Traditional Closing Campfire
The Traditional Closing Campfire is always the best celebration. All troops attend this campfire following the Closing Flag Retreat. The campfire gets, for the most part, bigger and better every year. The campfire is closed with a photo slideshow showcasing the fun the scouts had and a wonderful fireworks display. Troops prepare to head home the next morning.
[edit] Tradition Controversy
Every year, the camp has a pie-eating contest and root beer chugging contest. The Boy Scouts of America says that this tradition causes children to gain pounds or an overactive sugar consumption disorder. Due to this matter, the national council prohibits these activities from taking place any longer. The camp has phased out the Root Beer Guzzle, but the pie-eating contest remains in place, as does the Thursday night Ice Cream Social.
[edit] Geocaches
The Adventure Bhoys geocache squad hid six geocaches on the Cole grounds on June 27, 2007:
- Cache-ing Eco-Con 44deg 10.505 N 084 deg 04.224W
- Mad Skills Cache 44 deg 10.622N 084 deg 04.196W
- What is a Scout cache 44 deg 10.583 N 084 deg 04.060
- Island Overlook
- Sticks and Strings
- Log Wagon
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Official Cole Canoe Base Website
- Secondary Cole Canoe Base Website
- Edward N. Cole Canoe Base is at coordinates Coordinates:
[edit] References
- ^ Chutorash, Gus (2007). CCB-Summer-Camp-Leaders-Manual. Detroit Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.
- ^ Chutorash, Gus (2007). CCB-Summer-Camp-Leaders-Manual. Detroit Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
