Camp Song

Prominently displayed in the Camp Nooteeming Dining Hall for decades, the Camp Nooteeming anthem summarizes the spirit of carefree days of youth spent growing up amid the camp’s forests and hills. The Scouting community is perpetually indebted to Anson Wager, a Field Executive (now known as a District Executive) during the mid-1950s, for authoring the song. As Andy was a graduate of the University of Maine he used the tune from his alma mater's Maine Fight Song to carry the Nooteeming lyrics.

Camp Nooteeming Anthem

[Sung to the tune of the University of Maine Fight Song.]

Hail to Camp Nooteeming Boys,

Shout with the Mighty Chorous.

Stand and give a Shout once again,

Let every Loyal Scouter sing.

Think of all the Carefree Hours,

Think of all the Carefree Days,

Think of Dear Ol’ Camp Nooteeming,

And the Hills we love to Roam Always.

Long-time Dutchess County Scouter Bob Travis reports that in Camp Nooteeming’s early years a more comical song was sung by camp staff that touted Nooteeming’s successes in teaching Scout Skills. Both songs strike at the heart of what makes Camp Nooteeming special to countless generations: a home away from home where boys can be boys while learning to be men.

All The Scouts Of Camp Nooteeming

[sung to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic]

Oscar was a ten-year-old who came from my home town,

He couldn’t learn his Oath or Law,

His flag was upside down.

His clove hitch never hitched,

And his square knot was too round

Until he came to camp…

Refrain

All the Scouts of Camp Nooteeming

Pass their tests at Camp Nooteeming,

Earn their badges at Camp Nooteeming,

Dutchess County’s Boy Scout Camp.

His first aid was his worst aid,

And his signaling was a treat.

He always failed at his Scout pace,

‘cause he tangled up his feet.

His fires wouldn’t burn,

And so he had to eat raw meat

Until he came to camp…

Refrain

All the Scouts of Camp Nooteeming

Pass their tests at Camp Nooteeming,

Earn their badges at Camp Nooteeming,

Dutchess County’s Boy Scout Camp.

He couldn’t swim in bathtub,

And he couldn’t save a dime.

His hikes were mostly blisters,

And his map work was a crime.

He always forgot his poncho

And he called an oak a pine,

Until he came to camp…

Refrain

All the Scouts of Camp Nooteeming

Pass their tests at Camp Nooteeming,

Earn their badges at Camp Nooteeming,

Dutchess County’s Boy Scout Camp.