Camp Develompent

Walk around Camp Nooteeming. It is different today than it was yesterday and it will be different tomorrow. What was once the dining area is now a parking lot, what was once the parade ground is today a basketball court. Once the camp had a cluster of buildings with triple-stacked bunks named for the units who built them: Cabin 10, Cabin 16, Cabin 24, Cabin 33, Cabin 37, OA Cabin (formerly Cabin 27), today only Cabin 18 remains. Once the bay of the Lake adjacent to the current chapel was deep enough that a monkey bridge crossed it and campers would come from different sides and try to shake their opponent off so that he splashed into the waters below – today it is so shallow that even rowboats filled with smiling Scouts are restricted from it. No doubt the camp is already different today then the date this text was written.

Time changes Camp Nooteeming – sometimes just through wear and tear, sometimes through weather and storms and oftentimes we change it through camp development, improvement projects and through a lot of sweat and labor. We attempt here to chronicle the ever-changing face of Camp Nooteeming over the years and paint it’s history through a dateline of its buildings and program areas. We are well aware that this is an incomplete chronicle. We invite your memories to help flesh it out.

1926: Dutchess County Council purchases 95.4-acres in Salt Point and christens it Camp Nooteeming meaning "Men of the Woods."

1928: The dam is built and Lake Nooteeming is born. Campers rejoice at being able to swim in a lake as opposed to splashing around in the Wappingers Stream.

1933-1936: The camp’s many pine trees are planted through an effort led by the Civil Conservation Corps. Troop 37 from Hyde Park is among those groups aiding in the planting of the trees.

1938: Troop 37 constructs Cabin 37 and names it Twin Oaks. A careless hunter accidentally burns down the cabin during the 1940s.

195?: The dining hall is built. Seating capacity is 180 with a square footage of 4,000 square feet. Scouts and Scouters marvel at how nice it is to eat and cook in an enclosed building. Previously meals were prepared at the AB ( Administration Building) and eaten under a rain fly.

1956: The camp acquired an additional 80 acres bringing Camp Nooteeming to a total of 175.4 acres. It is unclear whether it is this land acquisition or the 1959 acquisition that was nicknamed the “New Property.” Story has it that when the Taconic State Parkway was expanded that the camp lost land on its northern boundary but was compensated with the “New Property.”

1957: A new Scout chapel known as “The Chapel in the Pines” is built by Nooteeming Lodge and later dedicated to Donald Osterhoudt, a past Nooteeming Lodge Advisor who died in 1959. The chapel was located to the northeast of the pine-paneled Kiwanis Lodge (then known as the Nature Lodge) and next to what was then the Sequoia campsite and is today (2005) the Mohawk Campsite.

1958: The OA Cabin came into being in preparation for the 1959 Area 2-A Conclave. Originally a partially finished cabin consisting of a roof and framing then known as Cabin 24, Nooteeming Lodge closed the cabin in, winterized it and converted it into a lodge office renaming it the OA Cabin. It was used as an office and to store their ceremonial regalia. The OA Cabin was located on the Taconic Road northeast of Cabin 18. Only the OA latrine remains today (2005). Although the exact dating is unclear Cabin 18 came into being in the same fashion when Troop 18 chartered to St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Poughkeepsie completed a partially constructed building. Troop 18 left their mark on Cabin 18 by imprinting a cross in the masonry of the Cabin 18 fireplace.

1959: Camp Nooteeming grows to 270 acres as a result of a 94.6-acre land acquisition. A 1959 pictorial map prepared for the Area 2-A OA Conclave lists four campsites: Iroquois in the field now used as the archery field (2005); “Onida” and Mohawk in the area today used as Oneida and the rifle range; Seneca where today Baden Powell Lodge sits and Sequioa located in what is today unused blow down area on one’s left at the bend in the road as one make’s their way towards Cabin 18 (AKA Blodgett Lodge or the craft lodge during summer camp). The handicraft building was located in today’s parking lot sitting between the currently still standing health lodge and administration building, which served as the trading post. A storage facility was located nearby the “rope area” of what is today known as Gilwell Field. The area behind what is today Cayuga campsite housed the camp’s rifle range. The big hill by the waterfront at the entrance to the camp was the “Scout Bowl” that permitted ceremonies involving costumed Arrowmen canoeing across the lake. The camper’s ring was opposite the shower-house (same location today) on the fire road just past Gilwell field. One traveled slightly further into the woods from the camper’s ring to reach the clandestine “Arrrow Ring” used as the initial ceremony ring of Nooteeming Lodge 443. The parade ground (now a basketball court) was within easy walking distance from the parking lot. The upper acreage of the camp known then as the “Camporee Area” contained multiple buildings that the 1959 map does not include. Veteran Dutchess County Scouters report that Cabin 33 was located on a rock outcropping in the northeastern most corner of the map near the Taconic State Parkway. Cabin 31 was also located here. Cabin 27 stood near the area where the Catskill Lean-tos exist today. Cabin 10 was built on top of “Flagpole Hill” that overlooks the modern day basketball court.

Late 1950s: The Benedict Memorial water fountain and pavilion is built to memorialize Bruce Benedict, a deceased Eagle Scout from Troop 24(?).

???: The dining hall undergoes renovation including the screening in of the porch and the adding of the fireplace and chimney. The fireplace was built and dedicated in memory of a Scout from Troop 25 from New Hackensack Dutch Reform Church named Jean Chamberlain, who died in an accident during a home construction in his development, falling down a staircase and onto a broken bottle and bleeding to death before help could arrive. A plaque dedicating the fireplace to his memory remains at camp.

1961: A major reforestation effort at Camp Nooteeming is undertaken with the Cedars and Red Pines being planted camp wide with Scotch Pine near the dining hall. Council units participate in the planting of 100 trees.

1962: The lawn in front of the health lodge is planted.

1965 – 1966: Cabins 214and 215 commonly referred to as the “rental cabins” are built behind the lake. Legend and lore suggests that the rental cabins were built to help attract quality camp and program directors during summer camp as it would give them a place for their families to reside while camp was in session.

1966: Camp parade grounds are improved upon.

1968: Gates are installed on the camp roadways.

Late 1960s: The pole barn is built for storage of camp tents and cots. Previously camp assets were stored in the dining hall during the winter.

???: Although the origin of the practice of naming latrines or when such designations when out of practice is unknown all the camp’s latrines had nicknames that were in use at least during the 1960s with signs announcing their designation hovering overhead. In 2005 the only surviving designation is “The White House” latrine adjacent to the rifle range. Then the still-standing latrine between Baden Powell and the AB was known as the “Sit ‘n Chat.” The sign above Mohawk’s latrine (now Oneida) advertised it as “Hernando’s Hide-Away.” A latrine in the Iroquois campsite was labeled “Duffy’s Tavern” and it’s sign read, “One for a nickel, two for a dime, come in for a short time.” The latrine that serviced Algonquin and Tuscorora campsites (today Cayuga and Seneca) was labeled “Hotel Algonquin” – a designation that mocked the glamorous New York City restaurant of the same name.

1969: The rifle range is renovated. OA volunteers joined by the masonry skills of a Millbrook family install a new spillway dam on a cold, wet and dreary November weekend.

1971: A new look is given to Camp Nooteeming – but history does not record what this new look is, perhaps the red-washed buildings??? Speculation is that it refers to destruction of the various remaining unit cabins (10, 27, 31, 33, OA) as this took place during a two-year period sometime between 1967 – 1972. The unit cabins were removed – beginning with Cabin 31 and 33 – as they were growing decrepit and would require much tender loving care to renovate. Instead money was poured into building Baden Powell Lodge on the hill above the AB and for the construction of the camp’s first Adirondack lean-tos. The Taconic Lean-tos were built first on the Taconic Lean-to Road that runs behind Cabin 18. The Hudson Lean-tos came next on the main road running towards the New Property ( Davis Road land acquisition). This period also saw an ambitious Master Plan prepared for Camp Nooteeming whose goals included a new four-acre lake in the backside of camp and a swimming pool. Despite never being acted upon the master plan called for moving the center of the camp to the back section.

1974: The canoe shed alongside the pole barn is built.

1982: The Order of the Arrow cuts and blazes the Red Trail tracing the camp’s perimeter.

1988: A flagpole is installed near the dining hall and dedicated to Charlie Faigle. Charlie Faigle had been a long-term chairman of the Nooteeming Camping Committee and widely seen as an “expert” on Camp Nooteeming lore and history.

1989: The Scout shower house is refurbished.

1990: The Berkshire Lean-tos receive a new latrine and wash sink.

1991: The barbeque pit is built behind the dining hall. The Papa Joe Bowl Scout Bowl is created on the hill behind Baden Powell Lodge. It was dedicated and named after Joe Crosier, a very important “go-to” man who regularly assisted the ranger at camp. Prior to this campfire programs were held on the sloped hill lakefront bowl.

1992: Nooteeming Lodge 443 tears down the previous two Catskill lean-tos and builds two new ones in their place. Additional lean-tos are added in 1999?, 2001? and 2003-2005.

1992: The staff site behind the dining hall was constructed. Originally named Tanakin (the Leni-Lenape name for Leader) it has also been known as Whispering Pines, Iroquois and most commonly Staff City.

1994: Tuscorora campsite is carved out of the dead pine trees at the end of the JLT field. New metal doors and rear steps are added to Baden Powell Lodge. The waterfront latrine receives a new wash sink while the Staff Showers receive toilet facilities and a privacy wall between it and the dining hall. The dining hall receives new screens, and new breezeway doors.

Mid-1990s: A series of storms cause many trees to fall at camp. Particularly hard hit is Mohawk and the wooded area next to it and the area surrounding the Dining Hall.

1995: Snowstorms collapse the Rangers Garage and Maintenance Building located across from the Rangers Cabin and the building is permanently removed. Snowstorms also collapse the roof on Metal Storage Building #2 leading to the installation of a new roof and trusses. The Health Lodge interior is completely redone creating a kitchen, sickbay, private bedroom and the installation of new doors and windows. Five new shower stalls with cement block walls and floor are added to the Camper Showers. The Dining Hall receives new windowsills. The archery lock-up receives a new roof, walls and door. The archery range latrine is abandoned. A handicap ramp is added to a tent platform in Oneida.

1996: The Camper Showers receive a new roof, changing room, door and privacy walls. The Administration Building front porch, and front porch roof supports are built. Gilwell Field receives three new flagpoles.

1997: Red Pines in camp were clear-cut and sold for a profit. The Big Bear Water Slide is first used at the dining hall hill to give campers a refreshing wet thrill ride.

1998: The waterfront latrine is moved from primarily servicing the Staff Area behind the dining hall to a location equidistant between the waterfront and dining hall. It’s size and capacity is increased with the installation of two septic tanks. A new septic tank, hot water heater stack and roof is added to the camper’s showers. The Cooks Cabin receives a new roof, septic vent and coat of paint. The roadway from Scout Road to the parking lot is widened. The dining hall kitchen floor and breezeway floor is epoxy coated; its walls are steam-cleaned and painted.

1999: The Kiwanis Lodge basement is remodeled. A new back porch, railing and steps are added to the Kiwanis Lodge. The health lodge septic system and tank is replaced. A new water tank building for well #5 is added and replaces the old tank.

2000: A new septic tank is added to the dining hall.

2001: The Order of the Arrow also replaces the benches in the Scout Bowl (once known as the Papa Joe Bowl) behind Baden Powell Lodge. Tent platforms are removed from the area next to Cabin 18 once known as Onondaga campsite and the site is abandoned. A flagpole is erected in the field above the nature pavilion dedicated to a deceased Eagle Scout from Troop 82.

2002: The Nooteeming Properties Committee oversees the paving of the camp road leading into the parking lot while grading, leveling and adding stone and drainage ditches to other major roadways. Funded by a National Rifle Association grant a safety retaining wall is built behind the rifle range. A three-year complete renovation of the ranger’s cabin is begun. A safety railing is added at the creek crossing on the main camp road between Kiwanis Lodge and Benedict Memorial. Lagrangeville’s Troop 82 builds a fifth lean-to at the Taconic lean-to site.

???: The staff shower house behind the dining hall receives a facelift.

2003: The Order of the Arrow replaces the benches in the waterfront chapel.

2004: Climbing comes to Camp Nooteeming via the construction of a horizontal climbing wall. A multi-year initiative to build up the Red Trail is begun with the construction of two bridges over stream crossings. A comprehensive campwide electrical upgrade starts. A modest gate is added to the camp entranceway.

2005: Opportunity Awaits Us and initiatives have already begun -- email Mike Kelsey (KelseyNPC@yahoo.com) to find out how you can participate and help make further history at Camp Nooteeming.